Chris Zambelis
Chris Zambelis is a Senior Analyst specializing in Middle East affairs for Helios Global, Inc., a risk management group based in the Washington, D.C. area. He is also the director of World Trends Watch, Helios Global’s geopolitical practice area. The opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the position of Helios Global, Inc.
Contact Chris Zambelis
Articles by Chris Zambelis
Institutionalized ‘Warlordism’: Syria’s National Defense Force
As Syria’s civil war enters its sixth year, the balance of the conflict has tilted toward Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Baathist regime. Bolstered by its international and regional allies, the
China and Saudi Arabia Solidify Strategic Partnership Amid Looming Risks
While the wider Middle East remains convulsed by conflict and instability, China’s influence and interests in the region continue to expand in a familiar pattern. As the world’s largest consumer
China and Iran Expand Relations After Sanctions’ End
January 16 marked the highly anticipated implementation of the nuclear accord signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) known as the
China and the Quiet Kingdom: An Assessment of China-Oman Relations
China’s foreign policy toward the wider Middle East rests on advancing numerous objectives. Foremost among these priorities is China’s need to assure domestic energy security. As the world’s largest consumer
Nuclear Agreement Overshadows Arab Unrest in Iranian Khuzestan
The accord recently struck between Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany (P5+1) represents a watershed in Middle East diplomacy. The culmination of almost two years
Chris Zambelis Quoted by U.S. News & World Report
Chris Zambelis discussed the possibility of the Islamic State using drug smuggling routes through Latin America and the Caribbean to enter the United States for U.S. News & World Report.
Iran Confronts Intensifying Insurgent Offensive in Sistan-Balochistan Province
While diplomatic developments between Iran and the United States over Iran’s nuclear program and Iran’s actions in countries such as Syria and Yemen have drawn the most attention in recent
To Topple the Throne: Islamic State Sets Its Sights on Saudi Arabia
The meteoric rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which has since styled itself the Islamic State in an affirmation of its broader aspirations of dominion over a
Vice News Interviewed Chris Zambelis
Jamestown analyst Chris Zambelis gave remarks for a story on Abu Bakr, a radical Islamist who tried to overthrow the Trinidad and Tobago government in 1990.
Assad’s Hurricane: A Profile of the Paramilitary Wing of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party
The presence of numerous auxiliary forces fighting alongside the regular Syrian military and security services against the armed opposition to Ba’athist rule is without question. Acting as ancillaries for the
The Struggle for Arabistan: Tensions and Militancy in Iran’s Khuzestan Province
Thousands of Iranians were reported to have sought medical attention in November 2013 due to complaints of shortness of breath and other maladies following a spell of acid rain that
The Day After: Iran’s Quiet Taliban Diplomacy Reflects Preparations for a Post-U.S. Afghanistan
In many respects, the ascendance of Hassan Rouhani to the Iranian presidency has raised optimism for the prospects of a limited rapprochement between the United States and Iran. This is
Royal Rivalry in the Levant: Saudi Arabia and Qatar Duel over Syria
The cycle of calamity plaguing Syria continues to intensify with no end in sight. Syria’s predicament today is far removed from the initial outburst of mass dissent witnessed in March
Jamestown’s Chris Zambelis interviewed by Ukranian Week
Jamestown's Chris Zambelis was interviewed by Ukranian Week on China-Middle East relations.
Chris Zambelis interviewed on Fair Observer
Chris Zambelis participated in a long interview on the geopolitics underlying India and China's inroads into the Middle East for Fair Observer. Zambelis was interviewed by fellow Jamestown analyst Nick
Chris Zambelis quoted in Eurasia Review
Chris Zambelis was quoted by Eurasia review in an article titled "West Contains China's East, China Moves West - Analysis."
Chris Zambelis quoted by Crescent News
Jamestown analyst Chris Zambelis was quoted by Crescent News in an article titled "Trinidad Panel Takes New Look at Islamic Uprising."
