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Analysis: The role of Iraqi Shia militias as proxies in Iran’s Axis of Resistance
Iraq’s Shia militias play a unique part in Iran’s Axis of Resistance and present distinct challenges for the US, Israel, and the Iraqi state. Notably, a more direct conflict between the militias and the US and Israel would imperil the Iraqi government’s ability to balance its relationships with Iran and the US, along with the country’s essential stability.
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Multi-front drone threats against Israel increase
Israel faces a rising drone threat from Iranian-backed proxies. On October 22, Israel confirmed that a drone attack on October 19 had struck a residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hezbollah took responsibility for the attack. Hezbollah also killed four IDF soldiers and wounded 60 in an attack on an IDF training base on October 13. Israel’s Minister of Defense held a trial for defense companies to showcase technology to counter drone threats on October 14.
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Iran-backed militias target US base in Iraq
Iran-backed militias relaunched attacks on US bases in Iraq amid internal rifts within Iraq’s Shia Coordination Framework. Significant factions want an end to the international coalition’s mission and the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq.
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Iran-backed Iraqi militia threatens to strike US interests should Israel attack Lebanon
The leader of Asaib Ahl al Haq, a dangerous and influential Iran-backed Iraqi militia, threatened US bases in the event of a large-scale Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Iran’s proxies are renewing strikes against US bases in the region.
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Generation Jihad Ep. 144 — Battlefield innovation by Iran and proxy: “Expect more not less”
Bill and Behnam discuss reports of Iran sending ballistic missiles to Russia and the potential for subsequent U.S. sanctions on Tehran (and why that’d be insufficient); why the head of the IRGC Quds Force allegedly paid a recent visit to Iraq; an update on the Houthi-Gulf of Aden-Bab al Mandeb-Red Sea theater, including a new underwater drone threat and why if we happen to see the Iranians “de-escalate” in one theater it’s because they’re preparing to escalate in another (and not because they’ve been “deterred”).
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Generation Jihad Ep. 131 — Terrorists will be terrorists
Bill and Behnam unpack this week’s headlines from the Middle East, including the assassination of Hamas deputy Saleh al-Arouri; the U.S. strike that killed Iran-backed militia commander Abu Taqwa Al-Saedi in Iraq (and subsequent drama with the Iraqi government); the U.S.-led coalition dubbed Prosperity Guardian’s “final warning” to the Houthis; and the ISIS bombings at a memorial in Kerman, Iran for slain IRGC-QF commander Qassim Suleimani.
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Generation Jihad Ep. 122 — Israel at War: December 4, 2023
Bill and Joe are joined again by FDD Senior Fellow and Iran expert Behnam Ben Taleblu to discuss the latest regional updates surrounding Israel’s war against Hamas (and then some).
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Generation Jihad Ep. 121 — Israel at War: December 1, 2023
Bill and Joe are back with an update on Israel’s now-resumed war in Gaza, and they’re joined by FDD Senior Fellow and Hezbollah expert David Daoud. They discuss the latest activity from Hezbollah at Israel’s border with Lebanon, U.S. funding to the Lebanese Armed Forces (or as Bill calls it: “giving crack to a crackhead”), the pieces in play on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regional chessboard, and more.
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Generation Jihad Ep. 112 — Israel at War: November 1, 2023
Bill and Joe provide a mid-week update on Israel and Gaza — including Joe’s key takeaway from today’s IDF conference call, IDF tactics on the ground inside Gaza (particularly related to the tunnels), Hezbollah propaganda ahead of Hassan Nasrallah’s Friday speech, and more.
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Generation Jihad Ep. 111 — Israel at War: October 30, 2023
The war goes on; rockets are still raining down on central Israel (including Jerusalem) while Israel continues targeting Hamas leaders in Gaza. But… Breaking today and over the weekend: Israeli boots are now on the ground inside Gaza. There was also some IDF activity in Jenin inside the West Bank. Iran’s President Raisi gaslit said on X that, “the Zionist regime’s crimes have crossed the red lines which may force everyone to take action.” While Lebanese Hezbollah is still keeping things at a simmer just below the threshold of all-out war, other Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria are very…
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Lebanese Hezbollah Making Preparations to Target US Troops in Syria
Musa Ali Daqduq, a Hezbollah military commander and Specially Designated Global Terrorist, is training the “Golan Unit” to attack American troops operating in Syria.
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Ep. 37 – How Hezbollah Profits from Black Cocaine
FDD senior fellow Emanuele Ottolenghi joins hosts Tom Joscelyn and Bill Roggio to discuss the history of Iran’s and Hezbollah’s illicit activities across Central and South America, including the trafficking of “black cocaine.”
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Collecting and analyzing Shiite militia attacks against the U.S. presence in Iraq
There have been at least 43 attacks using rockets and/or mortars on U.S. positions in Iraq by Iranian-backed Shiite militias. These attacks shed light on Iranian and allied-Shiite militia intentions and strategy.
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Iraqi Shia militias show US-made equipment on road to Samarra
Iranian-backed Shia militias in Iraq continue to showcase both the ownership and usage of US-made vehicles and equipment.
