The Cipher Brief

ISIS Reawakens: Bondi Beach Attack Signals a New Terror Threat

A deadly attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December 2025 is forcing a global reassessment of the ISIS threat. In this episode of State Secrets, Suzanne Kelly speaks with terrorism experts Levi West and Andrew Zammit to break down what made this attack different - and more dangerous. Unlike past ISIS-inspired incidents, the Bondi attack involved months of planning, coordinated execution, and clear alignment with evolving ISIS strategy. The conversation explores how ISIS is adapting: leveraging global events like the Gaza conflict, expanding its propaganda reach through English-language messaging, and blurring the line between “inspired” and “directed” attacks. The result is a more complex, harder-to-detect threat environment - at a time when counterterrorism resources are stretched and global priorities are shifting. What you’ll learn: - Why the Bondi attack marks a turning point in modern terrorism - How ISIS propaganda is driving more sophisticated attacks - What Western intelligence agencies may be missing - Why the threat is resurging despite claims ISIS was “defeated” Subscribe to The Cipher Brief for more expert-driven national security insights. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Why the Bondi Attack Matters 01:00 – What Made This Attack Different 03:10 – Scale, Sophistication, and Planning 04:40 – Is ISIS Really “Degraded”? 06:00 – The Role of Propaganda & Global Events 07:30 – Gaza’s Impact on ISIS Strategy 10:00 – Inspired vs. Directed Attacks: A False Divide? 13:00 – The Global Terror Ecosystem Explained 14:30 – What U.S. and European Agencies Are Learning 17:00 – Intelligence Gaps vs. Inherent Challenges 20:30 – How Attackers Avoid Detection 22:40 – Key Takeaways: What Comes Next 24:45 – Final Thoughts