Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Huras al-Din: The Overlooked al-Qaeda Group in Syria

Although it still relies on its stronger rival to operate, the ascendant affiliate has been cementing its presence in Idlib province, attracting other factions to its banner, and potentially setting itself up to lead a future insurgency.

Sep 24, 2019

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Defeating al-Qaeda's Shadow Government in Yemen:

The Need for Local Governance Reform

Recent U.S. attention in Yemen has focused largely on the war against the Iranian-backed Houthis, but another threat endures: al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. U.S. efforts to confront AQAP have historically relied on counterterrorism approaches such as air and drone strikes, direct-action raids, and partnerships with indigenous and coalition security

Sep 19, 2019

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Daniel Green

Articles & Testimony

The Development of Tunisia’s Domestic Counter-Terrorism Finance Capability

The country is fast becoming a regional leader in meeting global CT norms, developing the necessary toolkits, and integrating its efforts with those of foreign governments.

Sep 10, 2019

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Katherine Bauer

Brief Analysis

The Campaign Between Wars: How Israel Rethought Its Strategy to Counter Iran’s Malign Regional Influence

The architects of a landmark shift in IDF doctrine explain why the change was necessary, and how it has helped delay full-scale war even while forcefully confronting Tehran’s hegemonic ambitions.

Sep 4, 2019

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Gadi Eisenkot
Gabi Siboni

Brief Analysis

Yemen’s Fragile Military Balance

The latest string of roller-coaster military developments underlines the need for continued U.S. efforts to guide Saudi, Emirati, and Yemeni officials away from dangerous choices.

Sep 3, 2019

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Alex Almeida
Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

The Flaw in Trump’s Maximum Pressure Campaign Toward Iran

Tehran won’t change its behavior without the prospect of real economic relief, coupled with the threat of meaningful consequences for bringing the region to the brink of war.

Aug 29, 2019

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Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul

Articles & Testimony

The Men Responsible for the AMIA Bombing Are Known—and Still at Large

Twenty-five years later, some of the perpetrators hold senior positions within the Iranian and Hezbollah leadership, where they continue to oversee international terrorist plots.

Aug 12, 2019

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Iran’s Expanding Militia Army in Iraq: The New Special Groups

Tehran-backed militias must be monitored more closely on a host of destabilizing activities, though policymakers should be careful not to lump them in with the many PMF factions that don't support Iran.

Aug 9, 2019

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Inside Hezbollah’s American Sleeper Cells: Waiting for Iran’s Signal to Strike U.S. and Israeli Targets

If hostilities break out with the United States, Tehran may try to minimize risk to its most important assets in the Middle East by drawing on black ops units further abroad instead.

Aug 4, 2019

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Bahrain’s Perception Problem

New demonstrations, executions, and diplomatic quarrels threaten to undermine the island’s efforts to improve its pro-Western profile amid the Iran crisis.

Jul 30, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Twenty Years Under King Mohammed VI (Part 2): Foreign Policy Developments

The king has invested considerable diplomatic capital in Africa, Europe, the United States, and China, but the longstanding Western Sahara dispute remains a source of tension with neighboring Algeria.

Jul 29, 2019

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Sarah Feuer
Reda Ayadi

Brief Analysis

Twenty Years Under King Mohammed VI (Part 1): Domestic Developments

America’s oldest Arab ally has made significant economic progress since 1999, but grievances regarding social issues and political reform continue to pose a challenge.

Jul 25, 2019

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Sarah Feuer
Reda Ayadi

Brief Analysis

The Erbil Shooting: Implications for U.S.-Turkish Policy

If the PKK is confirmed as the perpetrator, Ankara will almost surely launch retaliation in Iraq or Syria, and Washington will have little choice but to stand aside.

Jul 18, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Iran Crisis Moves Into Cyberspace

Iranian cyber actors are showing signs of battlespace preparation, so the United States should heed the lessons of past attacks and bolster its defensive posture.

Jul 9, 2019

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Micah Loudermilk

Brief Analysis

Thirteen Years Since the Hezbollah-Israel War

On the anniversary of the 2006 conflict, a former IDF chief of staff assesses current power dynamics, risks, and opportunities along Israel’s northern borders.

Jul 8, 2019

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Gadi Eisenkot

Tunisian police guard the site of a terrorist attack - soucre: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Tunisia Keeps Calm and Carries On After Latest Terrorist Attack

Links between this attack and older jihadist networks underscore the complex nature of Tunisian radicalization, even if suspicious government data trends seem to suggest the problem is diminishing.

Jul 3, 2019

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

UAE Drawdown May Isolate Saudi Arabia in Yemen

The war-fatigued Emiratis appear to be leaving Riyadh to fend for itself in the fight against Iranian-backed rebels, underlining the necessity of Saudi-Houthi talks.

Jul 2, 2019

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Elana DeLozier

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah Isn’t Just in Beirut. It’s in New York, Too.

The trial of a senior operative reveals the extent of the terrorist organization’s reach in the United States and Canada.

Jun 14, 2019

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Lebanon and Israel Are Set to Negotiate: What’s at Stake?

Although Hezbollah and its allies might use the upcoming talks as a mere stalling tactic, negotiators will still have opportunities to exploit the group’s domestic vulnerabilities.

Jun 12, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar

In-Depth Reports

Lebanon: Future Leadership of the State and the State Within

Sudden Succession Essay Series

The Taif Accord, which ended Lebanon’s civil war almost three decades ago, stipulated that the country’s president be Christian, the prime minister be Sunni, and the parliament speaker be Shia. Today, two of these figures—President Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri—are in their eighties, and both demonstrate sympathy for Hezbollah, the Shia militia and party that serves as a national power broker.

Jun 11, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar

◆ Sudden Succession Essay Series

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 is the Fromer-Wexler Senior Fellow and director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute.

Devorah Margolin

Devorah Margolin is the Blumenstein-Rodan Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Michael Jacobson

Michael Jacobson is the Mark and Wayne Levy Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.

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 jihadist groups in North Africa and Syria, foreign fighting, and online jihadism.

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Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

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Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

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