Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Syria’s counterterrorism dilemma: Who can Washington trust?

Syria hosts Iraqi PM for visit amid security challenges in north and south

Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi to Damascus on October 28, marking Zaidi’s first trip to Syria. Sharaa described the meeting as a historic opportunity for...

Florida teenager arrested in an Islamic State-linked bomb plot

On October 26, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jude Sleeper, a 15-year-old student at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, FL, and charged him with making or attempting to make a destructive...

Jordanian Strikes Lay Bare Security Vacuum in Southern Syria

Jordan’s response to a deadly church attack at home has triggered a new confrontation with neighboring Syria. On October 26, the Jordanian Air Force launched multiple strikes across southern Syria...

Jordanian Air Force strikes Syria in retaliation for deadly church attack

The Royal Jordanian Air Force launched multiple airstrikes on October 26, targeting what it called terrorist organizations in southern Syria that were linked to the perpetrators of Friday’s attack on...

FBI arrests alleged Islamic State supporter accused of plotting to assassinate Texas congressman

On October 5, the FBI arrested a 17-year-old from McKinney, Texas, who is accused of plotting to assassinate Republican US Representative Keith Self of Texas and carry out a terrorist attack in North Texas...

How Russia Is Eclipsing the U.S. in Africa

The Kremlin is preparing to showcase its steadily growing influence in Africa, which has often come at Washington’s expense. On October 28-29, Moscow will host more than 30 African delegations for the...

Iraqi commander killed by Islamic State following Iraqi airstrikes against the group

Iraqi Army Brigadier General Ahat Yasser Khudair Hussein, Commander of the 11th Infantry Division’s Communications Directorate, was killed in a bombing linked to the Islamic State, Iraq’s Ministry...

Iraq After the US Military Withdrawal: Militia Disarmament Will Decide the Outcome

Iraq is at a new crossroads. On October 8 and 12, Iranian drones targeted Kurdish Iranian opposition groups based in northern Iraq. These are just several of more than 1,000 attacks by Iran on Iraq over...

Iran targets Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq with new round of drone attacks

Iran conducted a drone attack against the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), a Kurdish Iranian dissident group, in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan Region on October 12, according to the PDKI. The...

Somalia claims to have killed another senior Shabaab leader

Another key Shabaab leader is dead, according to Somali authorities. Earlier this week, Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said that senior Shabaab official Bashir Ahmed Haji...

Islamic State-linked suspects detained or charged in 6 countries since late September

Authorities in Georgia, North Macedonia, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Israel detained or indicted 51 Islamic State-linked suspects in eight separate cases between September 25 and October 8. The arrests...

FBI arrests alleged Islamic State supporter accused of plotting Mall of America attack

On October 6, the FBI arrested Sheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, of Richfield, Minnesota, near his residence after he bought an AK-47-style rifle, magazines, and ammunition from an undercover FBI employee,...

The Taliban vs Pakistan: Can they both lose?

Turkey Maintains Extensive Presence in Iraq Despite Forthcoming Withdrawal From Key Base

After 11 years of Turkish military presence, Ankara and Baghdad have agreed that Turkish troops will gradually withdraw from the Bashiqa-Zilkan camp in northern Iraq, though no firm timeline has been set. This...

Syria faces infrastructure sabotage, Islamic State activity amid utility shortages

On October 2, the Syrian Petroleum Company said it restored a gas pipeline near Deir Ezzor after the line had been sabotaged. “The company said on Telegram that crews replaced an 18-meter section of...

Operation Enduring Failure: 25 years after the US invasion of Afghanistan

US forces complete departure from Iraq as anti-Islamic State mission in Iraq ends

US forces deployed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the anti-Islamic State mission, completed their departure from Iraq on September 30. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi held a ceremony to mark...

Anti-Taliban resistance claims attacks across Afghanistan in September

As the Taliban enters its sixth year in power, a resistance against its rule remains active despite lacking a sanctuary or an official state sponsor. Throughout September, eight anti-Taliban resistance...

Fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban persists into second week

The latest round of conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban continued this past week, including airstrikes, cross-border attacks, targeted operations, and a car bombing. The fighting appears likely to...