Chris Zambelis interviewed by AP regarding Trinidad and Jamaat al-Muslimeen
Chris Zambelis was interviewed by AP regarding Trinidad and Jamaat al-Muslimeen in an article entitled "Trinidad Panel Taking Fresh Look at 1990 Uprising."
Lebanese Salafist Cleric Organizes Militia Forays into Syria
With the militarization of the Syrian uprising complete, the makeup of the violent insurrection that is raging across Syria remains a topic of scrutiny. The assemblage of competing opposition forces
China’s Iraq Oil Strategy Comes Into Sharper Focus
March 19 marked the ten-year anniversary of the United States invasion of Iraq that toppled the government of Saddam Hussein. Although the international community continues to focus on the violence
Ahrar al-Sham: A Profile of Northern Syria’s al-Qaeda Surrogate
The uprising against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s rule entered its third year in March. The process of disaggregating the political and armed currents that are struggling against the Ba’athist regime,
Jamestown analyst Chris Zambelis quoted by WND
Jamestown analyst Chris Zambelis was quoted by WND in an article entitled "Egypt Inching Closer to Iran."
Egyptian Shift on Hezbollah Reflects New Geopolitical Realities in the Middle East
The course of Egyptian politics and society in the post-revolution era hangs in the balance between stability and chaos. With a democratic transition process mired in turbulence and violence, observers
Jamestown’s Chris Zambelis interviewed by Latitude News on the role of social media in the Syrian uprising
Jamestown's Chris Zambelis was interviewed by Latitude News on the role of social media in the Syrian uprising.
Jamestown’s Chris Zambelis’ article posted on Gulf 2000 News Thread
An article by Jamestown's Chris Zambelis entitled "Heeding the Call for Jihad": The Sudden Resurgence of Baloch Nationalist Militancy in Iran" was posted on the Gulf 2000 News Thread.
Jamestown’s Chris Zambelis interviewed by Cross Cultural Reporting
Jamestown's Chris Zambelis was interviewed on the use of social media in the Syrian uprising for Cross Cultural Reporting.
“Heeding the Call for Jihad”: The Sudden Resurgence of Baloch Nationalist Militancy in Iran
The Islamic Republic of Iran sits in the crosshairs of the United States, Israel, and the Gulf Arab monarchies led by Saudi Arabia. The array of geopolitical threats that face
Jamestown Analyst Chris Zambelis Cited in Gulf 2000 News Thread
An article by Chris Zambelis that appeared in Jamestown’s China Brief titled China and Qatar Forge a New Era of Relations around High Finance was posted by Gary G. Sick
China and Qatar Forge a New Era of Relations around High Finance
The impetus underlying China’s manifold interests in the Middle East remains a topic of close scrutiny. The dramatic social and political changes that are taking root in the region portend
A New Egypt Looks to China for Balance and Leverage
Occurring amid a groundswell of revolutionary activism in the Arab world, the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011 heralds a new era for Egypt. Under Mubarak’s authoritarian
Foreign Fighters Bring a Global Agenda to Syria
Great uncertainty continues to shroud the ideological composition of the insurgency that is raging across Syria. The motivations of the rank-and-file of the Free Syrian Army (FSA - the armed
Repression Begets Rebellion in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province
Against the backdrop of ongoing simmering dissent in the Arab world, growing unrest in Saudi Arabia, in contrast, has gone virtually unnoticed. In a climate of increasing political openness, popular
The Syrian Uprising: A Militant Leadership Monitor Special Report
In this “Special Report on The Syrian Uprising: A Focus on Parties and Leadership” we examine the roles of key religious, military, and political actors in the Syrian uprising. This
