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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.
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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…
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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.
All Articles
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The Fall of Northwestern Pakistan: An Online History
Documenting the Taliban’s rise to power in Waziristan and beyond over the course of 2006 and 2007
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Caucasus
Five militants, collaborators voluntarily surrender in Chechnya
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Russia
Chechen al Qaeda commander Doku Umarov said he will continue the insurgency. Five Chechen fighters have surrendered over the past 24 hours. One policeman and 3 unidentified gunmen were killed when the gunmen attempted to cross the border from Chechnya into Ingushetia.
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Palestinian Territories
Terror Cells Tracked in Palestinian Territories
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Iraq
Federalism Plan Dead, Says Iraqi Speaker
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Afghanistan
Swedish troops come under fire in Afghanistan
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Syria
Jund al-Sham most active in Syria
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Iraq
Baghdad death squads kill 60, bombs kill 22
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Uzbekistan
Leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Tahir Yuldashev threatens presidents Karimov, Bakiyev, and Rakhmonov
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Pakistan
Taliban could spark Pashtun ‘national war’
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Europe
An al Qaeda cell was plotting to blow up a the main synagogue and other targets in Oslo, Norway. The cell was made up of Algerian GSPC, which is essentially al Qaeda’s organization in Africa.
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Correction: Report of Hekmatyar’s Capture Incorrect
Initial report of Hekmatyar’s capture was a case of mistaken identity On 9-11, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported “the commander of the Hizb-i-Islami militia in Hafezan in the eastern province of Nangarhar, Gulbuddin Hikmatyar, was arrested after credible intelligence led Afghan and coalition forces to his compound.” An independent intelligence source confirmed the initial report, which led to my post on this matter, however a subsequent identification by fingerprinting indicates the person in question is not Hekmatyar. The captured suspect is a high level commander in Hezb-i-Islami, and is said to be a dead ringer for Hekmatyar. The misidentification of terrorist commanders…
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Afghanistan
Canadians near mop-up phase for Afghan operation
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Pakistan
President Musharraf says the West responsible for extremism, and the “centre of gravity of terrorism has shifted from Al Qaeda to the Taliban.” NWFP Governor Orakzai, the man who orchestrated the Waziristan surrender, says the US military is not needed to track Osama bin Laden. Security around US diplomatic missions has been increased.
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Syria
Ship with N. Korean weapons seized enroute to Syria
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Iraq
Arm tribes to fight al Qaeda, say Sunnis
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Turkey
A bomber killed 7 and wounded 17 in the southern city of Diyarbakir. Turkey detains 23 militants in raids across the country, seizing weapons and explosives.
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Afghanistan
Afghan forces killed 26 Taliban rebels and captured 28
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Hezbollah
Nasrallah demands militant freed
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Israel
Israeli retreat ‘making progress’
