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Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

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KH_protest
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Return of Abu Ali al-Askari
In its first statement since October, a notorious Kataib Hezbollah Telegram account offered a deeper dive into how the "resistance" views a range of new developments in Iraq, Syria, and Iran.
Apr 24, 2025
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Hezbollah fighters parade with flags in Lebanon in 2019 - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
There Is No Better Time to Disarm Hezbollah
With the group and its Iranian patrons at their weakest point in decades, Beirut has a real opportunity to restore its sovereignty, but waiting for another futile “national dialogue” may close that window.
Apr 23, 2025
◆
  • David Schenker
Sharaa_wanted
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Sudani's Invitation to Ahmed al-Sharaa Triggers Militia Backlash
Iraq's self-styled "resistance" had an allergic reaction to the idea of Syria's new president setting foot on Iraqi soil, putting Prime Minister Sudani at odds with some of his terrorist supporters.
Apr 23, 2025
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
A member of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood speaks - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
The Brotherhood May Have Pushed Jordan Too Far This Time
As revelations continue to unfold about the group’s involvement in militant plots, weapons smuggling, and coordination with foreign accomplices, Amman will likely feel obligated to crack down—the question is how much?
Apr 22, 2025
◆
  • Ghaith al-Omari
KH-Prayers
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Chief Urges Ongoing Caution with the United States
Abu Hussein has asked the group's fighters to keep showing restraint, seemingly reinforcing Iran's preference for calm as nuclear talks with Washington proceed.
Apr 22, 2025
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Oscar-winning Palestinian Director Basel Adra checks a damaged car after Israeli settlers' attack in Susiya in the Israeli-occupied West Bank - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Settler Violence Is Turning the West Bank Into a Tinderbox
The West Bank has been a relatively minor front in Israel’s post-October 7 war, but if violence by far-right settlers continues to increase, the fallout could be substantial.
Apr 18, 2025
◆
  • Neomi Neumann
An Iraqi member of a Shia PMF militia
Brief Analysis
The Danger of Letting Iraq’s PMF Authority Law Pass
The Trump administration needs to quietly but firmly signal Baghdad that enshrining the militia umbrella group as a de facto “Iraqi IRGC” would pose an unacceptable threat to U.S. interests.
Apr 8, 2025
◆
  • Michael Knights
A UNIFIL peacekeeper on duty in Lebanon - source: United Nations
Brief Analysis
Lebanon-Syria Border Talks Can Restrain Hezbollah and Boost Security
By encouraging the new Saudi-mediated talks with Damascus, Washington and its partners can help secure Beirut’s sovereignty, contain Hezbollah smuggling, and stabilize Lebanon’s other border with Israel.
Apr 3, 2025
◆
  • Hanin Ghaddar
Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), walk together near Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Facilitating the New SDF Agreement Is Key to Stabilizing Syria
The Kurdish-led group has reached important understandings with the new leadership in Damascus, but finalizing and implementing them while resolving points of contention will require further help from the United States and its partners.
Apr 2, 2025
◆
  • Wladimir van Wilgenburg
A rebel fighter belonging to the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham gestures while riding a vehicle near Aleppo in November 2024 - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
The New Syrian Government’s Fight Against the Islamic State, Hezbollah, and Captagon
An in-depth look at how the new rulers tackled these counterterrorism issues in Idlib province for years prior to Assad’s fall, and what steps they are taking at the national level today.
March 2025
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Abdul-Mahdi_Sanaa
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Abdulmahdi in Yemen: An Emerging Militia Godfather
A former Iraqi prime minister is using his freedom from U.S. sanctions to act as an envoy between designated terrorist groups.
Mar 28, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
An Iraqi member of a Shia PMF militia
Brief Analysis
Iraq’s PMF Law Is No Substitute for Real Security Reform
The Trump administration should not be duped by the supposed “reforms” that militia leaders are considering in parliament, which threaten to turn the PMF into another Iranian “Revolutionary Guard” and keep U.S.-designated terrorists in key posts.
Mar 17, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
Qais_Sulaimani
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Dual Face of Qais al-Khazali: Extremist at Heart, Politician by Necessity
Khazali presents himself as a mainstream political figure, but his internal narrative reveals unwavering loyalty to Iran's "axis of resistance" and a deeply entrenched extremist ideology opposed to the West.
Mar 17, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
The Syria Breakdown Series Title Card
Video
Articles & Testimony
Hope for al-Hol? The Syria Breakdown, Episode Six
Does Syria's transition away from Assad regime tyranny offer hope for closing detention camps, which have been home to thousands of internally displaced persons and Islamic State supporters?
Mar 13, 2025
◆
  • Devorah Margolin
◆ The Syria Breakdown
Uli al-Baas cover 1
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Uli al-Baas (Part 2): Key Analytic Findings
Uli al-Baas certainly looks and feels like an Iran-supported militia info-ops platform, designed to give the impression (possibly accurate) that a pantheon of armed groups are activating to fight Israel and the new Syrian government.
Mar 9, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Sary Mumayiz
◆ Militia Spotlight
Uli al-Baas-Syria
Maps & Graphics
Uli al-Baas (Part 1): A New Islamic Resistance Front in Syria?
A newly formed "resistance" group emerged online in January, vowing to confront Israel's presence and Syria’s interim president.
Mar 9, 2025
◆
  • Sary Mumayiz
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Map of Syria, sanctions "tape," new Syrian flag, Bashar al-Assad, Ahmed al-Sharaa (Muhammad al-Jolani)
In-Depth Reports
Navigating the Syria Sanctions Conundrum
Washington should act quickly to facilitate transactions for key sectors such as electricity, food, and rubble removal, lest public discontent lead to widespread protests and possibly government collapse.
Mar 5, 2025
◆
  • Matthew Levitt
Video
Articles & Testimony
The Digital Battlefield: How Terrorists Use the Internet and Online Networks for Recruitment and Radicalization
A terrorism expert discusses what U.S. policymakers and tech companies can do to stem the proliferation of jihadist activity online, including greater attention to multilingual content moderation, cryptocurrency abuse, and other evolving factors.
Mar 4, 2025
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Sunbathers gather on Al-Baida beach in Lebanon - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Trump Should Aim for a “Riviera” in Lebanon
Beirut stands at the goal line of a major win for the Middle East, but only if America quarterbacks the last push.
Mar 3, 2025
◆
  • Hanin Ghaddar
  • Zohar Palti
A priest leads an Easter mass at the Grand Immaculate Church in Al-Hamdaniya, Iraq, April 9, 2023 - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Babylon Brigade Plans to Rig 2025 Voting in Christian Areas
An Iran-backed brigade led by a U.S.-designated human rights abuser is preparing to repeat its unfair practices and dominate local Christian voting in this year's general election.
Mar 3, 2025
◆
  • Yaqoub Beth-Addai
◆ Militia Spotlight

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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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Featured experts

Matthew Levitt
Matthew Levitt
Matthew Levitt is the Fromer-Wexler Senior Fellow and director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute.
Devorah Margolin
Devorah Margolin
Devorah Margolin is the Blumenstein-Rosenbloom Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.
Aaron Zelin
Aaron Y. Zelin
Aaron Y. Zelin is the Gloria and Ken Levy Senior 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.
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