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
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
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
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
Abstract This paper aims to analyze the link between organized crime and jihadist terrorism in the Sahel area and the wider Mediterranean in the light of European intervention. To this end, several examples, case studies, and data on the phenomenon will be offered to highlight
Abstract This article examines a thwarted Hezbollah terror plot targeting Jewish sites in Brazil, orchestrated by two Brazilian nationals of Middle Eastern descent, facilitated by Hezbollah’s shift in strategy from using trained agents to employing local recruits via intermediaries. The narrative unfolds with the arrest
Abstract This report investigates a sophisticated and extensive coordinate network orchestrating a disinformation campaign targeting Israeli digital spaces since October 7th, 2023. By using digital forensic strategies and network analysis, this research unearths the magnitude of knowledge, organization, and resource expenditure of the campaign. Network
Abstract This paper critically examines the escalating issue of violent Islamic extremism in Africa, spotlighting the significant rise in terrorist activities by groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda. Drawing on a July 2022 report from the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), it underscores the continent’s transformation
First published in Maariv Online. What will happen in the Gaza Strip the day after? It is clear to everyone what will not be there – no Hamas, no terrorist military capabilities, no education toward the destruction of Israel. The first challenge Israel faces is
First published as an op-ed in the Israeli daily Maariv. To understand the threat of the Houthis to Israel since the outbreak of the war against Hamas in Gaza and its regional consequences, it is necessary to understand the unique nature of the organization and
This analysis delves into the unfolding conflict in Mali, with a particular focus on the imminent confrontation in the city of Kidal. As the Malian army, in collaboration with the ‘Wagner Force’ militia, advances toward Kidal, this study seeks to analyze the regional implications and
Recent developments in the conflict between Hamas terrorist organization and Israel have seen Hamas call for a ‘rage day’ on Friday the 13th, urging supporters to take action against Israel from the West Bank, within Israel, and bordering states. Their call included encouragement for acts
On October 20, 2023, the ISIS organization published through the weekly “Alanba”, No. 413, an operation to support Muslims in Palestine. The document talks about three main ways in which believers around the world can join the campaign against Israel and in favor of the
In his recent speech broadcast Friday November 3rd, 2023 on Hezbollah’s media channels, Nasrallah addressed several key themes. Firstly, Nasrallah aimed to bolster popular support for the resistance movement by personally appealing to the families of martyrs (57 Hezbollah’s fighters were killed during the war).
In recent weeks, there has been a notable increase in terrorist activities within maritime spaces. Among others, on December 6, the British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) west of Port Hodeidah in Yemen.[1] On December 3rd, UKMTO reported another
Regime change as currently being promoted by the government, poses a genuine threat to the Israeli CT ConOps (concepts of operation), which is considered esteemed, leading, and has a powerful standing among its allies around the globe. Given the continued intensification of the judicial overhaul
The article explores the benefits, challenges, and potential impact of ChatGPT, an advanced chatbot powered by artificial intelligence. It appears that at this stage, it can be said that large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence (AI) models like ChatGPT have achieved a dramatic technological
Remarks from the Marrakech Platform: Second High-Level Event of Heads of Counter-Terrorism and Security Agencies Between 2-3 June 2023, Colonel (Res.) Miri Eisin, a fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University attended and participated in the Marrakech Platform: Second High-Level Event of
