Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Houthi drone aircraft on display in Yemen - source: Reuters

Under Fire in the Bab al-Mandab: Houthi Military Capabilities and U.S. Response Options

The group is using a wide range of weapons and tactics to escalate its disruption of regional maritime security, establishing selective sea denial against Israeli vessels seeking passage through the strait and threatening U.S. warships that show up to protect them.

Dec 8, 2023

◆

Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

Containing the Houthis in Yemen: Issues and Options for the Policy Review

During the Gaza war, Houthi militia forces have emerged as the most risk-acceptant member of Iran's "axis of resistance" and a demonstrated menace to international freedom of navigation.

Dec 5, 2023

◆

Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Articles & Testimony

Iran-Backed Attacks on Ships in the Red Sea Underscore a U.S. Dilemma

Given the lack of a decisive U.S. response, further clashes will likely arise in strategically crucial waterways whenever Tehran sees fit to nudge the Houthis.

Dec 4, 2023

◆

Simon Henderson

Funeral for KH operator, November 23, 2023

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Kataib Hezbollah Publicly Mocks Asaib Ahl al-Haq for Cowardice

After AAH officials sought a halt to the verbal attacks, KH doubled down with a cutting public insult.

Nov 30, 2023

◆

Ameer al-Kaabi
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Rayan al-Kildani Faces Election Backlash in the Months After Wedding Hall Fire

Nov 29, 2023

◆

Yaqoub Beth-Addai

◆ Militia Spotlight

A masked Hamas fighter brandishes a rifle in Gaza - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Road to October 7: Hamas’ Long Game, Clarified

An in-depth look at the group’s post-2007 activities confirms that it was steadily preparing the ground (and the population) for war while lulling foreign officials into awaiting a moderation that would never come.

Oct-Nov 2023

◆

Devorah Margolin
Matthew Levitt

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (19th PMF Brigade)

One of the top Iraqi proxies for Iran's IRGC-Qods Force, this Sadrist breakaway faction has long garrisoned the Syrian border and killed Iraqi protesters to demonstrate its loyalty.

Nov 27, 2023

◆

Ameer al-Kaabi
Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh greets Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran in June 2023 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Hamas-Iran Relationship

As details emerge of potential direct links to the attack on Israel, one thing is clear: Hamas would not have been able to plan and conduct such an operation without years of Iranian training, Iranian weapons, and hundreds of millions of dollars in Iranian funding.

Nov 2023

◆

Matthew Levitt

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militia Hair-Pulling Over Who Are "The Truest Muqawama"

Amid their ceasefire in solidarity with events in Gaza, Iraqi "resistance" leaders went back to their old habits of diminishing each other and spilling their secrets, with interesting results.

Nov 26, 2023

◆

Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Photo of a blast wall with a drone mural at al-Asad Air Base in Iraq.

Video

Brief Analysis

Iranian Escalation in Iraq and Syria: Implications and U.S. Options

Four experts discuss what Washington can do about the latest spike in militia attacks against U.S. bases and local partners—even as they try to sustain the counterterrorism mission against the Islamic State.

Nov 17, 2023

◆

Michael Knights
Wladimir van Wilgenburg
Devorah Margolin
Andrew J. Tabler

Maps & Graphics

Articles & Testimony

OFAC Designates Iraqi Militiamen (Part 2): KSS and Abu Ala al-Walai

Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada's designation for terrorist activities is long overdue, reflecting its important ongoing role in attacks on U.S. forces in northern Iraq and eastern Syria.

Nov 17, 2023

◆

Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

KH facilities in Syria under attack December 2019

Maps & Graphics

Articles & Testimony

OFAC Designates Iraqi Militiamen (Part 1): Kataib Hezbollah Commanders

Washington has signaled that its patience is wearing thin with the group's pivotal role in two dozen attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria in a month.

Nov 17, 2023

◆

Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Liwa Abu Fadhal al-Abbas social media flag

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Liwa Abu Fadl al-Abbas

One of the most well-established Iraqi volunteer militias to fight for Iran and the Assad regime, both in the Syrian civil war and during various anti-U.S. actions.

Nov 16, 2023

◆

Abdullah Hayek

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Jewish Extremist Violence in the West Bank Could Trigger a Second Front

The combination of highly motivated young extremists on the ground, supportive far-right politicians back home, and ineffective local security measures may stoke a full-scale uprising if authorities continue to look the other way.

Nov 16, 2023

◆

Neomi Neumann

Articles & Testimony

Explaining Recruitment to Extremism: A Bayesian Hierarchical Case-Control Approach

A study on who joins extremist and terrorist movements and why, offering new quantitative methods to approach the problem.

Nov 16, 2023

◆

Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

ICCT Interview on Hamas

A conversation on the group’s strategic pivot, internal debates, hostage calculations, postwar prospects, and more.

Nov 8, 2023

◆

Devorah Margolin

Articles & Testimony

What Is Hamas’ Hostage Endgame?

The group seems intent on using its many remaining captives to increase international pressure on Israel and compel mass prisoner exchanges, though it may hesitate to take steps that would further harm its public image.

Nov 7, 2023

◆

Devorah Margolin

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Liwa al-Imam al-Hussein

One of the largest Iraqi-Syrian militias, developed by Iran's IRGC-QF to support regime and proxy objectives in and around Syria.

Nov 7, 2023

◆

Abdullah Hayek

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Brief Analysis

Escalating Hamas Activity in the West Bank

Hamas began laying the groundwork for a West Bank uprising before October 7 and has steadily increased its activities there, demonstrating the risk it poses beyond Gaza.

Nov 7, 2023

◆

Camille Jablonski

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Kataib Hezbollah and the Gaza Crisis (Part 2): Israel's Incursion, Khamenei-Nasrallah Speeches, and Blinken's Visit

Hossein Moanes and Abu Fadak have carefully calibrated their threats, showing a multifaceted yet tightly controlled Kataib Hezbollah response.

Nov 7, 2023

◆

Michael Knights
Amir al-Kaabi

◆ Militia Spotlight

Supported by the

Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

The Washington Institute's Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence serves as Washington's premier center for the study of international terrorism.

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, and special reports.

Featured experts

Matthew Levitt

Matthew Levitt is the Fromer-Wexler Fellow and director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute.

Devorah Margolin

Devorah Margolin is the Blumenstein-Rosenbloom Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Aaron Y. Zelin

Aaron Y. Zelin is the Gloria and Ken Levy Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy where his research focuses on Sunni Arab jihadi groups in North Africa and Syria as well as the trend of foreign fighting and online jihadism.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts