The photo offers a rare look into jihadist governance in the Sahel, in which jihadists loyal to both al Qaeda and the Islamic State wield both direct and indirect control over many rural areas.
With the fall of Dawlat Shah, the Taliban now control one of Laghman’s five districts, and contest the other four. The Taliban is laying the groundwork for a potential siege of Kabul, which likely would take place if the Taliban could first secure the south and east.
According to the DIA, the Taliban has “maintained close ties with al Qaeda” and is “very likely preparing for large-scale offensives against population centers and Afghan government installations.” The DIA’s assessment directly contradicts claims made by Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation.
FDD’s Long War Journal has assessed that 17 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces are under direct Taliban threat.
Hosts Tom and Bill discuss recent statements by al Qaeda concerning the conflict between Hamas and Israel. Al Qaeda has commented on Palestinian issues often, but otherwise has had little to do with the situation. Bill also discusses his updated map of the war in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has steadily made gains. Powered by […]
The IDF in conjunction with Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet, have launched a targeted killing campaign in the current conflict with Palestinian factions in Gaza.
The number of Afghan districts controlled and contested by the Taliban has nearly doubled since early 2018. With the withdrawal of U.S. airpower and special operations forces, the Taliban is poised to take over large regions of the country.
The security situation in Wardak province and neighboring Logar is dire. A potential battle for control of Kabul will likely begin in Wardak and Logar.
In a statement released on May 9, Taliban emir Hibatullah (Haibatullah) Akhunzada boasts that security under his Islamic Emirate is exceptional. He again offers amnesty to the enemies of his group. He demands that the U.S. free the remaining Taliban prisoners and remove the group’s leaders from sanctions and rewards lists.
Shabaab has controlled the central Somali town of Bacaadweyne for over a month thanks to a forced political deal with the local clan.
The move presages a coming Taliban offensive, which the goal is to reestablish its Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan by force.
The IDF’s downing of two Hezbollah drones suggests it continues its attempts to probe Israeli airspace to gather information on activity in Israel.
The so-called ‘Islamic Resistance in Iraq,’ a grouping of newly created militias and front groups of Iran, celebrated one year of operations against U.S.-led forces.
Official statements about a military confrontation between Israel and Syria casts doubt leading to a more probable explanation into what occurred Thursday morning.
In a newly released message, Sirajuddin Haqqani discusses the importance of the Taliban’s judges in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Haqqani is preparing his men to rule over more territory in Afghanistan.
The TTP claimed yesterday’s suicide bombing in Quetta, Pakistan, saying the “martyrdom-seeking” operation targeted Pakistani officials.
Hosts Bill Roggio and Tom Joscelyn discuss President Biden’s to withdraw U.S. military forces from Afghanistan. It’s understandable that he doesn’t want any more Americans to die there, but the Afghans continue to fight a global jihadist threat. Powered by RedCircle Take a look around the globe today and you’ll see jihadists fighting everywhere from […]
The Taliban demanded that all U.S. forces leave by May 1. It has threatened to resume attacks on U.S. forces if they do not leave by the date agreed upon in the Doha Accords.
A tit for tat exchange of retaliatory attacks has taken place between Israel and Iran over recent weeks which has the potential to push both powers towards a wider conflict.
FDD’s Jonathan Schanzer joins the podcast to discuss how the U.S. Treasury Department designates terrorists and America’s current challenges. Jon and host Bill Roggio also discuss their love of Philly sports teams to the disgust of host Tom Joscleyn. Powered by RedCircle Take a look around the globe today and you’ll see jihadists fighting everywhere […]
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.
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 continues its ‘war between the wars’ campaign as it attempts to thwart Iran’s proxy network in Syria and abroad.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
The Taliban continues to promote its training camps that pump out jihadist fighters who indiscriminately attack Afghan civilians, soldiers and police.
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.
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.
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.