Monday, March 9, 2026
Welcome to T&M Edge
Fast-moving events can reshape the security landscape overnight – whether oceans away or in our streets. In these times, staying informed is more than an advantage; it is a necessity. That’s why T&M is pleased to launch T&M Edge, a newsletter that delivers timely and actionable insights for busy security professionals like you.
Each edition of T&M Edge will dissect the security consequences of major events, from geopolitical shifts to cyberattacks, from natural disasters to workplace violence.
When we highlight an event or trend in T&M Edge, it’s a heads-up worth your time and attention because exploring security implications today could safeguard your operations tomorrow.
Why T&M Edge?
- Curated Analysis
- Concise Takeaways
- Valuable Insights
- Practical Strategies
- Expert Perspectives
- Best Practices
As we know, staying safe in today’s world takes more than reacting. It requires information/intel, preparation, and action. T&M Edge will help identify patterns and help you plan appropriately. T&M Edge will explore how events at home and abroad may impact your business or community and offer proactive steps to address emerging threats.
We look forward to navigating the future with you.
Remain Vigilant,
George Sax, Chief Security Officer, T&M USA LLC
ISIS-INSPIRED TERRORISM – NEW YORK CITY
T&M Edge Perspective:
Authorities are investigating an “act of ISIS-inspired terrorism” in New York City, which has already been on a heightened state of alert since the hostilities in Iran.
Two teenagers from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, were charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction after trying to detonate two homemade bombs Saturday afternoon, March 7, near Gracie Mansion, the New York City Mayor’s official residence. Their improvised explosive devices (IEDs) failed to ignite, although one was filled with triacetone triperoxide or TATP – “a dangerous and highly volatile home-made explosive that has been used in IED attacks around the world,” said New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
The suspects, Emir Balat, 18, a high school senior, and Ibrahim Qays Kayumi, 19, claimed allegiance to ISIS and said they watched ISIS videos online, according to a five-count federal criminal complaint against them, unsealed today by the Southern District of New York. 1
News reports say there is no indication to date that Balat and Kayumi were part of a larger plot or had accomplices. Commissioner Tisch said there is no evidence that the pair was motivated by the ongoing war in Iran.
The suspects were part of a chaotic scene near Gracie Mansion on Saturday afternoon. An anti-Muslim protest led by far-right activist Jack Lang, a pardoned January 6th defendant, was met by a larger contingent of counter-protesters. Before the IEDs were thrown, a Lang follower was charged with pepper-spraying the counter-protesters. The mayor and his wife were not home at the time.
Balat (l) throwing the first device, and with Kayumi moments before he handed off the second device,
per pictures included in the criminal complaint against them.
Neither suspect has a criminal record, police said. Balat is a senior at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, PA. His parents are Turkish immigrants who became naturalized US citizens in 2017, and he is a US citizen. When arrested, he was carrying a Pennsylvania driver’s license and a Turkish government identification card. According to news reports, he traveled to Turkey as recently as January 2026 and for several months in 2025.
Kayumi is a 2024 graduate of Council Rock High School North in Newtown Township, PA. A son of Afghanistani immigrants, his mother became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2009, his father in 2004. According to news reports, Kayumi has an extensive record of travel in the Middle East, including travel to Turkey and Saudi Arabia in 2024.
The pair drove to Manhattan with a third suspicious device, which was found in a car parked a few blocks from Gracie Mansion, according to the complaint. Inside the vehicle, authorities found “a hobby fuse, an empty metal can,” and a notebook filled with information about bomb making ingredients like “hydrogen peroxide,” “sulfuric acid,” and “acetone.”
Although the overall risk to the public remains statistically low, T&M recommends maintaining heightened awareness around protests, high-profile events, and locations with strong political or religious symbolism. In line with official guidance, practical risk-mitigation efforts should focus on awareness and reporting rather than attempting to predict specific attacks. Individuals should monitor their surroundings, trust their instincts about suspicious behavior such as possible surveillance activity, unattended bags, or explicit threats, and report concerns promptly to law enforcement. Organizations or individuals affiliated with communities that may be perceived as symbolic targets include houses of worship, diaspora organizations, civic groups, and institutions with visible ties to the United States or Israel. These groups should ensure that emergency response plans are current, conduct basic security walk-throughs of facilities, and maintain readily available contact information for local law enforcement. While these measures cannot eliminate risk, they can significantly reduce the likelihood that an opportunistic attacker will succeed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact T&M USA LLC. 212 422-0000; tmusallc.com; info@tmusallc.com.
NEWS COVERAGE
2 Men Charged With Supporting ISIS in Gracie Mansion Attack
“Federal prosecutors say that both men cited the Islamic State after they were arrested, and one said he wanted to cause more damage than the Boston Marathon bombing. No one was injured in the incident on Saturday.” NYTimes
Suspected terrorist defiantly flashes ISIS salute after he’s busted for tossing explosive device near Gracie Mansion
“One of the accused terrorists busted for lobbing explosive devices near Gracie Mansion flashed a sick salute honoring ISIS as he was led in shackles from a police precinct Monday. Emir Balat, 18, was seen holding up his right index finger — a universal salute for the terror group — and grinning at the press while being led by a cop and an FBI agent.” NYPost
What We Know About the ‘ISIS-Inspired’ Bombing Incident Outside Gracie Mansion
“Balat and Kayumi were officially indicted on five federal counts in connection to the incident including charges of use of a weapon of mass destruction, transportation of explosive materials, and unlawful possession of destructive devices among others. The pair appeared in federal court Monday afternoon for their arraignments. In the criminal complaint, investigators said both suspects made references to ISIS in their post-arrest statements with Kayumi telling officers that he had watched ISIS propaganda on his phone and had been partially inspired by the group to perpetuate his actions Saturday. Balat was asked if he was attempting something similar to the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 and he reportedly responded, ‘No, even bigger. It was only three deaths.’” NYMagazine
Explosives thrown near NYC mayor’s home being investigated as ‘ISIS-inspired’ terrorism, officials say: The objects thrown near Zohran Mamdani’s official home were “improvised explosive devices made to injure, maim or worse,” New York City’s police commissioner said.
“Kayumi and Balat ‘have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS,’ Mayor Mamdani said in a statement. ‘They should be held fully accountable for their actions. We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city.’
Authorities do ‘not have information that connects this investigation to what is going on overseas in Iran,’ New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a Monday news conference, referring to the U.S. and Israeli joint military offensive there.
Tisch said the objects thrown Saturday during an anti-Islam demonstration and counterprotest near Gracie Mansion, the mayor’s official residence, were ‘improvised explosive devices made to injure, maim or worse.’” NBCNews
Bucks County teens charged with terrorism in NYC IED attack
“Two Bucks County teens are facing multiple terrorism felony charges, including use of a weapon of mass destruction in an alleged ‘ISIS-inspired’ terrorism plot outside the home of the New York City Mayor.” BucksCountyCourierTimes