FDD's Long War Journal

Hamas

Israel, Hamas square up for next Gaza duel

Iran

To expand Khamenei’s grip on the economy, Iran stretched its laws

Nigeria

Two Americans kidnapped in the Gulf of Guinea have been freed and taken ashore in Nigeria. The pair were abducted from an American-flagged oil industry vessel off the Nigerian coast in October.

Ethiopian troops will join Kenyan and Ugandan troops in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). The Somali government welcomed the move and stressed the need for collaboration between the two neighboring countries.

Turkey

Turkey asked NATO to extend the deployment of Patriot missiles along the Syrian border for another year, due to an ongoing “serious” threat. Six missile batteries, sent by Germany, the Netherlands, and the US, were installed early this year to protect against a possible attack from Syria.

US adds Boko Haram, Ansaru to list of foreign terrorist groups

Boko Haram has adopted al Qaeda’s tactics and has communicated with top al Qaeda leaders to coordinate in the global jihad. Ansaru, a Boko Haram splinter group, was also added to the terrorism list.

IDF soldier stabbed to death by Palestinian in Afula

A Palestinian from the West Bank stabbed to death an IDF soldier on a bus in the northern Israeli city of Afula. Early estimates by Israeli officials are that the Palestinian acted alone.

Denmark

The Foreign Ministry said it is investigating reports that two Danish men were killed while fighting in Syria. One carried a student identification card for 17-year-old Fatih Jahangir Khan of Vejle; the other carried a Danish passport but his name was not given. The pair reportedly died in clashes between Syrian rebels and regime forces […]

Argentina

Alberto Nisman, Argentina’s special prosecutor for the 1994 bombing that killed 85 people at a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, asked a court to invalidate a bilateral accord on the inquiry reached earlier this year by Iran and Argentina. Nisman said the accord constitutes “incorrect interference” in Argentina’s affairs, and that it could subject […]

Lebanon

Syria war leads to rise of kidnappings in Lebanon

Boko Haram

Boko Haram militants ‘Nigeria’s problem’ for now, say analysts

Syria

Private Donors’ Funds Add Wild Card to War in Syria

Syria

Islamist and al Qaeda-linked forces in Aleppo reportedly issued a declaration yesterday calling on fighters to come to the fronts to help repel an alleged offensive by regime, Hezbollah, and Iraqi Abu al-Fadl Abbas forces to retake Aleppo. The Syrian National Coalition named a provisional government for rebel-held areas, to be based in Gazientep, Turkey. […]

Afghanistan

Afghan Companies With Insurgent Ties Still Receive US Contracts

Saudi Arabia

Women among the biggest losers in Arab Spring

Russia

Two research institutions in Moscow were hit by explosions today. A bombing of a grocery store in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, killed at least one person and wounded one more last week.

Tunisia

Sidi Bouzid: a city living in fear

Norway

Norway – Kristallnacht speaker receives death threats

Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa

Terrorist Financing in West Africa

Muslim Brotherhood

Egypt’s Christians close ranks as kidnappings spike

Somalia

Ten Shabaab fighters were killed during clashes between two factions in Bulo-Mare. The United Nations approved the expansion of AMISOM forces to 22,000 troops. Government officials estimate that more than 300 people died during a cyclone that struck in Puntland.

Syria

As son heads to Syrian front, family in Germany plots kidnapping to bring him back

Egypt

The country’s intelligence chief warned that eradicating Sinai jihadist cells “could take some time.” The state of emergency, which had been in place since July, was reportedly lifted two days earlier than planned. The detention of former president Morsi was extended for another 30 days. Security forces and Muslim Brotherhood supporters clashed at Mansoura University. […]

Israel

Speaking around the one-year anniversary of Operation Pillar of Defense, Prime Minister Netanyahu said “significant deterrence has been achieved.” Netanyahu cautioned that Israel knows that Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups continue to “arm themselves in various ways.” Foreign Minister Lieberman said there is a need to calm tensions with the US over how to […]

British officials discuss ‘rising’ al Qaeda threat during testimony

Top British intelligence and security officials testified to the “rising” threat of al Qaeda last week. One official explained that there have been 34 terrorist plots in Britain since the 7/7 bombings and most of these have ties to al Qaeda groups overseas. The officials also expressed concern over al Qaeda’s growing presence inside Syria.