Lone-Wolf Attacks Surge in the West Amid Global Spread of Terrorism

The West saw a dramatic surge in lone-wolf terrorist attacks in 2024, marking a troubling shift as terrorism continues to spread worldwide. The findings come from the newly released 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report.

According to the GTI, the number of countries experiencing a terrorist attack jumped from 58 in 2023 to 66 in 2024, reversing nearly a decade of progress in combating terrorism. In the West, a staggering 93% of fatal attacks were committed by lone-wolf perpetrators.

"The majority of Western attacks are now carried out by individuals without formal group affiliations, who radicalize through social media, gaming platforms, and encrypted messaging apps," the report stated. The internet has become a breeding ground for extremism, with online algorithms funneling users toward progressively extreme content. Imagine scrolling for memes and ending up in a radical rabbit hole—terrifying in its simplicity.

The GTI report also highlighted how the shift to online radicalization has made it easier for potential terrorists to access extremist ideologies with minimal physical contact. It’s a chilling reminder of how the digital age can foster both connection and chaos.

On the same day the report was released, U.S. authorities arrested Mohammad Sharifullah, an ISIS-K operative accused of scouting the attack route for the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan. The bombing claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members in a tragic reminder of the ongoing global threat of terrorism.

Sharifullah appeared in federal court in Virginia on Wednesday, facing charges of providing and conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, ultimately resulting in death. He was extradited to the U.S. on Tuesday night, with FBI Director Kash Patel declaring, "Justice for our 13." It may have taken over three years, but sometimes justice runs on its own clock.

President Donald Trump, during his address to Congress on Tuesday night, announced Sharifullah’s capture, calling him "the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity." The announcement underscores the persistent efforts of global counterterrorism forces, even amid the grim reality of escalating attacks.