On the modern battlefield, combat is not only conducted through military strikes but also through images, videos, and, especially, narrative design. In recent years, the battle over public perception has become a central component of conflicts between states and terrorist entities, as they seek to
The Nagel Committee, established on the directive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in January 2025, defined the Turkish threat as a new and significant danger that could emerge in Syria if the Syrian regime were to become, in practice, a Turkish proxy. Such a development,
For years, the debate over Hezbollah has been accompanied by a central question: Is it a Lebanese organization operating in the interests of the state and the Shiite community, or an Iranian branch that primarily serves Tehran’s regional strategy? The organization itself has cultivated deliberate
Introduction This paper argues that Hezbollah’s decision to join the renewed 2026 war with Israel is neither a simple act of “axis discipline” nor just an automatic extension of its traditional resistance role, but the product of a narrowing strategic corridor shaped by three forces:
The war between the United States and Israel against Iran has exposed internal divisions within the Muslim Brotherhood (MB). While the parent movement in Egypt was quick to align itself with Iran, the MB in Syria has adopted a hostile stance toward Tehran, condemning its
On 11 January, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released an ideological document articulating an apocalyptic worldview in which the organization anticipates a Third World War that would fundamentally reshape the global order. According to the document, such a systemic transformation would create strategic opportunities
The escalation of terrorism in the Sahel region—as evidenced in late April 2026 by the extensive terrorist offensive launched by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), against several Malian cities including its capital—fuels a messianic vision for
Terrorism, human trafficking, migration, propaganda: the effects of the Sahel crisis extend far beyond Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Europe can no longer treat this region as an external arena. Bamako, the capital of Mali, is not the only target of the most recent onslaught
The security situation, reality, and its local and regional ramifications on the African continent are worse than they have ever been. Radical Islamic organizations are at their peak: Alongside a vast network of affiliates of the Islamic State (ISIS), stretching from West Africa to Central
Together with the Tuaregs of the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), the jihadists of JNIM (“Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen”) are on the rise in Mali, in a remarkable position of power against a weaker military junta, and are closer than ever to taking Bamako, the country’s
On April 25, 2026, a number of military locations, including Kati, the capital Bamako, Modibo-Keïta/Sénou International Airport, Gao, Kidal, Sévaré, and Mopti, were the target of coordinated strikes by the JNIM, the independent Tuareg rebels in Mali. The Malian army claims to have regained control
The President of Niger’s Chief of Special Staff insisted that conflict with France is coming during a meeting with young people in Niamey.[1] Relations between France and Niger are tense, and there are no signs of improvement. On the contrary, a senior member of the
Download In Africa, these days, a drama is unfolding that could change the world order on the black continent, against the backdrop of what appears to be the imminent fall of a huge country to the control of an extremist Islamist terrorist organization affiliated with
Download Abstract Since late 2023, the Handala Hack Team (HHT) has evolved into a sophisticated tool of Iranian-aligned psychological warfare, blending hacking with targeted influence operations to pressure Israel’s political ecosystem. The alleged “Bibi Gate” hacking campaign, claims of access to data from the phone
During March 2026, a series of attacks and antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish and Israeli sites were recorded worldwide, alongside foiled plots and arrests indicating ongoing intentions to carry out additional attacks. In Europe, several explosive attacks were carried out. On March 9, an explosive device
The Chanukah massacre of Sydney’s Jewish community. Australian authorities had good reasons to be more alert about the potential jihadist threat Introduction On December 14, 2025, a terrorist mass shooting occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Two gunmen targeted a “Chanukah by the Sea”
Introduction Bondi Beach, a central public space in Sydney, became the site of a terrorist attack against members of the Jewish community during a Hanukkah event. This incident occurred against the backdrop of a rise in antisemitic discourse and violence, including increased mobilization around anti-Zionist
Naim Qassem’s recent speech shows Hezbollah’s unsuccessful attempt to shape the narrative of power, to preserve the organization’s former prestige and the enduring legacy of Hassan Nasrallah. On October 26, Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s secretary-general, delivered what can be described as a “speech of justification”. In
Twenty-one years after its establishment in 2004, it joined the main Al-Qaeda group in Afghanistan under the moniker “Al-Qaeda in Iraq.” In 2014, due to disagreements between the top Al-Qaeda leadership and the group’s field commanders. [1] After breaking away from Al-Qaeda and establishing itself as a
The countries of Senegal, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan, and Eritrea are all part of the huge Sahel area, which stretches 5,600 kilometres from Guinea (Conakry) on the west coast to Sudan on the east coast. This region, home to
When the world’s focus is on Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, there is a tendency to think that everything is calm in Africa in general and the Sahel in particular and that there is no bad news from there. It seems that the countries of
ISWAP (Islamic State – West Africa Province) has managed to recruit a significant number of local fighters, especially among the Lukawara tribal militia. These new human resources allow it to be even more offensive. ISWAP has understood that it is important to exist in order
In Mali, the JNIM (Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin), led by Iyad Ag Ghali, who is linked to al-Qaeda, has been besieging the towns of Kayes and Nioro in the Sahel, in the southwest of the country, since September 3.[1] Passengers have been abducted, and the
The answer to the question in the headline seems trivial: it depends on who is targeted, for what purpose, and, no less importantly, where the target is assassinated. It turns out that decision-makers don’t always address this complex issue, and Israel pays a heavy price
Official circles in Mali’s capital, Bamako, are neither confirming nor disputing the departure of the Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group (P.M.C.) after three and a half years of presence. [1] As is well known, the Mali military junta has always denied that foreign mercenaries are
