Every lethal terrorist attack in the United States since 9/11 has

The words of Peter Bergen strike with the clarity and weight of reason: “Every lethal terrorist attack in the United States since 9/11 has been carried out by an American citizen or a legal permanent resident, not by recent immigrants or by refugees. So tamping down immigration won't fix the real issue, which is 'homegrown' terrorism.” Within this statement lies a sobering truth: that fear is often misdirected, that the enemies we imagine from afar may pale compared to the dangers that arise within, from those we claim as our own. Bergen speaks not only as a scholar of terrorism but as a seer of human patterns, reminding us that violence and radicalization are not imported alone, but bred in the soil of alienation, grievance, and ideology.

The origin of this insight comes from Bergen’s decades of work in analyzing terror networks and radicalized individuals in the United States. His research dispels a common misconception: that immigrants and refugees are inherently a threat. On the contrary, the data show that homegrown terrorism — attacks carried out by those who were born, raised, and nurtured in the United States — has caused the greatest harm since 9/11. This distinction is vital, for it points to the real root of violence: alienation, ideology, and radicalization within communities that otherwise appear familiar and safe.

In the annals of history, societies have often feared outsiders more than insiders. In ancient Rome, for example, foreign invaders were blamed for unrest, while domestic conspiracies — such as those plotted by Senators against Julius Caesar — were overlooked until catastrophe struck. Bergen’s observation mirrors this ancient wisdom: the true threat lies not always beyond the gates, but within, nurtured by resentment, ideology, or the failings of society to integrate and educate its citizens. The lesson is timeless: fear misapplied blinds wisdom.

Consider the case of Timothy McVeigh, who carried out the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. A citizen of the United States, his rage was homegrown, fueled by his disillusionment and extremist ideology. McVeigh’s attack, like others Bergen identifies, was not imported; it emerged from the heart of the society he knew. His story exemplifies Bergen’s point that focusing solely on immigration diverts attention from the real task: understanding the domestic factors that cultivate radicalization, and addressing the grievances, ideologies, and networks that turn citizens against their own people.

Bergen’s words also speak to the broader human tendency to simplify danger. It is easier to fear strangers than to confront the possibility that those closest to us, those we trust and raise, can be swayed toward violence. The ancients, too, warned of this peril: in Greek tragedies, the hero is often undone not by the enemy at the gates, but by betrayal from within. Bergen’s modern reflection is a continuation of this wisdom — that prevention of violence begins with understanding, not scapegoating.

Yet, Bergen’s insight is not merely analytical; it is a call to action. To prevent homegrown terrorism, societies must cultivate vigilance, education, community cohesion, and the recognition of early warning signs. Policies that restrict immigration may satisfy fear, but they do not address the seeds of domestic radicalization: alienation, extremism, and unchecked ideological influence. Bergen reminds us that true security requires confronting the uncomfortable truth that danger can flourish within familiar walls, and that moral clarity is necessary to target it effectively.

The lesson is therefore profound: do not confuse fear with wisdom. Protect your communities, yes, but do so with knowledge and insight rather than prejudice. Understand the mechanisms of radicalization, reach out to those who feel alienated, and strengthen the bonds that tie citizens to one another. Bergen’s research teaches that when we address the real sources of violence, we do not merely protect the nation — we cultivate a society resilient in both justice and understanding.

So let the words of Peter Bergen echo across generations: the enemy is not always the stranger, and the solution is not always exclusion. True security lies in discernment, vigilance, and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths at home. For only by understanding the roots of homegrown terrorism can a society defend both its people and its principles, ensuring that fear does not corrupt wisdom and that justice prevails over misdirected suspicion.