FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on Terrorism Threats from Africa

Original title: TERRORISM IN AFRICA: THE IMMINENT THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES

January 1, 2015

terrorism national security Africa counterterrorism foreign policy

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as a formal legislative review of U.S. national security policy regarding terror threats originating in Africa, which directly influences federal counterterrorism funding and strategic military or intelligence priorities.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The agency is responsible for implementing counterterrorism strategies discussed by the subcommittee.

U.S. Citizens

The hearing addresses potential threats to the safety of the U.S. homeland and American interests abroad.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2015.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House on Counterterrorism and Intelligence held a hearing on April 29, 2015, to examine the threat posed by Islamist terror groups in Africa to the United States. Lawmakers and expert witnesses discussed the need for a more robust U.S. counterterrorism strategy to protect American interests and the homeland.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on April 29, 2015, in the Cannon House Office Building.
The session was the second hearing of the 114th Congress for the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Chairman Peter T. King stated that the U.S. lacks an appropriate counterterrorism strategy for the African continent.
The hearing focused on the spread of Islamist terror ideology in Africa and its potential impact on U.S. interests.
The committee cited historical attacks in Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, and Kenya as evidence of the threat.
The committee referenced documents from Osama bin Laden's compound indicating interest in African operatives for Western attacks.
The committee referenced the 2009 attempted attack on a U.S.-bound plane by a Nigerian national directed by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

To raise awareness and discuss the threats posed by the spread of Islamist terror ideology in Africa to the United States.

Who testified at the hearing?

Dr. J. Peter Pham (Atlantic Council), Mr. Thomas Joscelyn (Foundation for Defense of Democracies), and Dr. Daniel Byman (Brookings Institute).

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on African Theater

The hearing marks a specific legislative effort in 2015 to pivot counterterrorism focus toward the African continent.

Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

Connected Entities

personThomas Joscelyn“Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, witness”Map →

personDaniel Byman“Research Director at the Brookings Institute, witness”Map →

personPeter T. King“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence”Map →

personJ. Peter Pham“Director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, witness”Map →

organizationSubcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence“Subcommittee of the House Committee on Homeland Security”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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