Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule Podcast cover image - source: TWI

Podcast: Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule

Listen to a podcast series shining a bright light on the global terrorist and criminal activities that Lebanese Hezbollah would rather keep hidden from view.

February-March 2022

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Matthew Levitt

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Profile: Al-Ahd Satellite Television

A closer look at the "resistance" television channel owned and operated by U.S.-designated terrorist movement Asaib Ahl al-Haq.

Feb 9, 2022

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Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles

ISIS leader al-Hashimi, who died in a U.S. special forces raid in Syria on February 2, 2022 - source: U.S. Government

Brief Analysis

Second Islamic State Leader Killed in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Territory

To shed light on the intentions and capabilities of the jihadist group that runs Idlib province, the Biden administration should clarify its relations with HTS, including any counterterrorism cooperation.

Feb 3, 2022

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Kataib Hezbollah Behind "Grassroots" Iraqi Fundraising for Yemen

The Iran-backed militia tried to make its solo effort to boost the Houthi drone arsenal look like a widely coordinated and highly popular campaign, whereas it was anything but.

Feb 1, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Brief Analysis

Battle for al-Sinaa Prison: The Enduring Islamic State Threat in Syria

The military response to a major prison attack exhibited the strength of the U.S.-SDF partnership, but it also highlighted ongoing counterterrorism shortcomings.

Jan 31, 2022

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Ido Levy

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militia Lionization of Esmail Qaani: Consolidation or Covering Embarrassment?

The Iranian general has never received such intense praise from the Iraqi "resistance," but it may just be his attempt to spin his recent disappointing visit.

Jan 24, 2022

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Pro-government tribal fighters advance in Marib Province, Yeman - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Breaking Point: Consolidating Houthi Military Setbacks in Yemen

Washington can help preserve the recent coalition gains by categorizing the campaign as defensive, deterring further Houthi attacks abroad, and leveraging the next military deadlock to reinvigorate peace talks.

Jan 19, 2022

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Alex Almeida
Michael Knights

Police respond to a terrorist hostage-taking at a Texas synagogue - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Synagogue Hostage Crisis Reminds Us That Neo-Nazis Aren’t the Only Ones Targeting Jews

Although domestic extremism has emerged as a bigger homeland terrorist threat, the threat of jihadi violence from abroad remains acute.

Jan 19, 2022

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

How to Keep the Islamic State Down in 2022 and Beyond

The group and its offshoots pursue conventional warfare campaigns as a rule, not an exception, so the United States needs to enhance its regional military partnerships accordingly.

Jan 13, 2022

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Ido Levy

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Muhandis Replaced by Not One Man, But Two?

Abu Fadak and Akram Kaabi seem to have inherited the PMF and "resistance" parts of the late militia leader's portfolio.

Jan 12, 2022

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Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Saraya Ababeel Claims Baghdad Drone and Rocket Attacks

A minor sub-group took credit for recent airport strikes, indicating a return to the "facade" strategy and a role for AAH in the latest escalation.

Jan 7, 2022

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Crispin Smith
Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Militia with 23mm driving west outside IZ, May 26, 2021

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Making Sense of Militia Attacks in Iraq and Syria in Early 2022

The process of assuaging the militia support base was carefully stage-managed in the first week of the new year, with Iran and Nujaba setting the ground rules.

Jan 6, 2022

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Michael Knights
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Video

Brief Analysis

The War on Jihadism: Lessons from Twenty Years of Counterterrorism

Three French experts survey the evolution of twenty-first-century counterterrorism and assess how the struggles against jihadist and far-right violence need to adapt in the coming years.

Dec 22, 2021

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Marc Hecker
Elie Tenenbaum
Louis Dugit-Gros

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

In-Depth Reports

Soldiers of End-Times

Assessing the Military Effectiveness of the Islamic State

The IS military project led not only to the announcement of a “caliphate,” but to the proliferation of jihadist franchises that devastated countries, displaced millions, and killed tens of thousands.

Dec 21, 2021

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Ido Levy

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militia Playground: Kinetic Operations Refocus on East Syria

Iran-backed groups seem to be directing their more dangerous attacks against coalition forces in Syria, not Iraq, and the trend could accelerate in early 2022.

Dec 14, 2021

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Crispin Smith
Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Militia Assassination Surge (Part 2): December Attacks

Desperate militias are now killing Shia civilians in mass-casualty bombings as they try to assassinate Iraqi investigators and intelligence personnel.

Dec 10, 2021

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Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Militia Assassination Surge (Part 1): Sabereen and Unit 10,000 Threaten Iraqi Forces

Both outlets are openly advocating the murder of Iraqi security forces at a time of escalated shootings and bombings.

Dec 10, 2021

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Akram Kaabi's Revealing Speech

Kaabi has long been Iran's chosen man in the self-styled Iraqi "resistance," and his latest remarks seemed like an attempt to seize control of militia public messaging.

Dec 9, 2021

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Crispin Smith
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

An Egyptian guard inspects bomb damage near the Gaza border in Sinai

Brief Analysis

Egypt’s Counterinsurgency Success in Sinai

The military’s shift to tribal engagement has helped reduce jihadist attacks, but Cairo’s lagging efforts on development and human rights could leave the peninsula open to a future resurgence.

Dec 9, 2021

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Ido Levy

Articles & Testimony

Lebanon Stands at a Crossroad Between a Painful Revival and a Complete Submission to Iran

The country’s ongoing crises are closely intertwined with Hezbollah’s internal challenges, creating real potential for change if the West stands firmly behind fair elections, judicial accountability, and targeted pressure.

Dec 7, 2021

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Hanin Ghaddar

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.

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Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

Regions & Countries

Issues

Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

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