Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

November 7, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Sharaa To Be First-Ever Syrian Leader To Visit White House

In a meeting no one could have predicted just a year ago, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on November 10. It will be the first time a Syrian...

November 6, 2025 | |

New Satellite Evidence Shows Mass Graves Following Paramilitary Massacre in Sudanese City

Graves Located Near 2 Hospitals: New satellite images from North Darfur suggest an ongoing massacre in the city of el-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary organization....

November 6, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

United States reportedly eyes military foothold in Damascus, Syrian official denies the claim

On November 6, Reuters reported that “The United States is preparing to establish a military presence at an air base in Damascus to help enable a security pact that Washington is brokering...

November 5, 2025 | |

U.S. Administration Submits Proposal To End UN Sanctions on Syria

Sharaa Heading to Washington: The United States has drafted a proposal to the UN Security Council to lift sanctions on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Syrian Interior Minister...

October 31, 2025 | Caleb Weiss |

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...

October 30, 2025 | Ben Cohen, Dmitriy Shapiro

Kidnapping of U.S. Missionary Shines Light on Persecution of Christians in Africa

Concern is growing over the whereabouts of Kevin Rideout, an American missionary abducted on October 21 in the West African state of Niger. The seizure of this 48-year-old pilot, who works for...

October 29, 2025 | Caleb Weiss |

Somalia reports death of Shabaab co-founder in ‘precision airstrike’

The Somali government stated on Monday that another co-founder of Shabaab is dead. The individual, identified as Mahmoud Abdi Hamud, better known as Jaafar Gurey, was reportedly killed in a “precision...

October 27, 2025 | David Adesnik, Mariam Wahba, Ahmad Sharawi, David Daoud, Natalie Ecanow, Hussain Abdul-Hussain, Bridget Toomey

Patient Extremism: The Many Faces of the Muslim Brotherhood

October 24, 2025 | Behnam Ben Taleblu, Bridget Toomey

Don’t Fall for the Islamic Republic’s Attempt at “Christian-Washing”

On a recent trip to Israel, Mark Walker, President Trump’s nominee to be Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, did not mince words about the administration’s priorities. “We want...

October 23, 2025 | Saeed Ghasseminejad |

Iran’s September Oil Exports Reach a 2025 High, Underscoring Sanctions Enforcement Gaps

Iran’s oil exports in September 2025 reached their highest monthly level of the year, according to TankerTrackers, highlighting the continued shortcomings of international sanctions enforcement. Tehran...

October 23, 2025 | Caleb Weiss |

American abducted by suspected jihadists in Niger

On Tuesday, Kevin Rideout, an American missionary in the West African state of Niger, was abducted from his home in the country’s capital, as first reported by CBS News. Rideout had lived in Niamey...

October 22, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

US Central Command opens Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel to back Gaza deal

On October 21, US Vice President JD Vance spoke at a press conference at the new Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) opened by US Central Command (CENTCOM) in southern Israel on October 17. “We...

October 17, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

SDF moves forward with integration into new Syrian security forces

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) based in eastern Syria are taking steps to integrate into the security forces led by the Syrian transitional government in Damascus. “The Syrian government...

October 16, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

The Gaza Peace Deal Has One Huge Problem: Hamas Won’t Disarm

As Gaza Ceasefire Begins, Hamas Is Already Reasserting Control Disarming Hamas is key to the U.S.-backed deal to end the Gaza war. The first phase of the agreement signed Oct....

October 14, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

After Gaza’s Deal, A Momentum in the Region for More Peace Stability in Syria, Lebanon?

U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for a peace deal to end the Gaza war has proven to be initially successful. He was able to bring together delegations from Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, and Hamas in...

October 10, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Why Donald Trump’s Diplomacy Appears to be Working

President Trump’s signature transactionalism and emphasis on personal relationships with foreign leaders are helping not hindering US foreign policy.

October 9, 2025 | Mariam Wahba |

Israel Moves To Counter Drone Threat on Egyptian Border

Drones carrying weapons and other contraband are flying over the Egyptian border and into Israel’s heartland. After months of repeated sightings and interceptions, the Knesset, Israel’s parliament,...

October 8, 2025 | |

Erdogan Demands SDF Complete Integration With Syrian Government

Erdogan Demanding Full Kurdish Integration: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Syrian Kurds to integrate with the Syrian government following a ceasefire between the Kurdish-led...

October 8, 2025 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Ceasefire Gives Breathing Room to Syrian Government and Kurdish-Led Forces

A ceasefire between the government in Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), agreed to on October 7, pulls Syria back from the brink of bloodshed. Tensions, already high, rose the...

October 7, 2025 | Seth J. Frantzman |

After sectarian clashes in Aleppo, US, SDF, and Syrian government officials meet in Damascus

Several rounds of meetings between US and Syrian leaders over the last two days reflect a push for integrating eastern Syria with Damascus and an attempt to reduce tensions between the Syrian...