Originally Published by RAND Corporation The U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites Sunday had a concrete strategic objective: thwart Iran’s ability to enrich nuclear material and potentially build nuclear weapons. It was intended to make the world a safer place. At the moment, however, the
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso, accuses imperialist powers of supporting Islamic terrorist groups to maintain their influence in Africa in the face of Russian and Turkish takeovers. In an interview with the Russian media outlet Sputnik, broadcast on Radio Diffusion du Burkina (RTB)
Introduction The challenges associated with the expansion of jihadism in Africa, and especially towards the Gulf of Guinea countries, are formidable. Extremist Islamic terrorism occurs in a number of countries, including Ghana, Togo, Benin, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Guinea-Conakry. In several of these nations, there
Introduction Terrorism is a major and immediate threat to parts of the world in general and Africa in particular, which bears the brunt of its consequences every day. Among the regions most affected by radical Islamic terrorism is the Sahel, which has become, over the
Africa remains the epicenter of global terrorism, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 59% of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide. Terrorism is the most significant threat to peace, security, and sustainable development across the African continent. This trend will worsen in 2025 after the withdrawal of European
A jihadist state is a social structure that operates according to strict Islamic law, Sharia. It is led by a single leader, or caliph, who combines political and religious roles. The ultimate goal is a state with an unwavering religious regime, and everything modern and
Introduction Recent developments in Syria and Lebanon have dealt a substantial blow to Iran’s meticulously cultivated ‘axis of resistance,’ which has developed over the past four decades. This axis comprises a broad range of militant groups and political factions supported by Iran’s ideological, financial, and
The seizure of power in Syria by the Syrian rebels and the overthrow of the Assad regime in a remarkably short period represent a significant blow to the pro-Iranian resistance axis. This is particularly evident in light of the loss of a logistical, economic, and
The fall of the Assad regime within 12 days of the beginning of the rebel offensive, which came down from its stronghold in the Idlib region, is a dramatic, tectonic event, not only for Syria itself but for the entire Middle East, and to a
France continues to lose ground in Africa. This time, Chad turns in parallel with Sénégal. The visit of the Chadian president to France in September 2024 and his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron appear to have calmed relations between the two countries,[1] despite the opening
Abstract During 2020-2023, the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University conducted comprehensive research examining the challenges of Israel’s multi-front warfare and the implications for Israel’s preparedness in terms of the home front, the frontlines, and various operational arenas. Each chapter of the study
Download Beyond the opportunity to hear from an always impressive lineup of speakers and to directly engage with leading analysts and government officials from all parts of the world, one of the privileges of attending the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) World Summits over the
Abstract This article analyzes Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s and his successor’s endeavors to delineate the principles of the theocratic regime’s power framework. The transformation instigated by the Islamic Revolution resulted in a reconfiguration of identities, beliefs, norms, and policies, influencing the distribution of resources to enhance
Abstract This paper explores the extensive influence Iran and Hezbollah have cultivated within Shi’a diaspora communities across the globe over the past four decades. By embedding radical clerics and operatives in these communities, Hezbollah has fostered a network of ideological supporters and resources, often using
Abstract Since the October 7th Hamas attack and the ongoing war in Gaza, Israel faces a complex security landscape shaped by attacks from Iranian proxies across multiple theaters, including Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. Hezbollah joined the military campaign against Israel to divert its
Published in Hebrew by the Israeli daily Israel Hayom The massacre of 12 Druze children and dozens of wounded in Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights required a powerful response from Israel, following months of a war of attrition waged by Hezbollah against northern Israel,
Expert Insights: Dr. Eitan Azani, Acting Director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism Recent events in the Middle East have highlighted that the region resembles a multiplayer game with various local, regional, and international players. This is where the drama unfolds. It is not a
Abstract This paper explores the massacre in Barsalogho, Burkina Faso, on August 24, 2024, orchestrated by the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM). It details how JNIM exploited civilians forced by the Burkina Faso military to dig defensive trenches, only to become
Abstract This paper examines the severe and underreported refugee crisis in Burkina Faso, as identified by the Norwegian Refugee Council. Over the past decade, Burkina Faso has been ravaged by extremist violence from groups such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), al-Qaeda, and the Islamic
Abstract This paper investigates the decline of France’s colonial influence in Africa, focusing on its extensive military involvement in the Sahel from the late 2000s through operations such as Sabre, Serval, Épervier, Takuba, and Barkhane. Despite initial optimism, France’s intervention aimed at combating radical Islamic
Abstract This paper addresses the deteriorating internal security situation in Burkina Faso, attributed to escalating attacks by radical Islamic organizations across several regions. It traces the crisis’s roots to political instability following the 2014 ousting of President Blaise Compaoré and the spread of jihadist influence
Abstract This paper analyzes the dissolution of the G5 Sahel alliance, a regional cooperative framework established in 2014 to address security challenges and development policies in West Africa. The departure of Burkina Faso and Niger in 2023, following Mali’s exit in 2022, prompted the disbanding
Abstract This study examines the expanding operations of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition, in central and southern Mali and northern Burkina Faso. Through detailed analysis of recent sophisticated attacks by the Macina Liberation Front (MLF), a key JNIM faction, the paper
