The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to assess terrorism threats posed by foreign terrorist organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists in major non-NATO ally (MNNA) countries. It mandates the submission of biennial assessments outlining terrorist activities, government efforts, DHS capabilities, and additional resources needed. The assessments will be classified but made available to Congress upon request. The bill also specifies definitions for terms such as "artificial intelligence," "critical and emerging technologies," and "foreign terrorist organization." It requires briefings to appropriate congressional committees and defines "major non-NATO ally" as per the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide Congress with an assessment of terrorism threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) present in countries operating or designated as major non-NATO allies.
The assessment must include various elements, including (1) an identification of each FTO or SDGT present in each ally, (2) a description of all activities of each such FTO or SDGT within each ally, and (3) a description of efforts by the government of each ally to disrupt or degrade the activities of each such FTO or SDGT.
There are currently 19 countries designated as major non-NATO allies (Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia). Additionally, while Taiwan is not designated as a major non-NATO ally, federal law provides that it be treated as one for certain purposes.
