-
Northern Iraq struggles with Kurdish political divisions and security
Northern Iraq faces mounting security and political challenges as Iranian drone attacks continue to target Kurdish Iranian opposition groups, Iraqi forces conduct operations against the Islamic State, and political disputes threaten stability in Sinjar. These developments come amid growing tensions between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, complicating efforts to strengthen security and political stability following the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
-
Arab parties endorse Eisenkot for Israeli PM, IDF reports 52 ceasefire violations Oct. 16–Nov. 5
Record turnout among Arab voters in Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election nearly doubled the representation of Arab-led parties, potentially making them kingmakers in forming the next government. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces reported 52 ceasefire violations by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups between October 16 and November 5, as Israeli forces continued conducting strikes against militants and weapons facilities in Gaza.
-
Syria detains Hezbollah cell accused of Homs plot
On November 3, Syrian security forces arrested members of an alleged Hezbollah-linked cell accused of plotting an attack on a refinery near Homs, the latest in a series of operations targeting Hezbollah networks and arms smuggling since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. The arrests come amid expanding Syrian-Lebanese talks on border…
-
Lebanese military prosecutor charges 13 over Hezbollah explosives shipment
Lebanon’s military prosecutor charged 13 people over a shipment of explosives seized at Dahr al Baidar. Reporting on the prosecution identifies the alleged supplier, intended recipient, vehicle owner, and members of an accompanying transport team. The charges came as Lebanon’s government continued debating whether to transfer the case to the Judicial Council.
-
Afghan United Front leads October surge in claimed anti-Taliban attacks
Anti-Taliban resistance groups claimed 82 attacks in October, more than double September’s total, with the Afghan United Front leading the surge. Yet the emergence of new factions and the loss of another NRF commander underscore the challenges facing a resistance that remains divided.
-
Syria’s counterterrorism dilemma: Who can Washington trust?
A deadly attack on a Christian funeral in Jordan and subsequent Jordanian airstrikes in Syria have sparked a diplomatic dispute between Amman and Damascus. Bill Roggio is joined by FDD Senior Research Analyst Ahmad Sharawi to discuss the Islamic State’s possible involvement, the deteriorating security situation in southern Syria, and the implications for US counterterrorism…
-
Syria hosts Iraqi PM for visit amid security challenges in north and south
Syrian President Ahmad al Sharaa hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi in Damascus on October 28 for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade, and reviving energy cooperation. The historic visit came as Syria faces continuing security challenges, including a deadly Jordanian airstrike in the south, clashes with foreign jihadists in Idlib, and…
-
Florida teenager arrested in an Islamic State-linked bomb plot
A 15-year-old student in Gainesville, Florida, allegedly sought guidance from Islamic State members and supporters on building drones and explosives to attack people at an unidentified indoor location.
-
One war, many fronts: Iran and its proxies
The war with Iran is far from over, and the fight extends well beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Bill Roggio is joined by FDD Senior Fellow and former British Ambassador to Yemen Edmund Fitton-Brown to assess the status of the US-Iran conflict, Tehran’s efforts to break the American naval blockade, and the growing role of…
-
Afghanistan-Pakistan border clashes continue amid reported Pakistani outreach to anti-Taliban groups
Taliban and Pakistani forces have clashed at least three times since October 19, amid reports that Pakistani military and intelligence officials have met with members of Afghanistan’s anti-Taliban resistance to discuss possible support.
-
Poland selected to host Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile maintenance facility
Poland will host Europe’s first dedicated maintenance facility for the Patriot air defense system’s PAC-3 missiles, reducing repair and servicing times while strengthening regional air defense readiness. The initiative comes amid growing shortages of critical munitions and Poland’s broader efforts to expand its role in US weapons production and maintenance.
All Articles
-
Al Qaeda
Terror group ‘may tap into jihad’
-
Palestinian Territories
Palestinian PM offers to resign
-
Iran
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says U.S. midterm elections are “in fact a landmark victory of the Iranian nation.” Israel indicates it may strike Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Iran has bought SCUD missiles from North Korea and now “is able to provide its missile system to friendly nations that need it”.
-
Pakistan
UK’s ‘serious’ terror threat linked to Pakistan
-
India
6 killed and over 50 injured in mosque bombing in Srinagar
-
United Kingdom
British officials track almost 30 terror plots
-
Iraq
German president urges Europe to do more for Iraq
-
Iraq
Marine to Receive Medal of Honor for Heroism in Iraq
-
The al-Masri Victory Speech
Al-Masri declares victory in Iraq, Iraqi Army strikes at al Qaeda leader in Rawah Abu Ayyub al-Masri. Al-Qaeda in Iraq has weighed in on the U.S. midterm elections. Abu Ayyub al-Masri (a.k.a. Abu Hamza al-Muhajir), the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, has released an audiotape. In the tape, al-Masri praised the results of the midterm election, threatened continual attacks against the United States and Israel, declared allegiance to the Iraqi leader of the Mujahideen Shura, and devoted a large force to fight under his banner. “The al-Qaida army has 12,000 fighters in Iraq, and they have vowed to die…
-
Iran
Orwellian censorship
-
Dargai and AQAM
More on the Dargai suicide attack, and the role of AQAM A wounded Pakistani soldier from the Dargai suicide attack. Click image to view. The toll in the suicide attack on Pakistani Army recruits in Dargai in the Northwest Frontier Province has risen to 45 soldiers killed and wounded 20. Pakistani investigators are hunting for a second suspect, who was spotted near the scene of the bombing. It is likely he was a second suicide bomber. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf lashed out against the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, the Islamist political party that supports the Taliban and al Qaeda, for their role…
-
Iraq
Conflict in Iraq: The sniper who shoots on video
-
Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Karzai Discusses Worsening Security
-
Rumsfeld Reaction: 4 Policy Battles That Could Shape Our Military
-
CFR: Pakistan’s Tribal Areas
NWFP/FATA. Click map to view. Carin Zissis of the Council on Foreign Relations has written an overview of The Tribal Areas of Pakistan that is well worth a read. The article is an excellent primer on the history and politics of the region, Pakistan’s governance of the tribal areas, and the role of Islamist extremism. Ms. Zissis interviewed me for the article and I am quoted several times throughout the piece. One note: I suggested Pakistan needs to learn to fight the Taliban and al Qaeda insurgency ‘smarter’ and include economic and political benefits to support the pro-government elements in…
-
Pakistan
Militants in Pakistan attack army convoy, wounding 5 soldiers
-
Pakistan
Taliban fighters talk tactics – while safe in Pakistan
-
Iraq
Mubarak warns against hanging Saddam
-
Afghanistan
US surprised by strength of Taliban fightback
-
Iraq
Bomb Attacks Kill at Least 16 in Baghdad
