Ahmed Al-Shara’s Foreign Jihadist Problem
The man President Donald Trump hailed as a “tough guy” who will bring stability to Syria is empowering extremists tied to Al Qaeda.
Specially Designated Global Terrorist
U.S. Replaces Comprehensive Sanctions on Syria With More Targeted Tools
The United States rolled back decades-old comprehensive sanctions on Syria on June 30, but the story is not as simple as either media reports or the administration itself makes it seem. The executive order...
Policy Briefs
Trump announces sanctions relief for Syria
On June 30, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order revoking longstanding sanctions on Syria. “The United States is committed to supporting a Syria that is stable, unified, and...
Op-eds
Treasury targets Houthi oil revenue, building on US sanctions against the group
In late June, the US Treasury Department levied its largest batch of sanctions against the Houthis, targeting individuals and entities involved in the importation and smuggling of oil and other goods. “Today’s...
Op-eds
10 Things to Know About Tehran’s Propaganda Network, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
Israel struck the Tehran headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on June 16, damaging a key regime media organ. IRIB is far from an independent news channel. Rather, it is a tool...
Insights
Iraqi militias largely rely on rhetoric in response to Israel-Iran conflict—for now
Iran-backed militias in Iraq have resorted mainly to words, not actions, to support Iran since direct conflict between Israel and Iran began on June 13. The statements issued by the groups have included...
Op-eds
US adds Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Imam Ali to list of terror organizations
The US Treasury Department added Kataib Imam Ali (the “Imam Ali Brigades”) to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists on June 12, 2025. Kataib Imam Ali is one of the many Iraqi...
Op-eds
Options for Designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Terrorist Organization
Once again a Trump administration is debating whether or not to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. The last time around, during Trump’s first term, the effort petered out amidst...
Op-eds
Syrian military integrates Al Qaeda-linked terror group into its ranks
The new Syrian government is integrating a Central Asian terrorist group that is part of Al Qaeda’s network into its military, despite the objections of US President Donald Trump. The head of this terror...
Op-eds
President Trump meets with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, lifts sanctions on Syria
President Donald Trump met with Syrian interim president Ahmad al Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al Jolani, a US and UN-designated terrorist and the former leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham,...
Op-eds
India Claims Elimination of Terrorist Involved in Abduction and Murder of American Journalist Daniel Pearl
Wanted Islamist Terrorist Killed: India announced on May 8 that its armed forces had eliminated Islamist terrorist Abdul Rauf Azhar, a co-conspirator in the 2002 abduction and murder...
Flash Briefs
India claims Jaish-e-Mohammad leader killed during airstrikes in Pakistan
The Indian government claimed that Abdul Rauf Azhar, a senior leader of the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad and a brother of the group’s founder, Masood Azhar, was killed during India’s retaliatory airstrikes on Pakistan on May 7.
Op-eds
Pro-Iranian Iraqi politicians, militia leaders object to Syrian president visiting Iraq
A possible visit by Syria’s new transitional president, Ahmad al Sharaa, is causing controversy in Iraq. Several key Shiite political and militia leaders have come out against the visit and called on...
Op-eds
Lashkar-e Taiba front group claims responsibility for deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India
The Resistance Front, a cover organization of the Pakistan-supported Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group, claimed credit for the April 22 attack in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir that killed...
Op-eds
New Sanctions Against the Houthis Take Aim at the Terrorist Group’s Banking Sector
The Trump administration is following through on the promise of a whole-of-government approach to stopping Houthi terrorism. While U.S. Central Command forces have been continuously striking the group...
Policy Briefs
Why do Iraqi Shiites hate the new Syria and its leader?
One might assume that the most unpopular individuals in Iraq are US President Donald Trump or Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Op-eds
U.S. Treasury Targets Russian Elements of the Houthis’ Iran-Backed Financing Network
Washington is intensifying pressure against Iran and its proxies. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced new sanctions on April 2 against the Russia-based funding sources of Yemen’s Iran-backed...
Policy Briefs
US removal of Sirajuddin Haqqani’s $10 million bounty signals engagement with the Taliban
The Trump administration appears to be continuing its previous policy of engagement with the Taliban, which led to the 2020 Doha Agreement that paved the way for the Biden administration’s 2021 withdrawal...
Op-eds
U.S. Sanctions Iranian Intelligence Officials for Role in Abducting Former FBI Agent
Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence (MOI) serves as the long arm of the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism. Washington should treat it accordingly. On March 25, the U.S. Department of the Treasury...
Policy Briefs
‘Maximum Pressure’: Iran’s Rial Hits Record Low Due to U.S. Sanctions
Value Halved Within 8 Months: Iran’s currency collapsed to a record low on March 25. The Iranian rial fell to 1,039,000 against the U.S. dollar, less than half its value in July...