Our mortal enemies are already here - will we just sit and wait for the next atrocity?

The smoke has barely cleared from the horrific attack on a Michigan synagogue, and already an uncomfortable question is mounting - could the same terror that struck at the heart of a Michigan town soon visit the streets of London, Manchester, or Birmingham?

The answer, tragically, is all too clear. The attack on the Jewish cultural centre - which included a children's nursery - carried out by a man who reportedly lost family in the Israel-Gaza conflict and apparently sought twisted "revenge", is a chilling reminder that the poison of extremism knows no borders.

In our interconnected world, the hatreds and grievances that fuel violence in the Middle East can all too easily inspire atrocities in the heart of the West.

But perhaps the most uncomfortable question of all is this: if such an attack were to happen on British soil, would it be enough to rouse our nation from its slumber when it comes to confronting our mortal foes?

Sadly, the evidence suggests not. Time and again, we've seen the UK's justice system show a staggering leniency towards those who seek to do us harm.

Take the case of Usman Khan, the Fishmongers' Hall attacker. In 2019, Khan was out on automatic early release for a terrorism conviction when he killed two people and injured three others.

Or consider Sudesh Amman, the Streatham attacker. Amman was released early after serving only half of a three-year sentence for terror offences. Just days later, he stabbed two people on a busy London street.

These are not isolated incidents. In recent years, the UK has faced a prison capacity crisis that has seen even terror-adjacent offenders caught up in early release schemes designed to ease overcrowding.

In the face of such a clear and present danger, one might expect a zero-tolerance approach. Instead, we've seen a revolving door of leniency and half-measures.

This soft touch extends to entire state-sponsored networks. For years the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been allowed to operate with near impunity in the UK, spreading its tentacles through a web of so-called "cultural centres" and charities. The IRGC has plotted at least 20 foiled attacks in recent years, radicalised our youth, and sown the seeds of terror on our streets.

MI5 has warned repeatedly of the growing threat, revealing a staggering 48% increase in investigations into hostile state activity, primarily from Iran and Russia. Just last week, days after Israel and the US attacked Iran, four men were arrested for allegedly surveilling Jewish targets on behalf of Iranian intelligence. Yet, despite this clear and present danger, the IRGC is still not designated as a terrorist organisation under UK law.

Even when our allies take a stand, we hesitate.

The EU has already proscribed the IRGC, recognising it as the terrorist group it is, the US did so in 2019. But Britain, fearing the diplomatic fallout or intelligence consequences, chooses to lag behind.

The tragedy is that even a massive terror strike on our soil likely wouldn't be enough to force us to confront our enemies head on. There would be mourning, yes, and anger, and vows of "never again". But when the smoke clears and the headlines fade, would our leaders truly have the courage to do what's necessary?

Would they shut down the IRGC's UK operations, freeze their assets, and treat them like the terrorists they are? Would they confront Iran, Russia, and other hostile states with unwavering resolve? Would they lock up murderously lethal terrorists for life? Or would they settle back into the same pattern of appeasement, weakness, inaction, and denial?

Whatever the answer, the truth is we cannot afford to wait for the next attack to shake us from our stupor.

The time to act is now, before more blood is spilled on our streets.