Generation Jihad Ep. 168 — The U.S.-Israel impasse
Bill and Joe discuss the current low lows of U.S.-Israel relations as Israel prepares to proceed with finishing its stated goal of defeating Hamas without the blessing of its closest ally.
Category Archives: Long War Journal
Generation Jihad Ep. 167 — Rafah red lines
Israel’s operation in Rafah officially underway and met with the threat of pausing military aid from the Biden administration. Bill and Behnam discuss the potential consequences and ripple effects.
Iraqi militia threatens Israel with retaliation over strike in Syria
Iranian-backed Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba’ issued a statement warning that it would respond against Israel for attacking a site in Damascus belonging to the militia.
Syrian fighters belonging to Islamic Jihad killed in southern Lebanon
Evidence of foreign fighters operating in southern Lebanon continues to mount as the Israeli military recently killed three Syrian members of Islamic Jihad.
Generation Jihad Ep. 165 — Israel’s boiling point (BONUS: Joe goes to a “protest”)
Bill and Joe catch up on top Israel headlines, including this weekend’s attack by Hamas that killed four IDF soldiers and in which the Iron Dome was curiously not activated to intercept the rocket fire; the issues of humanitarian aid, pier, and port; the anticipated Rafah operation; the concept of a permanent ceasefire; the cycle of civilians being kidnapped and held hostage by armed Palestinian groups; reports of the U.S. withholding a shipment of military aid to Israel; an update on the eerily quiet West Bank; and Joe’s visit to his local “pro-Palestine protest.”
Architect of Doha agreement wrongly claims: ‘Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent has been dismantled’
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former Special Repressive for Afghanistan Reconciliation and the key architect of the Doha Agreement, continues to maintain that the Taliban “dismantled” Al Qaeda, despite evidence to the contrary from the UN and CENTCOM.
Houthis attack four ships and threaten to expand operations against U.S. forces
Escalating attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi on ships highlights the challenges in deterring their aggression and the need to safeguard maritime security in the Red Sea.
Bahraini militia claims drone attack on Israel
Saraya al-Ashtar, an Iranian proxy in Bahrain, claims it has now joined the fighting against Israel. This claim is unconfirmed.
Generation Jihad Ep. 164 — Hezbollah Hold ‘Em
Bill is joined again by his FDD colleague and show regular David Daoud to unpack issues raised in David’s latest piece for The Wall Street Journal, “Hezbollah Stumbles Into a War of Attrition.” They also catch up on adjacent matters concerning Israel’s ground war in Gaza and the dumpster fire engulfing American “institutions of higher education.”
Gaza-based terrorist group threatens British forces if they begin to deliver aid from offshore pier
The Popular Resistance Committees, published a statement threatening to attack British troops and other forces, if they delivered aid to Gaza.
Islamic State expands da’wah activities in Mozambique
The Islamic State’s Mozambique Province continues to document its da’wah campaigns across large portions of Cabo Delgado Province.
U.S. Rushes Aid to Ukraine as Russia Presses Near Avdiivka, Chasiv Yar
Long-delayed U.S. aid is finally on its way to Ukraine as Russia presses forward near Avdiivka and Chasiv Yar. A look inside those battles.
Pressure mounting on U.S. with troops under attack in Syria and Iraq, plus blasts on PMF base
Violent explosions hit the Kalsu base in Iraq, amid speculation of Israeli involvement; no party has claimed responsibility. Recent attacks on US soldiers in Syria and Iraq, after a hiatus, may signal a resurgence of violence against US presence, as Iraqi factions debate approaches towards US withdrawal.
Generation Jihad Ep. 161 — A Jihad for Knowledge
Another co-host takeover (“Freaky Friday edition”): Behnam is joined by his friend, former FDD colleague, and top expert on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Ali Alfoneh, now with The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. They discuss this week’s historic conflagration between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel.
Israel prepares for potential escalation at its northern border amid Iran tensions
An IDF military division conducted a training exercise to prepare for a potential conflict in the north. The 91st division, which is responsible for the northern border of Israel, led the drill that ended on April 15 with the division commander then meeting with the heads of local communities. On April 19, reports said Israel carried out an airstrike near Isfahan inside Iran.
