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Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

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Syria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani speaks during a meeting with Syrian diaspora after the International Conference on Syria in Paris on February 13, 2025 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Post-Paris Steps in Syria Could Be Decisive
With the clock ticking on the post-Assad honeymoon period, Washington still has time to acknowledge the realities on the ground by providing crucial U.S. know-how and strategic support to the international aid, recovery, and counterterrorism missions.
Feb 28, 2025
◆
  • Devorah Margolin
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
KH_Nasrallah Funeral
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hassan Nasrallah's Funeral: Iraqi Militia Response and Attendance
Most of the top militia leaders appeared too cowed to show up, but a wide assortment of senior Iraqi "resistance" and political figures did attend, including potential future candidates for prime minister.
Feb 27, 2025
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Houthis show support for Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Yemen, 2020
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Update on Houthi Involvement in Iraq
The cessation of Houthi-Iraqi joint strikes on Israel does not mean that Houthi money-movers and trainers have gone home; more likely, they are now a permanent feature of Iraq and merit close scrutiny from counterterrorism analysts.
Feb 26, 2025
◆
  • Sary Mumayiz
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Demonstrators fly a mixture of Turkish flages featuring the image of the Republic of Turkey's founder, Kemal Mustafa Ataturk, and banners depicting Kurdish militia leader Abdullah Ocalan - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Inside the Latest PKK Talks (Part 2): Implications for Turkish and U.S. Policy
If Ankara seals the deal and preempts potential spoilers, the results could prove historic for Turkish politics, Erdogan’s legacy, joint counterterrorism efforts, and wider U.S. regional interests.
Feb 21, 2025
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
Mohammed Reza Nouri unsealed deposition
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Direct-Operated IRGC-QF Attack Cells in Iraq: Data Related to the Troell Case
The FBI deposition on Steven Troell’s killers and other evidence provides a closer look inside cross-militia Iraq terrorist cells operated by Iran's Qods Force and potentially linked to the facade brand Ashab al-Kahf.
Feb 19, 2025
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
German and French foreign ministers meet with Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
The Paris Conference on Syria: Coordination and a Roadmap Are Needed
To set up a future where U.S. forces and constant U.S. attention are no longer needed in Syria, Washington must be involved now, and smart transatlantic engagement could facilitate this goal.
Feb 11, 2025
◆
  • Devorah Margolin
  • Souhire Medini
Fatimyoun
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Fatemiyoun/Zainabiyoun Influx: Iraq’s Intensified Hosting of Two U.S.-Designated Terrorist Groups
New data shows that Iran-backed Afghan and Pakistani terrorists are arriving at a broadening range of Iraqi military bases.
Feb 11, 2025
◆
  • Hassan al-Araji
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Sary Mumayiz
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sudani London
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Sudani Brings Advisors to London Who Support Terrorism and Call for Attacks on U.S.-Led Coalition Forces
Figures linked to Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah were among the Iraqi prime minister's recent UK delegation.
Feb 6, 2025
◆
  • Ameer al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Liwa Fatimiyoun flag
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Hundreds of Iran-Backed Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun Terrorists Warehoused at Iraqi Government Bases
Since the fall of the Assad regime, Baghdad has provided shelter and material support to members of two U.S.-designated Afghan and Pakistani groups run by the Iranian military.
Jan 29, 2025
◆
  • Sary Mumayiz
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Articles & Testimony
Hamas May Be Cheering, But It Is Writhing in Pain
All the talk of Hamas emerging from the war with the upper hand contradicts the realities on the ground, where the group has lost its military capabilities, has no hope of substantial outside help, and has failed to ignite the West Bank.
Jan 26, 2025
◆
  • Ehud Yaari
A Kaabi
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militia Leader Labels President Trump an "Idiot," Threatens U.S. Forces
U.S.-designated terrorist Akram Kaabi is projecting a sense of impunity and demonstrating little fear of the United States or its leader.
Jan 26, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Mohammad Reza Nouri and Qassem Soleimani 2
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iran Makes Second Effort to Recover IRGC Officer from Iraqi Custody
The regime wants Baghdad to hand over the officer who orchestrated the 2022 murder of U.S. citizen Stephen Troell—not the first time it has leveraged Iraqi militia factions to seek his release.
Jan 23, 2025
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Sudani Iran 2
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
PMF Non-Deployment to Save Assad: Sudani’s View Contradicted by Iran
The Iraqi prime minister portrayed Baghdad's non-intervention in Syria as a sovereign decision, but Iranian leaders gave a different explanation.
Jan 21, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Articles & Testimony
In Syria, America Should Be Ruthlessly Focused on the Islamic State
With the U.S. military presence on a potentially short timetable, officials should prioritize policies that ensure the continued security of Islamic State detention facilities, such as brokering local ceasefire agreements and alleviating Turkish concerns.
Jan 17, 2025
◆
  • Joseph Votel
  • Elizabeth Dent
Djibouti-flagged Lahar oil tanker
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
What Does the Red Sea Crisis Reveal About Sanctioned Ships?
Two sanctioned Russia-linked oil tankers, which were attacked by the Houthis in 2023 and 2024, recently changed their names and are flying the Djiboutian flag amid stricter Western sanctions.
Jan 17, 2025
◆
  • Noam Raydan
◆ Maritime Spotlight
Muhandis/Soleimani
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Too Scared to Fully Commemorate Soleimani and Muhandis
In the shadow of Trump's imminent inauguration, Iran-backed terrorist groups were cautious in how they commemorated the anniversary of the January 2020 killings.
Jan 14, 2025
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Articles & Testimony
The Current and Future Houthi Threat to the Middle East
An effective response to the group's persistent aggression should include strengthening the United Nations verification and inspection mechanism, preparing sanctions against actors who violate UN resolutions, and taking steps to interdict arms transfers.
Dec 29, 2024
◆
  • Michael Knights
Qais
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How Long Will Qais al-Khazali Hide in Iran?
The leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq has been abroad for weeks, and his movements (and those of his deputies back home) are worth watching closely.
Dec 24, 2024
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolana speaks on the phone during the campaign to take Damascus in December 2024 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Washington Returns to Damascus with High Stakes for Syria’s Transition
The delegation’s findings on key political and security issues will have a major impact on future U.S. engagement with Syria’s new leaders, including the decision on whether or not to remove sanctions.
Dec 20, 2024
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Workers package Syrian pound currency notes at the Syrian Central Bank in Damascus following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
How Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Landed on U.S. Terrorist Lists—and Why It Should Stay There for Now
Although some near-term waivers should be issued to help untangle the complicated web of designations and facilitate humanitarian aid, any broader delisting of HTS, Jolani, and others needs to be earned, not gifted.
Dec 17, 2024
◆
  • Matthew Levitt

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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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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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