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Terrorism

Policy Analysis on Terrorism

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Iraqi Basij logo
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Iraqi Basij
Formed by Ashab al-Kahf and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, this Persian-named violent protest movement has been used to carry out threats against the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
Jul 20, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
A woman at the Al-Hawl (or Al-Hol) detention camp in Syria - source: Reuters
Video
Articles & Testimony
The Problem with al-Hol: The Future for ISIS-Affiliated Families
Watch this video explainer detailing the challenges arising from the tens of thousands of foreign detainees awaiting repatriation in Syrian camps.
Jul 18, 2023
◆
  • Devorah Margolin
AK protests cover
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Ashab al-Kahf's "Iraqi Basij" and the Threat Against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad
The militia entity has created a new Persian-named protest group and called on mobs to storm the embassy compound.
Jul 17, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Tsurkov
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Militia Propagandists Comment on Tsurkov Kidnapping
The March kidnapping has been widely attributed to Kataib Hezbollah, while most militia commentators link the incident to supposed Israeli spying.
Jul 7, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Brg 16
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Infighting Between Northern Hashd Units Requires IRGC-QF Mediation
Iran's senior Revolutionary Guard operator in Kirkuk and religious-political leader Ammar al-Hakim were recently brought in to mediate between feuding state-paid militias.
Jul 6, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Photo showing fighters from the Somali terrorist group al-Shabab.
Brief Analysis
More Emirati Military Involvement in Somalia Could Help Curb al-Shabab
The United Arab Emirates has much to offer if it chooses deeper military involvement in the fight against al-Shabab, but it would need to coordinate closely with other actors, especially the United States, to optimize its contribution.
Jun 27, 2023
◆
  • Ido Levy
Families of Islamic State fighters in Syria - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
The Future of Repatriation from Northeast Syria
From potential SDF trials to Assad’s steady normalization, the widening number of “known unknowns” has increased the urgency of taking action on Islamic State detainees.
Jun 26, 2023
◆
  • Devorah Margolin
Palestinians throw stones near the West Bank border with Israel.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Danger of Violent Escalation in the West Bank
The West Bank is rapidly becoming Israel’s most active front, with terrorist incidents increasing, extremist settler groups rampaging in response to the murder of Jews, and near-daily clashes becoming more intense as Israeli forces arrest armed youths planning further attacks.
Jun 23, 2023
◆
  • Ehud Yaari
AK escalation
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Three New Facade Groups Launched in Iraq
Efforts are being made to create new brands for anti-American "resistance" on Iraqi soil, even as politically connected militias try to distance themselves from kinetic attacks on U.S. targets.
Jun 12, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Salman Rushdie, attacker Hadi Matar, cell phone, Qasem Soleimani
Maps & Graphics
In-Depth Reports
Is Iran Looking to Inspire Shia Homegrown Violent Extremist Attacks?
Amid a social media space rife with inflammatory content, two attacks last year showcased the willingness of Iran-inspired perpetrators to act.
Jun 12, 2023
◆
  • Moustafa Ayad
  • Matthew Levitt
PMF troops in Iraq
Articles & Testimony
Washington Keeps a Watchful Eye as the PMF Consolidates Its Dominance in Iraq
The Biden administration’s low-key, patient approach with Prime Minister Sudani has produced some positive results, but the lesson of Hezbollah and the Houthis is that Iranian proxies tend to cement their grip over a state when left unchecked.
Jun 8, 2023
◆
  • David Schenker
Tunisian police guard the site of a terrorist attack - soucre: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
All Quiet on the North African Jihadi Front
Dwindling terrorist activity in the region stands in sharp contrast to sub-Saharan Africa, but changing local dynamics and other factors could revive the threat quickly.
Jun 6, 2023
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
A woman at the Al-Hawl (or Al-Hol) detention camp in Syria - source: Reuters
Video
Brief Analysis
What to Do With Families of Islamic State Foreign Fighters
Backed by hard data, on-the-ground observations, and best practices, three experts explore the thorny question of repatriating the children and spouses of imprisoned jihadists.
Jun 5, 2023
◆
  • Martyn Warr
  • Austin Doctor
  • Devorah Margolin
◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series
Muhandis Company Logo tight
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Arabic Original of Muhandis General Company Articles of Incorporation
PDF copy of the Arabic original of the February 26, 2023, articles of incorporation of the Muhandis General Company for Construction, Engineering and Mechanical, Agricultural and Industrial Contracting (hereafter shortened to Muhandis General Company).
Jun 5, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Muhandis General Company articles of incorpration front page
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Certificate of Incorporation of the Muhandis General Company
A translation of the articles of incorporation for a major IRGC-like firm run by Iraq's "resistance" militias.
Jun 3, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Fayyad says that PMF is 204k
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Extraordinary Popular Mobilization Force Expansion, by the Numbers
The PMF is growing fast by every metric, from budget to authorized manpower to training and economic programs, though militia leaders seem wary of highlighting this expansion.
Jun 3, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Brief Analysis
Sanctioning a Syrian Jihadist Leader: Implications of a Joint U.S.-Turkish Designation
Their willingness to sanction the top HTS money man after years without a designation suggests that the group’s charm offensive has not assuaged concerns in either capital.
Jun 2, 2023
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Brief Analysis
Last Call for UNIFIL? Israel and Hezbollah in a 2006 Deja Vu
The exchange of threats between Israeli and Hezbollah officials is just one in a series of developments indicating higher risk of miscalculation and large-scale regional conflict.
Jun 2, 2023
◆
  • Assaf Orion
AK cover
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Ashab al-Kahf Seeks Recruitment Gains from Hints of Violent Operations
The group has been posting more theatrical messages to suggest it is a real armed "resistance" movement, but without any evidence of actual kinetic operations.
May 29, 2023
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Yemeni rebel soldiers in Aden
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Political Settlement in Yemen: Challenges and Future Prospects
In order to reach a sustainable political settlement in Yemen, all parties must be involved in negotiating the geographic and military dimensions of the country's future.
May 23, 2023
◆
  • Adel Dashela

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Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence

The Washington Institute's Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence serves as Washington's premier center for the study of international terrorism.

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Featured experts

Matthew Levitt
Matthew Levitt
Matthew Levitt is the Fromer-Wexler Fellow and director of the Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at The Washington Institute.
Devorah Margolin
Devorah Margolin
Devorah Margolin is the Blumenstein-Rosenbloom Fellow at The Washington Institute.
Aaron Zelin
Aaron Y. Zelin
Aaron Y. Zelin is the Richard Borow Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy where his research focuses on Sunni Arab jihadi groups in North Africa and Syria as well as the trend of foreign fighting and online jihadism.
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