Proposed Saudi Arabia-Bahrain Union Reflects Intensifying Persian Gulf Rivalry
In the new Middle East, formerly suppressed political parties, movements, and ideas are increasingly shaping a political and ideological discourse that departs from previous paradigms. An equally important trend that
The Syrian Uprising: A Militant Leadership Monitor Report
In this “Special Report on The Syrian Uprising: A Focus on Parties and Leadership” we examine the roles of key religious, military, and political actors in the Syrian uprising. This
Negotiating an Endgame in Afghanistan: Qatar Hosts the Taliban
As the insurgency in Afghanistan rages on, recent events appear to confirm earlier reports pointing to a U.S. interest in taking the once inconceivable step of engaging the Taliban in
China’s Persian Gulf Diplomacy Reflects Delicate Balancing Act
The diplomatic acrobatics and brinkmanship on display over Iran’s nuclear program are escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf to new heights, raising the stakes for all of the protagonists involved—including
The Turn to Armed Rebellion in Syria: The Rise of the Free Syrian Army
Tensions in the Levant remain at a fever pitch as the uprising against the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad presses ahead into its ninth month in the face of
Unrest in Syria Shaping a New Strategic Triangle of Hezbollah, Iran and Egypt
The final outcome of the unrest that continues to shake the broader Middle East remains in the balance. The grassroots protests that ushered in the fall of despots in Tunisia,
A Swan Song in Sudan and Libya for China’s “Non-Interference” Principle
Observers of politics in the Arab world and the broader Middle East continue to scrutinize China’s place in the region. Dissecting the nuances of Chinese diplomacy and foreign policy towards
Hot Issue– The Strategic Implications of the Syrian Uprising: A View from Turkey
Executive Summary:Bashar al-Assad’s Baathist regime, once considered the Middle East region’s most secure, is showing signs of vulnerability in the wake of the Syria uprisings. Al-Assad’s violent crackdown in recent
Syrian Unrest Raises Sectarian Tensions in Lebanon
As the turmoil affecting Syria persists with no apparent end in sight, fears about the potential impact of the crisis on Syria’s neighbors remain at the fore. Among all of
Unrest in Syria Inspires New Wave of Kurdish Activism
As the momentum of opposition demonstrations targeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gains in the face of an increasingly violent crackdown by the state, questions are emerging as to the survivability
“Shaheen 1” Exercise Signals Expansion of China-Pakistan Alliance
The recent headlines have been dominated by the progressively deteriorating relationship between the United States and Pakistan. The killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Pakistani territory in May
Solidarity in Resistance: Middle East Revolutions Strengthen Hezbollah
As the surge of revolutionary fervor that has taken the greater Middle East by storm continues to spread, many observers are grappling with the political uncertainties that the tumult has
Sino-Turkish Strategic Partnership: Implications of Anatolian Eagle 2010
Since being inaugurated in 2001, Turkey’s annual hosting of its "Anatolian Eagle" aerial military exercises at Konya air base in the central Anatolian region of Konya have been central to
Back with a Vengeance: The Baloch Insurgency in Iran
When Iran’s security forces announced in February 2010 that they had successfully captured Abdelmalek Rigi, the elusive commander of Jundallah (Soldiers of God), many observers wondered aloud about the impact
Can Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Maintain its Operational Capability in a Sanctions Regime?
