Skip to main content
TWI logo The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
logo
wordmark
Homepage

Main navigation

  • Analysis
  • Experts
  • About
  • Support
  • Maps & Multimedia
Trending:
  • Military and Security
  • Terrorism
  • U.S. Policy
  • North Africa
  • Gulf States
  • Iran

Regions & Countries

  • Egypt
  • Iraq
  • Iran
  • Gulf States
  • Israel
  • Palestinians
  • Lebanon
  • North Africa
  • Turkey
  • Jordan
  • Syria
  • Middle East

Issues

  • Arab and Islamic Politics
  • Democracy and Reform
  • Military and Security
  • U.S. Policy
  • Gulf and Energy Policy
  • Energy and Economics
  • Proliferation
  • Terrorism
  • Arab-Israeli Relations
  • Peace Process
TWI English
TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية TWI Persian: فارسی Fikra Forum

Breadcrumb

  • Policy Analysis
  • Series

Militia Spotlight

Militia Spotlight uses open source monitoring to:
UNDERSTAND the objectives, structure, and activity of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria;
EXPOSE militia information operations and disinformation campaigns;
IDENTIFY linkages between groups and with Iran to increase accountability; and
DENY anonymity and deniability to Iran-backed militias.

Articles in this Series

Brief Analysis
How to Use Militia Spotlight
Militia Spotlight
Militia Spotlight provides rapid high-quality analysis and contextualization of militia activities in Iraq and Syria.
Feb 10, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
Brief Analysis
“Pylon-Gate”: Reconstruction of a Muqawama Disinformation Operation
Militia Spotlight
On January 20, 2021, the KH-affiliated media group called Unit 10,000 first planted disinformation about a non-existent U.S. airstrike, stoked the story, and then tried to remove its fingerprints from the origin of this 'fake news'.
Feb 12, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
Brief Analysis
The Leaders of Kataib Hezbollah’s Youth Strategy
Militia Spotlight
Major muqwama militias are working to expand their youth recruitment operations in Iraq. Kataib Hezbollah's Sharia Youth Gathering is leading the way.
Feb 15, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
Brief Analysis
Harakat al-Nujaba Identifies with the Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee
Militia Spotlight
What to make of HaN spokesperson Nasr al-Shammari's admission that his militia is a member of the Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee?
Feb 28, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
Brief Analysis
The Tuna and Noodles Saga: Findings from a War of Words Between Militias
Militia Spotlight
Bitter squabbles between the social media platforms of two competing Iraqi militias February 22-23 offer insights into the movements and their relationship.
Mar 3, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
Brief Analysis
The Erbil Rocket Cell: Insights from Haidar Hamza al-Bayati's Confession
Militia Spotlight
What we learned about the detainee and his description of being recruited by Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada.
Mar 7, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
Brief Analysis
KH Publicly Leads Calls for Escalation Against U.S.
Militia Spotlight
After being struck by the U.S., Kataib Hezbollah dropped the pretense of the coordination committee and acted unilaterally.
Mar 7, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
Brief Analysis
A Return to the Convoy Strategy & Projection of Unity
Militia Spotlight
The muqawama are trying to put squabbles over the utility of convoy bombings behind them and are making a concerted attempt to demonstrate inter- and intra-group unity.
Mar 15, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith

Sign Up for Updates on Militia Spotlight

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, podcasts, and special reports.

Sign up

Background image with TWI branding
logo
wordmark
Homepage

1111 19th Street NW - Suite 500
Washington D.C. 20036
Tel: 202-452-0650
Fax: 202-223-5364

Footer contact links

  • Contact
  • Press Room

The Washington Institute seeks to advance a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them.

The Institute is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax-deductible.

Footer quick links

  • About TWI
  • Support the Institute

Social media

  • The Washington Institute on Facebook facebook
  • The Washington Institute on Twitter twitter
  • The Washington Institute on YouTube youtube
  • The Washington Institute on Soundcloud soundcloud

© 2021 All rights reserved.

Footer

  • Employment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rights & Permissions