Israel contends with rocket fire, pushes more aid to Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces carried out strikes on 25 targets in Gaza over the course of April 18 and 19. In addition, the IDF launched more operations to secure a corridor of control across Gaza south of Gaza City. The IDF said it had eliminated more than 1,000 terrorists in recent raids. Humanitarian aid transfers by trucks are increasing in southern and northern Gaza.
Iran and its network of militias threaten to destabilize Jordan
Iran-backed militias and proxies are threatening Jordan’s security.
The Islamic Republic’s internal messaging chaos: Unraveling Iran’s fear of public backlash amid escalations with Israel
The Islamic Republic’s disorganized messaging on Israel tensions reflects its fear of public backlash, revealing internal coordination gaps and anxiety over criticism
Generation Jihad Ep. 160 — Slaughtering sacred cows
In a special co-host takeover, Behnam and Joe discuss the Islamic Republic’s unprecedented attack on Israel this weekend.
Generation Jihad Ep. 159 — Six months of war in Gaza and Hamas still ≠ ISIS
Bill is joined by LWJ’s Seth Frantzman just after the six-month mark of Israel’s defensive war in Gaza resulting from the October 7 attack by Hamas. They discuss Seth’s latest visit to border communities in Israel and whether there’s a realistic timeline for still-evacuated citizens to return, disturbing reports that Hamas has apparently lost track of which hostages are dead or alive, and Tehran’s possible response to Israel’s April 1 assassination of an IRGC-QF commander in Damascus as we enter day ~seven of bracing for an imminent Iranian attack against Israel within 24-48 hours.
Ukrainian Parliament Passes Mobilization Bill But Punts on Demobilization
Ukraine’s parliament finally passed a bill aimed at redressing its manpower shortage. But Kyiv’s lack of urgency has given Russia an opportunity to make gains.
Analysis: Hezbollah’s expected Response to IRGC-QF Gen. Mohammad Zahedi’s killing
Israel killed a senior IRGC officer in Syria. Iran, and possibly Hezbollah will avenge him – but without undermining their broader objective of rescuing Hamas and its partners in Gaza.
Analysis: The consequences of US weakness in Iraq and Syria
Tehran is threatening new attacks in the Middle East after the April 1 Israeli airstrike in Damascus that killed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander responsible for smuggling weapons to Lebanon. Analysis of Iranian-backed attacks and U.S. responses in recent months makes clear that a U.S. failure to hit back hard will simply invite more Iranian attacks and risk more American casualties.
Generation Jihad Ep. 158 — Gaza: Who’s handcuffing whom?
Bill and Joe read between the lines and try to make sense of the IDF’s withdrawal from Khan Younis.
Generation Jihad Ep. 157 — A Quds Day special
Bill, Behnam, and Joe discuss the Israeli airstrike in Damascus that took out a senior IRGC-QF commander, Israel on high-alert after Iran vows revenge, Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s statement about the slain leader, whether the Biden administration has finally turned on Israel, and today’s holiday: Quds Day.
Analysis: Islamic State’s current da’wah campaign across Africa
In Mali and Mozambique, the Islamic State’s men are putting guns away and engaging with locals to help sensitize communities to its ideology and garner public support. In doing so, this highlights the extent of its control and/or influence.
Iran’s grasp is loosening on its eastern borders
Recent attacks by Jaish al-Adl and ISKP showcase Iran’s loosening grasp over its eastern borders. This trend also underscores the growing grievances of Iran’s ethnic minorities, exasperated by systemic neglect, mismanagement, and kleptocracy.
Generation Jihad Ep. 156 — Is global jihad having a ‘comeback’? “They never left, bro.”
Bill and co-host Caleb catch up on the latest goings on related to the global jihad, including why the Islamic State’s Moscow attack should surprise no one; Shabaab’s rampage in Somalia and the prospect for the state’s survival; rumors that Saif al-Adel’s son has died; and fireworks on the Af-Pak border when the Pakistanis launched airstrikes apparently targeting members of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban.
Hezbollah Brigades threatens to train 12,000 Jordanians to battle Israel
Hezbollah Brigades commander Abu Al-Askari threatens to arm Jordanians with the goal of attacking Israel.
Israeli strike eliminates senior IRGC Qods Force officers in Damascus
Iran acknowledged the deaths of senior IRGC officers in a significant airstrike against its forces in the Syrian capital.