The lasting impact of the latest round of sanctions slapped on Iran in June by the United Nations Security Council followed by an additional and more stringent unilateral sanctions regime
Bloc Politics in the Persian Gulf: China’s Multilateral Engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council
China’s diplomatic, economic, and security interests in the Middle East continue to expand commensurate with its energy interests and growing international clout. As the world’s second-largest consumer of oil and
Trinidad’s Troubling Islamist Yasin Abu Bakr
The twin-island Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago would seem to be the last place to raise alarm bells over the threat of radical Islam. Trinidad was briefly catapulted into the
The Hizbullah Trial in Egypt: A War of Words in the New Middle East Cold War
The latest exchange of blows in the ongoing feud between Egypt and Lebanon’s Hizbullah came on April 28, as the Egyptian State Security Court convicted and sentenced 26 individuals who
Shifting Sands in the Gulf: The Iran Calculus in China-Saudi Arabia Relations
The fourth joint meeting on economy and trade convened by China and Saudi Arabia in January 2010 in the Saudi capital of Riyadh came and went without much fanfare. Yet
Political Theater or Counterterrorism? Assessing Iran’s Capture of Jundallah Leader Abdelmalek Rigi
Iranian security forces pulled off a major coup on February 23 by capturing the enigmatic militant leader Abdelmalek Rigi (Press TV [Tehran], February 23; IRNA [Tehran], February 23). The 31-year-old
A Profile of Radical Jamaican-born Cleric Sheikh Abdullah al-Faisal al-Jamaikee
Shaykh Abdullah al-Faisal al-Jamaikee (The Jamaican), the radical Jamaican-born cleric, made international headlines when he was arrested in Mombassa, Kenya on New Year’s Eve, 2009. Kenya’s Anti-Terrorism Police Unity (ATPU)
China’s Inroads into North Africa: An Assessment of Sino-Algerian Relations
The geopolitics of African countries such as Algeria, a country in North Africa that has traditionally enjoyed strong relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and whose strategic importance
Separatists, Islamists and Islamabad Struggle for Control of Pakistani Balochistan
To say that the U.S.-led invasion and occupation of Afghanistan in October 2001 shook Pakistan to its core would be an understatement. Since then, the war in Afghanistan has spilled
Is Iran Supporting the Insurgency in Afghanistan?
Violence and instability in Afghanistan continue to rage in the form of an organic insurgency shaped by local identities, networks, and interests. Operating under the nebulous rubric of the Taliban,
Xinjiang Crackdown and Changing Perceptions of China in the Islamic World?
The outbreak of ethno-sectarian unrest in China’s northwestern Xinjiang Autonomous Region (XAR) between members of the local Uighur community, an ethnic Turkic population that is predominantly Sunni Muslim, and ethnic
Jamaat al-Muslimeen: The Growth and Decline of Islamist Militancy in Trinidad and Tobago
On July 27, 2009 Trinidadians marked the nineteenth anniversary of the failed attempt by the Jamaat al-Muslimeen (JAM - Muslim Association, known colloquially as “the Jamaat)” to overthrow the government
Mystery Surrounds Alleged Hezbollah Links to Drug Arrests in Curacao
Mystery continues to surround Hezbollah’s alleged links to the seventeen suspects arrested on drug trafficking charges on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao on April 28. According to Curacaon authorities,
Hezbollah in Egypt: The Politics of Conspiracy and Resistance
The timing of Egypt’s April 8 announcement of its arrest of 24 men—allegedly linked to Hezbollah—on Egyptian soil in November and December 2008 upped the ante in the already tense
“Stopping the Idols”: Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Calls for Boycott of Algerian Elections
Al-Qaeda and radical Islamist groups that look to al-Qaeda as a source of guidance and inspiration boast an impressive record of issuing carefully calculated public statements in an effort to
Does Cairo Bombing Mark a Return to Terrorist Violence in Egypt?
A bombing in Cairo’s ancient Khan al-Khalili market has raised fears about a new round of terrorist attacks in Egypt coming amid the 2009 tourist season. The February 22 attack
China’s Palestine Policy
The geopolitics of China’s rise and its implications for the Arab world and wider Middle East is a topic for serious debate. Currently, China’s Middle East strategy revolves around shoring
Balochi Nationalists Intensify Violent Rebellion in Iran
The conflict between Iranian security forces and ethnic Baloch insurgents led by the Jondallah (Soldiers of God - an obscure militant group also known as the People’s Resistance Movement of
Rocket Attacks from Lebanon Threaten Dangerous Escalation of Gaza War
Israel’s invasion of Gaza and the ensuing humanitarian catastrophe has raised concerns about the potential for a dangerous escalation in regional hostilities. On January 8, three Katyusha rockets fired from
Going to “Plan B”: Negotiations with Taliban May Shape a New Afghanistan
Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s September announcement that he had sought the support of Saudi Arabia and other key actors to engage Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar with the intent of
The Geopolitics of Sino-Syrian Relations
Solidifying the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) burgeoning relationships with the countries of the Middle East remains a top priority for Beijing. The impetus behind China’s resurgent efforts to extend
Attacks in Yemen Reflect al-Qaeda’s Global Oil Strategy
Recent attacks by al-Qaeda’s Yemeni branch, Kataeb Jund al-Yemen (Soldiers of Yemen Brigades), against oil facilities across Yemen indicate that al-Qaeda’s larger strategy to strike oil targets remains a top
Is There a Nexus between Torture and Radicalization?
