Khorasan group
Islamic State claims responsibility for suicide bombing in Kabul
The Islamic State’s Khorasan branch has claimed credit for a suicide bombing outside of the airport in Kabul earlier today. The group identifies the “martyr” (suicide bomber) as Abdul Rahman Al-Logari....
Op-eds
The 9/11 anniversary and the 9/11 wars
Containing and disrupting jihadists is a mission worth accomplishing
Op-eds
Taliban falsely claims al Qaeda doesn’t exist in Afghanistan
General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), questioned the Taliban’s willingness to take action against al Qaeda during an online conference held last week. The...
Op-eds
Analysis: The Islamic State’s ideological campaign against al-Qaeda
On April 29, the Islamic State’s “province” (wilayah) in Yemen released a lengthy video that is intended to undermine al-Qaeda’s ideological legitimacy within the jihadists’ ranks. The 50-plus...
Op-eds
Testimony: The Trump Administration’s Afghanistan Policy
Earlier this year, Al-Qaeda released a video emphasizing its unity with the Taliban. The production was entitled, “Under the Shade of the Islamic Emirate.” Note: On Sept. 19, Thomas Joscelyn testified...
Op-eds
The Trump Administration’s Afghanistan Policy
Legislative Testimonies
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi praises the Islamic State’s global operations
Undeterred by the loss of his territorial caliphate in Iraq and Syria, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi preaches patience in a newly released audio message. Baghdadi’s message was released online yesterday via various...
Op-eds
Global Terrorism: Threats to the Homeland
Editor’s note: Below is Thomas Joscelyn’s testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security. Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Rogers, and other members of the committee, thank you for inviting...
Op-eds
Islamic State suicide bomber strikes wedding in Kabul
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing at a hotel in Kabul. Scores of people were killed or wounded in the attack, the latest in a series of operations carried out by...
Op-eds
UN: Islamic State replaced leader in Afghanistan after visit from central leadership
The Islamic State’s central leadership replaced their top man in Afghanistan after a meeting earlier this year, according to a recent report submitted t...
Op-eds
Jihadists wound former Afghan intelligence chief in Kabul assault
Amrullah Saleh, the former head of the National Directorate of Security and a candidate for vice president, was wounded in an attack by jihadists in his office in Kabul today. Saleh was responsible fo...
Op-eds
U.S. military targets al Qaeda operatives in Syria
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Op-eds
Al Qaeda growing stronger under Taliban’s umbrella, UN finds
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Op-eds
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Hurras al-Din reach a new accord
On Feb. 10, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Hurras al-Din (HAD) reached a new accord. The agreement was forged after nearly two weeks of vitriolic debate — the latest in a series of disagreements...
Op-eds
Tens of Thousands of Syrian Rebels Poised to Regroup
Al Qaeda’s role in the Syrian civil war drastically increased after the al Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) managed to take control of Syria&rsqu...
Op-eds
Unfinished Business
Donald Trump is fond of claiming that his predecessor mismanaged America's role in the world. "And I have to just say that the world is a mess. I inherited a mess," the president noted durin...
Op-eds
What’s Really Behind Trump’s Laptop Ban
More than 15 years after the September 11 hijackings, the U.S. government has issued yet another warning about airline security. On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced ne...
Op-eds
The Al Qaeda Threat Grows
Fifteen years after the September 11, 2001, hijackings, the al Qaeda threat is growing. Al Qaeda has the capacity to attempt a mass casualty attack inside the U.S. and Europe today. Many...
Op-eds
Underestimating al Qaeda
The United States and its allies are consumed by their battle with ISIS, but to many terrorism experts, al Qaeda remains a serious force to be reckoned with, one that is actually increasing i...