Beyond Operation Epic Fury: Protecting America's Security and Core Values in an Uncertain World

A Turning Point in America's Fight Against Terrorism

Operation Epic Fury may represent one of the most significant shifts in America's counterterrorism strategy in recent memory. By taking direct and decisive action against a state long recognized as a sponsor of terrorism — one that has endangered innocent civilians, including American citizens, for nearly five decades — President Donald Trump has signaled a bold new chapter in national security policy.

Yet bold action abroad does not guarantee safety at home. Intelligence officials and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, have already elevated their alert levels in anticipation of potential retaliatory strikes on U.S. soil. Neither Iran's proxies nor other terror organizations are expected to stand idle.

Reflecting on 25 Years Since September 11

The timing of these military operations is deeply significant. As the United States approaches the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the nation faces an important moment of reflection. How effectively has America defended itself since that devastating day? And are the country's intelligence and security institutions prepared for the threats that lie ahead?

A bipartisan congressional panel — chaired by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and co-chaired by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) — is currently examining how well the Intelligence Community has acted on the recommendations of the original 9/11 Commission. Their central question is whether America's security apparatus is genuinely equipped to handle the next 25 years of evolving threats.

The U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (PCLOB), created at the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission, is uniquely positioned to inform that conversation. Its mission is to ensure that national security efforts remain firmly grounded in respect for civil liberties and privacy rights. Based on that work, several critical priorities deserve serious attention.

Key Priorities for Defending America Going Forward

1. Keep Terrorism at the Center of National Security Strategy

The global focus has increasingly shifted toward great power competition with nations like China and Russia. While that competition is real and consequential, it must not come at the expense of counterterrorism readiness.

The fact that the United States has not suffered another large-scale mass casualty terrorist attack in 25 years is not coincidence or luck. It is the direct result of sustained military operations that dismantled terror networks overseas, combined with relentless behind-the-scenes work by law enforcement and intelligence professionals who have quietly foiled numerous plots. A new generation of counterterrorism specialists must be thoroughly trained and properly resourced to continue that work.

2. Prevent the Rebuilding of Information Silos

One of the most consequential failures leading up to September 11 was the existence of a bureaucratic barrier — commonly known as "the wall" — that prohibited the sharing of intelligence between FBI agents working on national security matters and those handling criminal investigations.

The 9/11 Commission documented a striking example: an agent attempting to locate two of the eventual hijackers was denied critical information by an intelligence analyst who believed the wall required such refusal. The agent's warning at the time proved tragically prophetic — someone would, indeed, die if that information was withheld.

Lawmakers and executive branch officials must remain vigilant that future counterterrorism regulations do not inadvertently recreate these dangerous information barriers in a new form.

3. Anticipate and Prepare for Emerging Terrorist Tactics

The September 11 hijackers succeeded in part because they exploited a method of attack that security planners had never seriously considered — turning commercial aircraft into guided missiles. Prior assumptions about hijackings focused on hostage scenarios or onboard explosions, leaving a catastrophic blind spot.

That lesson must not be forgotten. Today's threat landscape includes dangers that were unimaginable a decade ago: drone-based attacks on critical infrastructure, AI-powered cyberterrorism, and the potential for bioterrorism enabled by advancing technology. Complacency about the creativity and adaptability of terrorist organizations is itself a national security risk.

4. Maintain Public Transparency About Intelligence Programs

Effective intelligence work is, by necessity, largely conducted in secret. However, the United States has consistently led the world — including many democratic allies — in providing the public with meaningful information about how its intelligence programs operate.

This transparency reflects American values and sustains public confidence in the institutions responsible for national security. PCLOB contributed significantly to this goal in 2025, releasing five public reports — its most productive output on record — covering topics such as the Terrorist Watchlist and the FBI's use of open-source intelligence. Continued and expanded transparency, including honest accounts of both successes and shortcomings, strengthens rather than undermines national security.

5. Embrace Technology Without Sacrificing Civil Liberties

Advancing technology offers powerful tools for counterterrorism — but only if those tools are developed and deployed with privacy protections built in from the start.

As one example, PCLOB staff reviewed the TSA's facial recognition program at airport security checkpoints and found it to be a well-structured initiative that meaningfully reduces privacy risks in its current form. This model demonstrates that security and civil liberties need not be in opposition.

The same principle applies to the expanding role of artificial intelligence in counterterrorism operations. AI has enormous potential to enhance threat detection and response — provided it is designed and governed responsibly, with clear safeguards against misuse or overreach.

Balancing Security and Principles: The Ongoing Challenge

As Congress looks back across 25 years of counterterrorism efforts, the core question is whether America's intelligence community has genuinely learned from the failures that allowed September 11 to happen — and whether those lessons have been applied in ways consistent with the values upon which the nation was founded.

The threats ahead are real, evolving, and in some cases unprecedented. Meeting them will require not only strength and vigilance, but also wisdom, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the balance between liberty and security that defines the American character.