Experts Question Lack of Terrorism Advisories After Recent Attacks

Terrorism experts suggest recent incidents at Temple Israel and a Virginia university may prompt more public DHS alerts.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:03pm

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After separate incidents at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia that may be linked to terrorism, the website for the nation's public alert system on terror threats still lists "no current advisories." Some terrorism experts suggest the incidents may prompt the Department of Homeland Security to issue public alerts, especially with the ongoing war with Iran. However, DHS is facing leadership changes and funding issues that may be affecting their ability to maintain the alert system.

Why it matters

The lack of public terrorism advisories raises questions about how the government is balancing politics and security concerns, especially with a change in DHS leadership and ongoing tensions with Iran. Experts suggest the public alerts are meant to heighten awareness, but the publicity around them could also inspire more attacks.

The details

In the recent incidents, a suspect drove a truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, partially burning the synagogue, and a gunman opened fire at Old Dominion University in Virginia, killing two people including an Army ROTC officer. These attacks followed a deadly shooting in Austin, Texas earlier in the month that authorities said had indicators of a potential terrorism link. However, the website for the National Terrorism Advisory System still shows "no current advisories." Experts suggest DHS may be hesitant to issue public alerts due to concerns about stoking political opposition to the unpopular war with Iran.

  • On March 12, 2026, a suspect drove a truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
  • Also on March 12, 2026, a gunman opened fire at Old Dominion University in Virginia, killing two people.
  • Earlier in March 2026, a deadly shooting occurred in Austin, Texas that authorities said had potential terrorism links.

The players

Richard Chasdi

A former adjunct professor at Wayne State University who is now a lecturer at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Javed Ali

A professor at the University of Michigan and an expert on counterterrorism.

Gary Peters

A U.S. Senator from Michigan and the ranking member of the Senate's Homeland Security Committee.

Kristi Noem

The former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security who was recently dismissed.

Markwayne Mullin

A Republican U.S. Senator from Oklahoma who has been nominated to replace Kristi Noem as the new DHS Secretary.

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What they’re saying

“I'm thinking they are going to have to respond to this.”

— Richard Chasdi, Lecturer, George Washington University (freep.com)

“Clearly, with the war going on, the risk for a terrorist attack has increased, and we always have to worry about the terrorist threat but the war could very well mean copycat folks that are going to use this as a pretext to commit violence.”

— Gary Peters, U.S. Senator from Michigan (WDIV Local 4)

“How much is this now, not just the shutdown, but leadership turmoil at DHS? Regardless of who the secretary has been or will be in the future, is this the right thing to do, versus political considerations inside the White House or even in the department.”

— Javed Ali, Professor, University of Michigan (freep.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case of the suspect in the Temple Israel attack will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the suspect out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges facing the Department of Homeland Security in maintaining a clear and consistent public alert system for terrorism threats, especially amidst leadership changes, funding issues, and political considerations around the ongoing war with Iran.