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Generation Jihad | China, Russia, Iran, North Korea: Inside the Axis of Aggressors
China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea aren’t just aligned in rhetoric—they’re actively coordinating to erode American military, economic, and cyber dominance. In this episode, Generation Jihad’s Bill Roggio sits down with Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power, and Ryan Brobst, CMPP deputy director, to unpack the real-world mechanics behind this dangerous authoritarian convergence.
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Fighting in Yemen escalates, raising concern of a return to civil war
The Houthis launched drone and missile attacks on Yemeni forces and civilian infrastructure across three of Yemen’s governorates on August 6. The attacks have escalated fighting in the country while the Iran-backed terror group is simultaneously targeting Saudi Arabia and ships in the Red Sea.
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IRGC-Qods Force commander Qaani travels to Iraq amid pressure over militia weapons
Gen. Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), traveled to Iraq as Baghdad moves forward with legislation to place all weapons under state control. The visit came amid continued Iranian drone and missile attacks on Kurdish opposition groups in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq.
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From Guantanamo Bay to ISCAP: The case of Jamal Kiyemba
In 2002, Jamal Kiyemba, a Ugandan national living in the United Kingdom, was arrested in northwest Pakistan after allegedly attempting to join Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and was sent to the US prison facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Released in 2006 and sent to Uganda, Kiyemba has since been in and out of prison, most…
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Generation Jihad | Losing ground: Somalia and Mali’s jihad problem
The US is losing leverage in Somalia as frustration with Mogadishu threatens critical African Union support and risks strengthening Al Shabaab’s hold. In Mali, renewed US airstrikes against JNIM raise a parallel concern—whether air power alone, without a ground strategy or political reform, can contain the group’s advance. Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss examine these…
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Analysis: North Korean missile deployment raises urgency of Ukraine’s Starlink plea
North Korea is reportedly dispatching as many as 120 additional ballistic missiles to Ukraine as the embattled country searches for ways to destroy Russian missile launchers.
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Sudanese Armed Forces gains in civil war force strategic adjustment from paramilitia rival
The Sudanese military’s recapture of the Al Sadarat highway marks its most significant success against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the fourth year of the Sudanese civil war. However, the RSF’s shift toward tribal mobilization and the growing role of foreign-backed drone warfare suggest the conflict’s broader cycle of adaptation and attrition will continue.
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Afghan United Front commences operations against Taliban
The Afghan United Front has emerged as the first major Pashtun-led resistance organization to launch operations against the Taliban. The group’s likely focus on operations in southern Afghanistan would expand resistance organizations’ historical focus in the country’s north.
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Houthis escalate attacks in Red Sea and on Saudi Arabia, Riyadh evaluates options
Yemen’s Houthis claimed attacks on eight Saudi-linked vessels as well as energy facilities and an airport to enforce its blockade of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is reportedly pursuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate the conflict or military options if necessary.
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Iraq pressured by regional countries to rein in Iran-backed militias as new data on extent of attacks released
Iraq faces mounting pressure to rein in the militias while balancing tensions with neighboring countries, the US, and Iran. The Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq has come under nearly 1,000 drone and missile attacks by Iran and its proxies since late February, underscoring the growing threat posed by Tehran’s network of militias.
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Board of Peace announces Hamas disarmament agreement, IDF reports 32 Gaza ceasefire violations July 10–31
US President Donald Trump announced a 15-point Board of Peace roadmap transferring Gaza’s governance and security responsibilities. The plan links verified Hamas disarmament to phased Israeli withdrawal, but sequencing remains disputed.
