Russia & China top threats; gangs, terrorists on the rise

• Russia remains a threat: Regardless of the outcome of the war in Ukraine, Russia continues to pose a serious threat to the USA, as emphasized in the American intelligence services report.
• China in a leading position: Alongside Russia, China is listed as one of the biggest threats, particularly in the context of cyberattacks and pressure on Taiwan.
• Criminal organizations: For the first time, the report indicates that gangs and terrorist organizations are a direct threat to the security of the USA.

According to the American intelligence services report, Russia will remain a threat to the USA regardless of the war in Ukraine's outcome. The document emphasizes that the Kremlin will continue to act against the West, using "gray zone" tactics like sabotage. Russia’s current geopolitical, economic, military, and domestic political trends underscore its resilience and enduring potential threat to U.S. power, presence, and global interests," the report stated.

China is also listed as one of the biggest threats to the USA, specifically concerning cyberattacks and pressure on Taiwan. The report suggests that Beijing will increase its activities in the Arctic, including in Greenland, and dominate the key minerals sector. "China has gradually increased engagement with Greenland mainly through mining projects, infrastructure development, and scientific research projects," the document stated.

In addition to state actors, the report mentions for the first time that gangs and terrorist organizations pose a direct threat to the USA. It was highlighted that terrorists and transnational criminal organizations directly threaten American citizens. The report also highlighted drug cartels, which are responsible for thousands of deaths in the USA due to synthetic opioids.