Blacklisting the Brotherhood
The Trump administration made history on November 24, 2025, when it issued an executive order calling for the U.S. government to designate “certain Muslim Brotherhood chapters as Foreign Terrorist...
Libyan Islamic Fighting Group
U.S. transfers Guantánamo detainee who allegedly led forces at Tora Bora
The U.S. State Department announced on July 19 that Abdul Latif Nasir, a detainee held at Guantanamo since 2002, had been transferred to his native country of Morocco. Nasir’s transfer from Guantánamo...
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
U.S. and UN Sanction Libyan Militia Leader Ibrahim Jadran
On September 12, the United States and the United Nations sanctio...
Policy Briefs
Qatar’s Support Of The Worst Of The Worst In Libya Must End
Libya’s eastern-based government joined Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt in cutting ties with Qatar in June, with ...
Op-eds
Two More ‘High’ Risk Detainees Transferred from Gitmo
Secretary of State John Kerry praised the Republic of Senegal today “for offering humanitar...
Op-eds
New Docs Reveal Osama bin Laden’s Secret Ties With Iran
This week, prosecutors in New York introduced eight documents recovered in Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan as evidence in the trial of a terrorism suspect. The U.S. government accuse...
Op-eds
Doha’s Dangerous Dalliance
Co-authored by Luke Lischin Qatari support for Islamist non-state actors has been an escalating source of tension for the monarchy in some of its vital relationships. Qatar&rsqu...
Op-eds
Analysis: Osama bin Laden’s Documents Pertaining to Abu Anas al Libi Should be Released
A senior al Qaeda operative known as Abu Anas al Libi has died in the US as he was awaiting trial. Al Libi was ca...
Op-eds
Successes and Failures of the U.S. and NATO Intervention in Libya
Download the full written testimony here (PDF). Ch...
Legislative Testimonies
The Arab Spring and Al-Qaeda’s Resurgence
Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith, distinguished members of the committee, it is an honor to appear before you to discuss the state of al-Qaeda, its affiliates, and associated groups. My test...
Legislative Testimonies
The Arab Spring and Al-Qaeda’s Resurgence
Download the full testimony (PDF). Chairman McKeon...
Legislative Testimonies
Tunisia’s War with Ansar Al-Sharia
Co-authored by Bridget Moreng Ever since August 27th, when Tunisia designated the Salafi jihadist group Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST) a terrorist organization and issued...
Op-eds
Abdelhakim Belhadj and Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia
Co-authored by Kathleen Soucy A Tunisian investigator leveled explosive new allegations last week against Abdelhakim Belhadj, a prominent Libyan political figure, implicating hi...
Policy Briefs
Salafi Jihadism in the North African Regional Context
Chairmen Poe and Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Members Sherman and Deutch, distinguished members of the subcommittees, it is an honor to appear before you today to discuss the threat of jihadist terroris...
Legislative Testimonies
Benghazi Suspect Fled to Pakistan, Recently Detained in Libya
A suspect in the Sept. 11, 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi has been detained in Libya, according to multiple press outlets. CNN...
Op-eds
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Al Qaeda’s Senior Leadership
With recent events in Mali and Algeria, there is a notable uptick in interest in Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). One question commentators are asking is what the relationship is between A...
Op-eds
How the Arab Spring’s Prisoner Releases Have Helped the Jihadi Cause
It's a problem.
Op-eds
Al Qaeda’s Plan for Libya Highlighted in Congressional Report
An unclassified report published in August highlights al Qaeda's strategy for building a fully operational network in Libya. The report ("Al Qaeda in Libya: A Profile") was prepared by the f...
Op-eds
LIFG and Al Qaeda: A Response to Zelin
On Friday, I had a post at G&L questioning the field’s conve...