Trump Once Called the Taliban Five ‘Killers.’ Now He’s Negotiating With Them
Negotiating with terrorists won’t bring peace to Afghanistan.
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
Documenting al Qaeda’s Durability
More than 16 years after the September 11, 2001, hijackings, America remains at war with jihadist groups around the globe. From South Asia through the heart of the Middle East and into West Afric...
Op-eds
How Will Jihadist Strategy Evolve as the Islamic State Declines?
Co-written by Colin Clarke Jihadist strategy has always been dynamic and opportunistic. Milita...
Op-eds
Zawahiri’s Revenge
The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham — which has now rebranded itself "the Islamic State" (IS) — is trying to position itself as the new leader of the global...
Op-eds
How the Islamic State’s Propaganda Feeds Into Its Global Expansion Efforts
Co-written by Bridget Moreng and Nathaniel Barr Even before the dramatic blitzkrieg...
Op-eds
The Islamic State vs. Al-Qaeda: The War Within the Jihadist Movement
Co-authored with Nathaniel Barr and Bridget Moreng The post-Arab Spring period has seen extraordinary growth in the global jihadist movement. In addition to the ...
Op-eds
More of the Same
On December 6, Barack Obama addressed the nation from the Oval Office for just the third time in his tenure. The president sought to reassure the American people that he has a strategy for defeat...
Op-eds
The Long War Continues
In many ways, the reaction to the horrific attacks in Paris has been familiar. There were the expressions of solidarity: flowers at French embassies; social media avatars changed from silly selfi...
Op-eds
Extreme Makeover, Jihadist Edition: Al-Qaeda’s Rebranding Campaign
Since the Islamic State made its dramatic military advance from Syria into Iraq more than a year ago — capturing...
Op-eds
Analysis: Qatar Still Negligent on Terror Finance
The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on August 5 against two Qatari nationals accused of prov...
Op-eds
Jihad 2.0: Social Media in the Next Evolution of Terrorist Recruitment
Download full testimony here Cha...
Legislative Testimonies
Canada’s Response to the Violence, Religious Persecution and Dislocation Caused by the Islamic State
I think that’s an excellent question. And Ms. Abdo in her opening statement talked about how the American Muslim community hasn’t been able to articulate that stake in the heart...
Legislative Testimonies
The Long, Slow Fuse of Jihad in France
The attacks on "Charlie Hebdo" were the culmination of two men’s decade-long quest to wage holy war.
Op-eds
French Authorities Identify Suspects in Attack on Charlie Hebdo
French officials have identified three suspects as being responsible for the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebd...
Op-eds
The Truth About ISIS… They’re Better at Twitter Than War
The Islamic State’s real social media skill makes commentators too willing to believe its shaky territorial claims
Op-eds
Jihadists Continue to Advertise Training Camps in Iraq and Syria
Several jihadist groups operating in Iraq and Syria continue to showcase facilities used to train their fighters. Since Dec. 1, seven new camps have been identified by The Long W...
Op-eds
No Fun in the Caliphate. Just the End of the World
It’s a tyrannical theocracy, crucifixions and decapitations are routine, women are shrouded and intimidated, the grim religious police are all over the place. It’s your Islamic...
Op-eds
Sandstorm
The great medieval historian Ibn Khaldun centered his understanding of history on asabiyya, which is perhaps best translated as esprit de corps mixed with the will to power. In his maste...
Op-eds
Islamist Foreign Fighters Returning Home and the Threat to Europe
Chairman Rohrabacher, Ranking Member Keating and members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me here today to discuss the threat posed by Islamist foreign fighters returning home to Europe....
Legislative Testimonies
Islamist Foreign Fighters Returning Home and the Threat to Europe
Chairman Rohrabacher, Ranking Member Keating and members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me here today to discuss the threat posed by Islamist foreign fighters returning home to Europe....