The many shades of Islam
Not all interpretations justify and drive terrorism – but some do
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Islamic State redoubles call for jihad in Sudan, urges foreign fighters to migrate
As news of more mass atrocities committed by the United Arab Emirates-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) circulates, the Islamic State has again called for jihad in Sudan. In this week’s Al...
Op-eds
Qatar is no Arab Switzerland
It’s a Muslim Brotherhood terrorist haven
Op-eds
Turkey’s Quiet Relationship with ISIS
On June 29, 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State in al-Sham (ISIS), was recorded on video speaking at the al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul, Iraq. (“Al-Sham” is the traditional Arabic...
Op-eds
US-led raid kills senior Islamic State ‘official’ in Syria
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a raid by US forces killed a “senior ISIS [Islamic State] member” in Atmeh in northwest Syria’s Idlib province on August 19. “Combined Joint...
Op-eds
Options for Designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization
Once again a Trump administration is debating whether or not to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. The last time around, during Trump’s first term, the effort petered out amidst...
Op-eds
President Trump meets with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, lifts sanctions on Syria
President Donald Trump met with Syrian interim president Ahmad al Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, a US and UN-designated terrorist and the former leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham,...
Op-eds
Islamic State calls for jihad in Sudan
“Sudan is forgotten!” reads the headline of the editorial in this week’s Al Naba newsletter, the Islamic State’s weekly publication highlighting its global activities. In the commentary, the terrorist...
Op-eds
Turkey and HTS: A New Era of Extremism in Syria?
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2023, Syria is now controlled by an alliance of opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While there has...
Op-eds
US removes $10 million reward for Hayat Tahrir al Sham leader
The US State Department removed the $10 million reward for Abu Mohammad al Jolani, the Specially Designated Global Terrorist who leads Haytat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), which State describes as an Al Qaeda...
Op-eds
The day after in Syria
Curb your enthusiasm
Op-eds
US military strikes Islamic State camps and personnel in central Syria
On December 16, the US military launched a second round of strikes against Islamic State personnel and infrastructure in Syria since the fall of the regime of Bashir al Assad on December 8. US operations...
Op-eds
Assad’s Enemies Are Not Our Friends
The United States shouldn’t make allies out of terrorists.
Op-eds
What’s next for Syria? Assad, Jihadist terrorist groups, and chemical weapons
Media Calls
Bringing Hamas to justice: Why US charges are an important step
In a groundbreaking move, the US Department of Justice has unsealed terrorism charges against top Hamas officials. How will this impact Hamas' operations and international standing?
Op-eds
Jihadi archives: Islamic State’s eulogy of Sudanese jihadist Mohamad Makkawi Ibrahim
In May 2016, the Islamic State (IS) issued a eulogy for the infamous Sudanese jihadist Mohamad Makkawi Ibrahim through its weekly Al-Naba newsletter. The eulogy flew under the radar at the time but offers...
Op-eds
U.S. military captures ISIS official in helicopter raid in Syria
The U.S. military captured an Islamic State “Operational and Facilitation official” during an operation in northern Syria last weekend. The raid marked the latest against the Islamic State’s network...
Op-eds
Islamic State confirms death of yet another leader, appoints new ‘caliph’
The Islamic State confirmed that its previous leader and self-styled “caliph”, Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Quraishi, was killed earlier this year In doing so, it also disputes claims he was killed...
Op-eds
State places $10 million bounty on Kenyan Shabaab commander
Just a few days after placing a similar bounty on Maalim Ayman, the head of Shabaab’s Kenyan military wing, the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program is now also offering $10 million for...
Op-eds
U.S. offers $10 million bounty for top Shabaab military commander
The U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program announced today that is offering a $10 million bounty for information leading to the capture and prosecution of Maalim Ayman, a Shabaab military...