Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

The group likely hopes to avoid harsh retaliation by staging attacks from the West Bank instead of Gaza, but Israel could still decide to take forceful action given the nature of the latest plot.

Apr 22, 2016

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Nadav Pollak

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah's Transnational Organized Crime

Given the group's ever-lengthening criminal rap sheet around the world, designating it as a TCO has become an open-and-shut case.

Apr 21, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Flipping the Script on ISIS

To curb the power of Salafi ideas, the West must help Middle Eastern countries rebuild even as they fight ISIS, so that the group's destructive, exploitative project is perceived for what it is.

Apr 18, 2016

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

The French Disconnection: Francophone Countries and Radicalization

A recent article on the Francophone origins of foreign jihadists fighting in Syria shows a surprisingly shallow understanding of the French-speaking world.

Apr 12, 2016

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Olivier Decottignies

Articles & Testimony

The Islamic State, Extremism, and the Spread of Transnational Terrorism

For many at-risk Muslims in Europe, the Islamic State provided the opportunity to be a part of building something exciting, and local authorities are now dealing with the consequences of this recruitment wave.

Apr 12, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Video

Brief Analysis

Combating Genocide: Reassessing the Fight Against the Islamic State

While Washington and its coalition partners have begun to roll back some of the Islamic State's territorial gains, what more can be done to defeat the group and, until then, protect civilians?

Apr 7, 2016

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Matthew Levitt
Naomi Kikoler
James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Potential U.S. Clarification of Financial Sanctions Regulations

Proposals for clarifying or relaxing certain U.S. financial restrictions would be a cumbersome way for Iranian trading partners to access U.S. dollars, but would give Iran modest, unreciprocated benefits.

Apr 5, 2016

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Katherine Bauer

Brief Analysis

Iran Locks Itself Out of the International Financial System While Blaming Washington

Out-of-date Iranian banking practices and rank deception have made international banks leery of risking their reputations.

Apr 5, 2016

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

The Next President's Choices on ISIS

From continuing the status quo to deploying limited ground brigades, the next administration will inherit a range of feasible options, but only some would serve U.S. interests, and all of them come with formidable postwar questions.

Apr 3, 2016

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James Jeffrey

Video

Brief Analysis

Terror in Europe: Combating Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Networks

Current and former officials from the United States and Europe examine next steps for counterterrorism efforts after the Brussels attacks.

Mar 31, 2016

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Matthew Levitt
Olivier Decottignies
Eric Rosand

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Articles & Testimony

Theology in Foreign Policy: ISIS in Context

An exclusively hard-power approach to stopping ISIS could embolden its followers, while soft power alone is no match for the group's theological pull, so the U.S. government will need to look more closely at how its strategies are interpreted abroad.

Mar 29, 2016

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

My Journey Through Brussels' Terrorist Safe Haven

Police and prevention officers in the Islamist hotbed of Molenbeek are eager to step up their counterradicalization efforts, but they are running short on resources and time.

Mar 27, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

The Islamic State's Lone-Wolf Era Is Over

Small-scale attacks by homegrown radicals are out, complex plots to maximize carnage are in, and the long-term domestic threat to Europe is stark.

Mar 24, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah's Growing Threat Against U.S. National Security Interests in the Middle East

In-depth testimony on the group's ongoing criminal, terrorist, and military activity in the region and beyond, including the implications of a potential cash influx from Iran as international sanctions are relaxed.

Mar 22, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Brussels Attacks Raise Questions on Readiness

Because the Islamic State and other terrorist adversaries have become increasingly disciplined and well-coordinated, Western governments need to be even more so to prevent further attacks.

Mar 22, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

The War of All Against Turkey

Unless Erdogan changes his stripes and becomes a unifying politician amid the current terror tsunami, he may go down in history as the leader who broke Turkey while trying to become a king.

Mar 21, 2016

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

Genocide or Not, Civilians Need Protection from ISIS

Whatever the outcome of the State Department's latest deliberations, protecting civilians through safe zones or other initiatives must have a more prominent place in the coalition's strategy.

Mar 11, 2016

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Matthew Levitt
A. J. Beloff

Articles & Testimony

Behind the GCC's Terrorist Designation of Hizbullah

The decision, which has been coming for some time, is a function of increased Hizbullah activities in the Gulf states and growing tensions with Iran.

Mar 10, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

How to Prevent al-Qaeda from Seizing a Safe Zone in Northwestern Syria

Strong ground support for moderate rebels would be needed to keep any buffer zone in the northwest from falling under the control of al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate.

Mar 7, 2016

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Fabrice Balanche

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

Internet Security and Privacy in the Age of the Islamic State

The View from Facebook

Facebook's head of global policy management, a former federal prosecutor and legal advisor to the State Department, shares her insights into the evolving threats to personal privacy and security and the private sector's role in defending against them.

Mar 2, 2016

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Monika Bickert

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture 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-Rosenbloom Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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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Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

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