All Articles
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The IRA Bows Out
The Irish Republican Army has announced it will lay down its arms and press forward with devolution – the political process of obtaining local governing rights within the United Kingdom. The timing of the IRA decision is curious, and one cannot help think the London attacks played some part in the decision by the IRA to end their thirty year campaign of terror. Armed Liberal posits “the political cost of terrorism just went up” , that there is less tolerance to acts of terrorism among the traditional financial support in the American Northeast since 9/11, and particularly in London since…
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Diplomatic Murders and the Sahel
The murders of the Egyptian and Algerian diplomats in Iraq reinforces the fact that al Qaeda’s war is not only against the United States, but also against Muslim governments. As discussed in al Qaeda’s Diplomatic Mission, one goal of the murders is to discredit the Iraqi government and force foreign governments to withdraw their diplomatic missions. Another purpose is to destabilize Arab governments considered apostates for their unwillingness to adhere to the Islamist form of government and for their cooperation with Western governments. This can be clearly seen in the case of the kidnapping and murder of the Algerian diplomats.…
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Warning Shots
Syria’s involvement in hosting and facilitating foreign terrorists and elements of the Iraqi insurgency has been common knowledge for some time now. While the Asad regime claims to continue with the arrest and deportation of foreign terrorists entering Iraq, the Iraqi government appears to be losing patience. Iraq’s Minister of the Interior Bayan Jabr has stated he has have made specific requests to Syria to turn over wanted members of the insurgency. Predictably, Syria responds by using the Israeli card. Syrian authorities have been sent the names of 25 people wanted for crimes committed in Iraq, as well as documents…
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Back to the ‘Stan
As Afghanistan’s September 18 election approaches, fighting intensifies in country and along the Afghan-Pakistan border. In an assault on a Taliban base camp, 50 were killed and 25 captured. Reports indicate more dead are being discovered. This follows on the heels of battles along the Pakistan border, as well as in Pakistan’s tribal region of North Waziristan, where about 100 Taliban were killed or captured (Security Watchtower has the details). While Pakistan’s efforts to secure the border leaves much to be desired, the murder of tribal leaders working with the Pakistani government indicates the Taliban/al Qaeda supporters view the cooperation…
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Iraq: Facts vs Failure
The media’s portrayal of Iraq as a miserable failure proceeds apace. Dexter Filkins and David S. Cloud, in an article titled Defying U.S. Efforts, Guerrillas in Iraq Refocus and Strengthen,, declare the following about the insurgents: “They just keep getting stronger.” The Sunday Herald claims Zarqawi is moving terrorists out of Iraq and into Europe because of an abundance of fighters. John Burns states a civil war is being fought in Iraq, and asks if we know it? Edward Wong maintains Fallujah is becoming a terrorist haven all over again without providing much evidence other than bombings that occurred 20…
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Analysis: The Sharm el-Sheikh Bombings
First of all, I’d like to thank Bill Roggio for giving me the opportunity to blog on recent events concerning the Sinai bombings while WoC is having its Good News Saturday. For those who haven’t been following the recent trend of Islamist violence in Egypt I would recommend this post covering the Taba bombings as well as the relevant results from this search on Rantburg. Oddly enough, for those who know my history, this is one of those rare moments when I find myself agreeing with Juan Cole in his initial analysis of the attacks. Ever since terrorism came back…
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The Real Root Cause
As the investigation into yesterday’s unsuccessful attacks in London and the manhunt for suspects proceeds, it becomes increasingly likely the perpetrators were members of the same organization that carried out the 7/7 attacks. Police indicate the backpacks, explosives and design of the bombs were identical to those used in 7/7. The bombs contained nails to maximize their killing power. A suspect wearing a backpack and winter coat was killed by police in the London tubes. The attacks on London have given the Jihadis the opportunity to voice their opinion on the legal justification of suicide bombing, the murdering of innocents…
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London, Round 2
Exactly two weeks after the terrorist attacks on the London tubes which killed 54 and wounded over 700, London has been subjected to another round of bombings on its transit system. Reports are sketchy and still being sorted out. The Counterterrorism Blog is the best place to receive up-to-date links to news reports and expert commentary. At this point, four explosions have been recorded – three at subway stations and one on a bus – and two unexploded devices may have been recovered. The explosions do not appear to have caused serious damage, and only one injury has been reported.…
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The River War Continues
Coalition forces have encountered two hard days of fighting in the city of Rawah, located on the Euphrates River about 50 miles west of Qusaybah, which is situated on the Syrian border. Soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division’s Stryker Brigade Combat Team have moved into the city to interdict the ratline and establish a presence. Elements of the battalion arrived here late Saturday night to set up a permanent combat outpost here. The move is part of an effort, involving Army, Marine, Air Force and special operations forces to prevent what is believed to be a strong presence…
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A Not-so-grand Strategy
Al Qaeda in Iraq and Zarqawi now appears to recognize the futility of conducting military operations alone to achieve victory in Iraq. The SITE Institute reports the recently released publication of Zarqawi’s magazine, Thurwat al-Sinam, discusses grand strategy, which extends beyond pure combat operations. This issue is the first edition of the publication to explicitly reference military strategy, delineating five sectors or “fields” of jihad: military, security and intelligence, medical, information, and economic. Throughout the issue, the authors reiterate that if the mujahideen focus only on military operations, regardless of their successes in battle, they will lose the jihad on…
