Australia Raises Terror Threat Level to Probable

Australia has raised its terrorism threat level from 'possible' to 'probable', indicating a greater than 50% chance of an attack within the next 12 months, following a rise in extremist views and violence among Australians. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the influence of geopolitical tensions, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict, on domestic radicalization and community polarization. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) reported a notable increase in youth radicalization and the adoption of diverse extremist ideologies, which complicates threat identification. ASIO's Director-General Mike Burgess emphasized that politically motivated violence is now among the top security concerns, alongside espionage and foreign interference. The government reassured citizens that there is no specific imminent threat identified but urged vigilance against suspicious activities. This marks the first elevation of the threat level since November 2022, reflecting an ongoing global trend towards increased political violence.