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Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

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Brief Analysis
Deterring Militias in Iraq: What Works and What Doesn’t
Striking back one time in twelve will not stop Iranian proxy attacks, so Washington must consider more consistent and painful retaliation in order to protect Americans in the Middle East.
Jun 28, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
Figure 1: Rocket and drone attacks on coalition "points of presence".
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iraq’s Drone and Rocket Epidemic, By the Numbers
Attacks on coalition points of presence are increasing in quantity and quality, making U.S. fatalities increasingly likely unless deterrence is restored.
Jun 27, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Video
Brief Analysis
Preventing Domestic Terrorism: The DHS Approach and the New U.S. Strategy
The Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for counterterrorism and threat prevention discusses why the agency and its partners need to focus on nimble, transparent responses to the problem, with an emphasis on prevention efforts via the newly formed CP3.
Jun 23, 2021
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  • John D. Cohen
◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series
Accidental Allies cover
In-Depth Reports
Accidental Allies:
The US–Syrian Democratic Forces Partnership Against the Islamic State
To some, America's partnership with the SDF exemplified an economy-of-force effort that minimized U.S. casualties and wrested control of northeast Syria from the Islamic State. To others, it was a cautionary tale about a U.S. military hoodwinked into working with a terrorist group.
Jun 22, 2021
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  • Michael Knights
  • Wladimir van Wilgenburg
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militia members in Syria
Articles & Testimony
Affirmations of Support and Rituals of Jihadi Martyrdoms
As eulogies for a recently slain militia figure spread online, they highlighted the differences between major jihadi organizations and revealed the solid local roots HTS has formed in northwest Syria.
Jun 17, 2021
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Brief Analysis
Sword of Jerusalem vs. Guardian of the Walls: Gaza and the Next Lebanon War
The military particulars of the clash between Hamas and IDF doctrines reveal much common ground with potential future conflicts involving the other members of Iran’s “axis of resistance.”
Jun 15, 2021
◆
  • Assaf Orion
Articles & Testimony
Rethinking Sustainable U.S. Efforts on Counterterrorism
Shifting away from a U.S.-led military posture will require Washington to repair its damaged credibility with allies abroad and disentangle counterterrorism budgets at home.
Jun 11, 2021
◆
  • Matthew Levitt
Flag of the Syrian Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
Brief Analysis
Hanging on in Idlib: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Expanding Tribal Engagement
As Western policymakers debate potential engagement with HTS, they should do so with eyes wide open to the jihadist group’s true status in the province and its intentions toward local tribal institutions.
Jun 11, 2021
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Parliament House, Canberra, Australia
Articles & Testimony
Designating Hezbollah as a Terrorist Organization Under Australia’s Criminal Code
As in many other countries, the group has undertaken more than enough terrorist and criminal activity in Australia to justify an expanded listing.
Jun 10, 2021
◆
  • Matthew Levitt
Iraq's Federal Supreme Court building
Brief Analysis
Iraq’s Judiciary Weak Link
Regardless of the executive branch’s willingness to confront militia abuses, true rule of law cannot take hold unless judges are protected from intimidation and corruption.
Jun 10, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
Middle East PolicyCast 78 Cover
Audio
Brief Analysis
Podcast: A Military and Political Assessment of the Gaza Conflict
In this episode of the Middle East PolicyCast podcast, Grant Rumley & Neri Zilber share their assessments of the factors that sparked and escalated the May 2021 Gaza conflict and share advice for policymakers who seek to prevent the renewal of major violence between Hamas and Israel.
Jun 7, 2021
◆
  • Grant Rumley
  • Neri Zilber
◆ Middle East PolicyCast
Qais in military attire
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Qais al-Khazali Doubles Down on His Muqawama Membership
The militia leader has not hesitated to provide court-quality evidence that he and his movement Asaib Ahl al-Haq are actively involved in attacks on U.S. forces.
Jun 7, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Articles & Testimony
Israel and Hamas After Gaza War
From expelling UN officials to giving Jews unsolicited relocation advice, Hamas has once again shown its true colors, even as Israeli politicians prepare to form a new multiethnic coalition government.
Jun 5, 2021
◆
  • David Pollock
Etejah
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Threats Against Iraq's Government Aired on al-Etejah TV
Kataib Hezbollah's television outlet is still airing false claims about the release of Qasim Muslih, as well as coup threats that draw comparisons to Yemen's Houthi takeover.
Jun 1, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Brief Analysis
How Iran Fuels Hamas Terrorism
After playing a key role in the group’s military development for years and navigating deep ideological rifts, Tehran has renewed its extensive sponsorship in ways that contributed directly to the recent bloodshed in Gaza.
Jun 1, 2021
◆
  • Ido Levy
QM affair
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Muqawama Fake News Surrounding Qasim Muslih’s Arrest (Part 1): International Zone Claims
The first wave of post-arrest deception operations tried to give the false impression that militias controlled the Baghdad zone containing the prime minister's residence, the U.S. embassy, and other sensitive sites.
May 28, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
  • Alex Almeida
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
An Iraqi member of a Shia PMF militia
Brief Analysis
Iraqi Militias Try, and Fail, to Intimidate the Government
Baghdad effectively enforced the rule of law by detaining a senior militia figure, though it still needs to arrest other murder suspects and show the public that October’s election will be safe.
May 27, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
Anti US
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Tansiqiya Signals Escalation Versus the United States
The Iraqi militia coordination committee is laying out its political and legal arguments for the removal of U.S. forces.
May 24, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
Gaza Soleimani
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How Iraqi Militias Are Exploiting the Gaza Conflict
Hamas's example could embolden Iraqi factions to accelerate attacks on U.S. facilities at home, as well as seek some reflected glory by claiming Syria-based attacks against Israelis.
May 16, 2021
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  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
KH Drone
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Kataib Hezbollah Leads Drone Warfare Inside Iraq
The group is employing sophisticated drone capabilities against U.S. airbases in Iraq, mirroring tactics and systems used in Yemen.
May 14, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight

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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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