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Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

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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
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

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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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