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...
Al-Nusra Front
Turkey Is Preparing to Invade Syria, Then Israel?
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is making no effort to disguise his ambitions. In a bold declaration following the first meeting of Turkey’s cabinet, Erdogan made it clear that he intends to...
Op-eds
Syria’s new Minister of Justice: A profile of Shadi Mohammed al Waisi
Shadi Mohammed al Waisi is the newly appointed Minister of Justice in the transitional government in Syria. Al Waisi has faced criticism from Syrian activists and international media after videos surfaced...
Op-eds
In Verified Footage, New Syrian Justice Minister Presided Over Woman’s 2015 Execution
The woman kneels on the pavement, waiting for a bullet to the back of her head. She has been convicted of “corruption and prostitution.” Standing behind her is Shadi al-Waisi, who currently serves...
Policy Briefs
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
Who will form the core of Jolani’s unified army?
Ahmad al Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), commonly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani, has unveiled a vision for post-Assad Syria. With HTS assuming control in the aftermath...
Op-eds
Hayat Tahrir al Sham’s terror network in Syria
On December 8, 2024, rebel forces deposed the regime of Syria’s longtime dictator, Bashar al Assad, after the insurgents stormed through much of the country, retaking various regional capitals and culminating...
Op-eds
US launches massive strikes on Islamic State as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham deposes Assad regime
The US Military launched “dozens” of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in central Syria on December 8, the day that President Bashir al-Assad’s regime was overthrown by the terrorist organization...
Op-eds
America Must Stand with Syria’s Kurds
Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan is playing with and stoking fires in Syria. Following the major military offensive mounted by the Salafi-jihadist forces of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in...
Op-eds
Syrian Rebel Forces Take Aleppo in Lightning Offensive
Anti-Assad Islamists Launch Massive Operation: Thousands of fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist group previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, Al Qaeda’s...
Flash Briefs
Erdogan’s private military company looks to raise an Islamist army
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks a role for Turkey in Gaza’s post-war reconstruction if not governance, and the Biden administration appears ready to accede to this request. Others also see...
Op-eds
Khamenei promises ‘de-Americanization’ of Mideast
All eyes are on Iran in terms of the next moves it may make.
Op-eds
A U.S. Ultimatum for Qatar: Stop Sheltering Hamas
If Doha continues backing the terror group, it should be held accountable for American hostages’ deaths.
Op-eds
Is Turkey Getting Tough On Terrorism?
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently announced that Turkish forces had successfully neutralized the current leader of the Islamic State (IS), Abu Hussein al-Qurayshi following a raid on...
Op-eds
U.S. adds Al Qaeda leader in Syria to list of global terrorists
The U.S. State Department added Sami al-Uraydi, a senior leader of Al Qaeda’s branch in Syria, to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. State’s Rewards for Justice program previously offered...
Op-eds
The Bizarre Positive Biden Spin on Afghanistan
No, the Taliban are not America’s partners
Op-eds
U.S. Treasury sanctions al Qaeda facilitators in Turkey
The U.S. Treasury Department announced today that five al Qaeda financial operatives based in Turkey have been designated as terrorists. Treasury describes them as al Qaeda “supporters,” but doesn’t...
Op-eds
Biden’s catastrophe
Responding to the disastrous fallout of his Afghanistan withdrawal, President Joe Biden declared that the “buck stops with me” — and then spent the rest of his first public address on the crisis...
Op-eds
Turkey Turns to Taliban, But There is no More Airport Deal to Salvage
Turkey’s Erdogan hoped to secure another bargaining chip with the West by taking over running of Kabul’s international airport. Suddenly, it’s not looking so simple.
Op-eds
Al Qaeda group claims bus bombing in Damascus
Hurras al Din (the “Guardians of Religion” organization, or HAD) has claimed responsibility for a bus explosion in Damascus. In a one-page statement posted on social media, the al Qaeda group says...