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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 policy in the region.
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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 tensions surrounding the return of displaced Kurds in northern Syria.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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Jordanian Air Force strikes targets in Syria in retaliation for deadly church attack
On October 26, the Jordanian Air Force conducted multiple strikes against suspected Islamic State positions in southern Syria, targeting militants Jordan linked to an October 23 attack on a church in Karak that killed nine people and wounded dozens. Jordan said the strikes killed more than 20 militants, while Syrian authorities reported seven civilian deaths.
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Iraq juggles border security and ties with Iran, Syria, and Jordan
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi is seeking to strengthen border security and regional cooperation amid tensions with Iran over the closure of a key crossing in Iraq’s Maysan province, while also pursuing closer ties with Jordan and Syria. The developments come as Baghdad continues to face threats from Iranian-backed militias, concerns over instability along…
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Pakistani outreach presents a dilemma for Afghanistan’s anti-Taliban resistance
Pakistan’s reported outreach to anti-Taliban resistance groups reflects deteriorating ties with its longtime ally. But accepting Pakistani support could deepen divisions in the resistance and undermine its standing among Afghans who blame Islamabad for decades of bloodshed.
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Iraqi parliament approves most remaining cabinet appointments, including Iran-backed militia figures
After five months of negotiations, almost all remaining spots in Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi’s cabinet were approved by the parliament on October 15. Among the three deputy prime ministers is Laith al Khazali, whom the US State Department designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2020.
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The Houthis’ Red Sea power play
The Houthis are on the offensive in Yemen, threatening one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints and bringing the war back to Saudi Arabia’s doorstep. Bill Roggio is joined by FDD research analyst and Long War Journal contributor Bridget Toomey to discuss the Iranian-backed group’s renewed campaign to conquer Yemen, its advances along the…
All Articles
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Somalia
Talibizing Somalia
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United Kingdom
UK terror suspect ‘happy’ over 9/11
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Iraq
Fifty more bodies found in Baghdad
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France
Suspected international terrorist is deported to France
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Al Qaeda
GSPC: Al Qaeda’s “New” Ally
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Iraq
In a Volatile Region of Iraq, US Military Takes Two Paths
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Yemen
“Suicide bombers tried to strike two oil facilities in Yemen with explosives packed cars, but authorities foiled the attacks and at least two bombers were killed.” Four suicide vehicles were used.
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Pakistan
A low level government official is kidnapped in North Waziristan by “masked gunmen.” A journalist was shot and killed in Dera Ismail Khan.
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Turkey
(Turkey) Detained PKK Leader Released
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Al Qaeda
GSPC (the Algerian based Salafist Group for Call and Combat) has pledged allegiance to al Qaeda. Global Crisis Watch has the video and an analysis. A GSPC cell recently was disrupted while plotting to destroy the main synagogue and other targets in Oslo, Norway.
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Al Qaeda
The Martyr’s Wedding – TV show about a young man is being symbolically wed to the ‘virgin’ that awaits him in heaven
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Hezbollah
Hezbollah ‘still in south Lebanon’
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Sudan
Rebels say they may abandon Darfur pact, fight on
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Afghanistan
NATO fears new front in Afghanistan – Farah Province
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Senior al Qaeda Leader Killed, Another Captured
Task Force 145, the group tasked with hunting al Qaeda in Iraq, has been busy in Baghdad al Qaeda in Iraq’s Mujahideen Shura. The Iraqi Interior Ministry has announced the death of Abu Jaafar al-Liby, a senior al Qaeda commander during a raid in Baghdad. Four other terrorists were killed and two captured during the operation. Al-Liby’s stature within al Qaeda in Iraq will be immediately called in question as the Interior Ministry has stated he is the second in command of the organization. The Associated Press describes al-Liby as follows: Al-Liby had been in charge of the Baghdad sector…
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Iraq
U.S. forces raid a Sadr office in Diwaniya, the scene of a battle between the Iraqi Army and Mahdi Army last month. The Iraqi Interior Ministry states a high level al Qaeda commander Abu Jaafar al-Liby has been killed, and Coalition forces state another unnamed member has been captured.
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Philippines
The Army claims Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah ‘Terrorists [are] trapped in mountains’ in Sulu. Brigadier General Juancho Sabban said JI leader Umar Patek “died from the wounds he suffered” in battle. Chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. says there is “no evidence to verify the info that Patek and Janjalani have been killed.”
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Al Qaeda
al Qaeda’s pointman in Lebanon: Abu Rushd al-Miqati
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Pakistan
Fourteen Taliban were arrested in raid on a hospital in Quetta. A Pakistani official says the ‘Waziristan pact won™t stop surgical strikes™ against al Qaeda. Alexis Debat discusses the powerful Al Qaeda-Taliban network in Waziristan.
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Somalia
Border tension between Somaliland, Puntland
