South Asia

Bin Laden Is Long Gone, but He Sparked a Jihadist Revolution

An Islamic caliphate was his ultimate political goal and remains al-Qaeda’s chief objective to this day.

Why the Russia-China Alignment Is So Worrisome

A new report also looks at demographics and points to concerning trends in jihadist hotbeds.

The Flawed Reasoning Behind Biden’s Afghanistan Withdrawal

The president isn’t all wrong about leaving Afghanistan, but he misunderstands the history of the war and the terrorist threat emanating from the region.

Biden Administration Should Not Provide Sanctions Relief for Terrorism

As President Joe Biden looks to rejoin the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran is likely to pressure the Biden administration to provide broad sanctions relief,...

Iran, Terrorism Finance, and Money Laundering: A Status Update Before FATF Meets Next Week

When the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) convenes its plenary next week, while not formally on the agenda, buzz on the sidelines will concern Tehran’s constant push to be removed from the FATF blacklist....

Riyadh Seeks Biden’s Forgiveness

Saudi Arabia has freed activists and announced reforms, but must do more to win the new team’s favor.

Biden, Congress Should Defend Terrorism Sanctions Imposed on Iran

Sunni Jihadism

Afghanistan

Occupied Territories Bill in Ireland Is Dead on Arrival

Amid a COVID-19-induced economic recession, Irish independent Senator Frances Black has revived a draft law targeting Israel after a previous failed attempt. The Occupied Territories Bill, if enacted, could...

The Jihadist Threat Persists

The Retrenchment Syndrome

A Response to “Come Home, America?”

Curb Your Enthusiasm for an Israel-Pakistan Peace Agreement

While Pakistan has good reasons to normalize relations with Israel, domestic and geopolitical compulsions stand in the way.

China’s provocations propel decision to include Australia in upcoming Malabar exercise

India announced on Monday that the Australian Navy would join the November 2020 Malabar exercise — an annual, high-end joint exercise conducted predominantly at sea that has included only American,...

No, There is No ‘End in Sight’ to the Battle Against Al-Qaeda

The terror group has grown its base since 9/11.

The 9/11 anniversary and the 9/11 wars

Containing and disrupting jihadists is a mission worth accomplishing

Analysis: Taliban leader declares victory after U.S. agrees to withdrawal deal

Shortly after the Trump administration signed its accord with the Taliban on Feb. 29, Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada declared “victory” on behalf “of the entire Muslim and Mujahid nation.”...

FATF Reimposes Countermeasures on Iran for Failing to Meet Anti-Money Laundering Standards

Today, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) followed through on its October 2019 commitment to re-impose due-diligence countermeasures on Iran if Tehran failed – as it has since 2016 – to complete...

U.S. military buries press release that would announce killing of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent’s emir

The U.S. Department of Defense suppressed a press release that would have announced the death of Asim Umar, the emir of Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, because it “would complicate future negotiations...

Taliban destroy hospital in truck bombing

The Taliban killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 100 in a blast outside of the main hospital in Zabul’s provincial capital of Qalat this morning. A truck packed with explosives was parked near...