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Hearts, Minds and Suicide Bombs
al Qaeda continues to dispense terror to the people of the Muslim world using the tool they have mastered: the suicide bomb. A day following the horrific attack on Iraqi children in Baghdad that killed 24 children and wounded and maimed scores, further attacks using suicide bombs are conducted. Al Qaeda obviously believes the tactic of using suicide bombs against civilian targets is working, but they fail to properly gauge the impact of their gruesome methods. John Tabin of The American Spectator brings to light a survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project that should give the jihadis pause (hat…
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Zarqawi vs Barqawi
The recent statements and arrest of Zarqawi’s mentor, Isam Mohammad Taher al-Barqawi (a.k.a Sheik Abu-Mohammed al-Maqdisi) exposes dissention in the ranks of al Qaeda’s leadership. Just prior to Barqawi’s internment, he conducted an interview for al Jazeera, ostensibly to criticize his prot
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Flash Presentation: al Qaeda Attacks Since 1998
The following visual presentation is a compilation of the major al Qaeda attacks since the creation of the International Islamic Front and their subsequent declaration of war in February of 1998. Click this link to view the presentation. You will need to install Macromedia Flash Player, which can be downloaded here. The purpose of the presentation is to graphically demonstrate al Qaeda’s ability to conduct mass casualty assaults on a global scale. This presentation by no means documents every single al Qaeda attack. For example, the murders of journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan and USAID executive Lawrence Foley in Jordan…
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A Profile in Terror: Abu Musab al-Suri
Abu Musab al-Suri (a.k.a. Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, Omar Abdel Hakim) is a prime suspect in the London 7/7 attacks. Counterterrorism expert Evan Kohlmann of Global Terror Alert and The Counterterrorism Blog provides a detailed profile of al-Suri (the Syrian) as well as video from in 2000. His connections to radical Islam run deep. Abu Musab al-Suri (a.k.a. Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, Omar Abdel Hakim) was born in October 1958 in Aleppo, Syria. Nasar was a member of the radical Syrian Muslim Brotherhood and was forced to seek exile from his homeland during the 1980s, traveling throughout the Middle East and North…
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Exit Sword, Enter Scimitar
As London recovers from the attack on its transportation system, Coalition forces continue on the offensive in Iraq’s Anbar province. Operation Sword was directed at the city of Hit, which lies west of Fallujah along the Euphrates river, has completed. Unlike some recent search & destroy operations in the Anbar province, Sword has left an Iraqi force in garrison. Hit joins the major cities of Ramadi, Habbaniyah and Fallujah in having persistent presence of Iraqi Security Forces. Hit is now the Al Anbar city furthest west to maintain a fully-trained ISF presence. There are now approximately 1,500 more trained Iraqi…
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The London 7/7 Hunt Begins
The confirmed number of deaths at this moment is 33, with about 350 wounded. This excludes the number of those killed on the double-decker bus. While rescue operations are the highest priority, it is vital for the government to react immediately to prevent the escape of terrorist who conducted today’s attacks. Wretchard at Belmont Club speculates on the size and experience of the al Qaeda strike team. By implication the personnel involved received some degree of training and planned the operation in sufficient secrecy to prevent British security services from getting wind of it. The six attacks probably mean that…
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London Falling
London has been rocked by a series of multiple terrorist attacks directed at its transportation system. Initial reports indicate six bombs were detonated in London’s subway system and one on a double-decker bus. Casualty reports are unreliable at the moment, but if the account of Roger Clark, a witness to the bombing of the double-decker bus, is accurate, London has suffered a devastating attack. “The top rear section of the bus exploded, ripping apart the whole of the bus,” he told CNN. “It lifted about 10 meters above the bus.” The bus, he said, had been “packed” with people. A…
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al Qaeda’s Diplomatic Mission
Al Qaeda’s diplomatic war continues in Iraq. Zarqawi has threatened to murder the Egyptian ambassador, condemning him to a sham Islamic court where the sentence has been predetermined; “the Islamic court of the Al-Qaeda Organization in the Land of Two Rivers has decided to refer the ambassador of the state of Egypt, an ally of the Jews and the Christians, to the mujahedeens so that they can execute him.” Photographic evidence of the Egyptian ambassador’s identity documents is offered as proof of his capture. The assaults on the Muslim diplomats have had little effect on influencing nations to flee. Pakistan…
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al Qaeda Strategy: More of the Same
The Iraqi insurgency appears to be making another concerted effort to deter foreign governments from establishing diplomatic missions in country. Attacks on foreign diplomats are nothing new in Iraq. We have seen this in the past with attacks on the Jordanian embassy and the UN Special Mission in the summer of 2003, the Turkish embassy and International Red Cross headquarters in October of 2003, and the Australian embassy in January of 2005. In the past few days, Al Qaeda has taken credit for the kidnapping of the newly appointed Egyptian ambassador, the charge d’affaires of Bahrain’s diplomatic mission was injured…
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Profiles of Saudi Terrorists
What is the profile of the average foreign fighter entering Iraq to fight the nascent Iraqi government and US forces? As Saudis make up the majority of those entering Iraq (about 55%) it is instructive to look at the history of the Saudi Islamists killed in Iraq. Evan Kohlmann has profiled some of the Saudis that have entered Iraq to fight against the US military. The Saudis can be roughly classified into two categories: the uninitiated and the veteran jihadis. The uninitiated have no practical experience or training in terrorist activities, but are highly motivated to fight, while the veterans…
