On February 17, 2015 the Inter-?University Center for Terrorism Studies (IUCTS) published its sixth annual report, “Terrorism in North Africa and the Sahel in 2014,” authored by Prof. Yonah Alexander, Director-?IUCTS. The report finds the region & global community facing the most serious security challenges since 9/11, from natural and man-?made threats ranging from Ebola to extremism. The rise of the so-?called 'Islamic State' and resilience of al-?Qaida & affiliates contributed to a 25% jump in terrorist attacks in N. Africa & the Sahel in 2014, the highest level since 9/11. The study recommends the US & allies engage more effectively to slow a security crisis that is erupting across Africa’s “arc of instability."