Taliban pushes Osama bin Laden truther conspiracy theories
The Taliban denied that Osama bin Laden was responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S. and questioned whether he was killed by U.S. soldiers in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011.
Yearly Archives: 2021
Taliban rejects U.S. peace plan, six month extension in withdrawal deadline
The Taliban has publicly rejected a proposal to share power with the “quisling administration,” meaning the Afghan government. The group also outright rejects elections, and warns that attacks on American and NATO troops will resume if they are not withdrawn by May 1.
Israel resumes airstrikes against Iran’s proxy network in Syria
Israel continues its ‘war between the wars’ campaign as it attempts to thwart Iran’s proxy network in Syria and abroad.
Analysis: Al Qaeda continues to operate throughout Afghanistan
Based on reports from Al Qaeda, the United Nations, and press reports, the terror group and its allies are operating in 21 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.
Yemen, Syria and Iran’s capabilities: A look at Israel’s strategic view of key proxy conflicts in the MidEast
Israel is concerned about Iran’s role in Syria and Yemen, as well as its continued support for groups that threaten Israel. A recent discussion with an Israeli senior defense official provided an insight into Israel’s concerns and how these conflict areas have developed. A previous post at the FDD’s Long War Journal looked an overview of the […]
Ep. 46 — Waiting for a withdrawal decision
Hosts Tom Joscelyn and Bill Roggio briefly discuss recent reporting on the Biden administration’s deliberations concerning a withdrawal from Afghanistan. They also discuss ISIS’ surge in Mozambique. Powered by RedCircle Take a look around the globe today and you’ll see jihadists fighting everywhere from West Africa to Southeast Asia. They aren’t the dominant force in […]
As U.S. seeks peace, Taliban celebrates its jihadist training camps
The Taliban continues to promote its training camps that pump out jihadist fighters who indiscriminately attack Afghan civilians, soldiers and police.
Shabaab recommends black seed and honey to combat coronavirus
Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, uses recent reports concerning potential problems with the AstraZeneca vaccine to present itself as a legitimate governing force.
Jaysh al-Ummah emir offers solution to ‘Palestinian case’, derides ‘Resistance’ leaders
The emir of Jaysh al-Ummah in Gaza, Sheikh Mujahid Abu Hafs al-Maqdisi, offers solutions to solve the ‘Palestinian case’ while accusing Palestinian leaders of corruption.
NDS kills Al Qaeda commander in eastern Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security killed an Al Qaeda commander and a Taliban leader during a recent operation in the eastern province of Paktika. The two supported Al Qaeda’s operations in the east and planned and supported high profile attacks.
Islamic State claims capture of coastal city in Mozambique
Mozambique, however, claims the fighting is still ongoing for control over the city. If its capture is confirmed, this is the second major town to fall under the control of the Islamic State’s local wing.
Taliban threatens to ‘continue its Jihad’ if U.S., NATO forces remain in Afghanistan
After President Biden said it would be difficult for the U.S. to leave Afghanistan by May 1, 2021, the Taliban threatened to “continue its Jihad and armed struggle against foreign forces.”
Islamic State kills hundreds in massacres across the Sahel
Almost 300 people have been killed in a series of mass killings in Niger and on a military position inside Mali. The Islamic State has officially claimed just one of the attacks, but it is believed to have carried out all of the massacres.
Latest al-Qassam Brigades publication touts its military advancements
Al-Qassam Brigades publishes “The evolution of military tactics, 15 years of steadfastness, development and accumulation of strength 2006-2021,” in an effort to highlight its military strength.
Taliban celebrates 2002 battle in which it defended Al Qaeda
The Taliban’s celebration of Mullah Saif ur Rahman Mansoor and the battle of Shahi Kot is a reminder of the Taliban’s enduring relationship with Al Qaeda.
Analysis: Israel’s key Middle East concerns in 2021
As Iran tensions grow in the region, a look at Israel’s view of the necessity for a robust US role in the Middle East
Latest U.S. proposal for ending Afghan conflict runs counter to Taliban beliefs
The plan called for the current Afghan constitution to serve as the framework for a future constitution, elections, and power sharing, all of which have been flatly rejected by the Taliban in the past.
Al Qaeda leader threatens Myanmar in new video
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri threatens Myanmar in a newly released video, which attempts to connect the plight of Muslims there to the jihadists’ global struggle.
State Department designates Islamic State in DRC, Mozambique
Both wings collectively represent the Islamic State’s Central African Province, which the UN recently noted as one of the Islamic State’s most ‘dependable’ affiliates.
Israeli Defense Minister Surreptitiously Reveals Hezbollah Locations in Lebanon
Israel continues its campaign of revealing Hezbollah military sites embedded within Lebanon’s civilian population.
Shabaab mounts prison break in northern Somalia
Shabaab says it freed more than 400 prisoners from the central prison of Bosaso in northern Somalia, however, this number remains unconfirmed. The group also reiterates that prison assaults are one of its main goals in its fight against the Somali state.
Analysis: Iranian state textbooks incite terrorism
Unsurprisingly, Iran’s official government textbooks continue to incite hatred, extremism, and terrorism.
Afghan security forces withdrawing from checkpoints, bases
Nearly forty percent of the police checkpoints across Afghanistan have been shut down. The Afghan Army abandoned a military base in Badghis, giving the Taliban full control of a district.
Ep. 45 — President Biden’s Decision Points
Hosts Tom Joscelyn and Bill Roggio explain why President Biden should be clear-eyed when it comes to making decisions about the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some argue the U.S. should stay in Afghanistan to further the “peace process,” but there is no evidence that such a “process” even exists. Powered by RedCircle […]
Analysis: Hezbollah renews threats in publication, fails to make an impression
Recent publications by Hezbollah have failed to get the message across to its intended audience which suggests the effectiveness of some of the group’s propaganda is waning.
Ep. 44 — The Abraham Accords
Varsha Koduvayur, a senior research analyst at FDD, joins the podcast to discuss the Abraham Accords, recent announced reforms in Saudi Arabia and the war in Yemen.
Hezbollah publication says Israel has become talkative, warns its defeat is coming
Hassan Nasrallah chastised Israel in a recent publication by the Shiite proxy group after recent warnings by the IDF about the group’s activities in Lebanon.
AQAP leader cites U.S. Capitol riot as evidence of America’s supposed decline
Khalid Batarfi, the emir of AQAP, appears in a video released today. His commentary proves that he was not detained late last year, as some reports said.
Ep. 43 — The Status of ISIS and Al Qaeda
Edmund Fitton-Brown again joins the podcast to discuss the United Nations Security Council’s latest report on ISIS and Al Qaeda.
Taliban calls for ‘the declaration’ of the ‘Islamic Emirate’
The Taliban called for the return of its Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as it denounced the Afghan government as a “corrupt and illegitimate regime.”