A great deal of debate surrounds the factors driving the brand of radical Islam in the Middle East that inspires some individuals to commit acts of violence. A recurring theme
PJAK Intensifies Its Struggle for Iranian Kurdistan
A recent upsurge of violence in northwestern Iran between ethnic Kurdish rebels and Iranian Pasdaran (Revolutionary Guards) forces represents the latest chapter in the ongoing tensions between the nationalist dissidents
Is Iran’s Mujahideen-e-Khalq a Threat to the Islamist Regime?
The People’s Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI), more commonly known as the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (“people’s mujahideen”; MEK), is one of the most organized and controversial Iranian opposition groups. Although it maintains an
Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack
A great deal of mystery surrounds the April 12 explosion at the Hosseynieh Seyed al-Shohada mosque in the city of Shiraz, in Iran’s southwestern Fars province. The bombing came during
Insurrection in Iranian Balochistan
Issues of dissent and rebellion amongst Iran’s elaborate patchwork of ethnic and sectarian minority communities are receiving increasing international scrutiny. Many advocacy organizations representing Iranian minorities accuse Tehran of operating
The Iranian Nuclear Question in U.S.-China Relations
On the surface, China’s recent decision to support a more stringent United Nations (UN) sanctions regime against Iran, sanctions targeting Iran’s banking and financial sector as well as the ability
The Iranian Nuclear Question in U.S.-China Relations
On the surface, China’s recent decision to support a more stringent United Nations (UN) sanctions regime against Iran, sanctions targeting Iran’s banking and financial sector as well as the ability
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood: Political Islam Without al-Qaeda
The September 11, 2001 attacks inspired an unprecedented upsurge of interest in Middle East and Islamic studies within academic, policymaking and security circles in the United States. Now, more than
Iraqi Insurgent Media Campaign Targets American Audiences
Since the September 11 attacks, the internet has emerged as a pillar of radical Islamist propaganda efforts against the United States by al-Qaeda and other groups. Extremist websites and chat
Iran’s Challenges from Within: An Overview of Ethno-Sectarian Unrest
Iran continues to face international pressure over its nuclear program and heightening tensions with the United States regarding its role in Iraq and Afghanistan. A pillar of U.S. strategy in
Spotlight on Trinidad and Tobago’s Jamaat al-Muslimeen
The recent allegations of a foiled plot to attack New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport by suspected Islamist extremists with ties to the Caribbean have raised concerns about
Public Diplomacy in Sino-Egyptian Relations
China’s pursuit of stable sources of energy and access to burgeoning consumer markets largely dictates its diplomacy in resource-rich Africa and the Middle East. An oft overlooked objective of this
Public Diplomacy in Sino-Egyptian Relations
China’s pursuit of stable sources of energy and access to burgeoning consumer markets largely dictates its diplomacy in resource-rich Africa and the Middle East. An oft overlooked objective of this
Hezbollah Reacts to Israel’s Winograd Report
Israel's recent release of the preliminary findings of the Winograd Commission, an independent government-appointed initiative led by former judge Eliyahu Winograd that was convened to investigate Israel's failures in its
Internet Mujahideen Face-Off Over Sunni-Shiite Divide
The ongoing sectarian strife in Iraq remains a subject of intense debate on Arabic-language radical Islamist online chat forums in the context of the perceived emergence of a Sunni-Shiite divide
Baloch Nationalists Up the Ante in Iran
A February 14 car bomb attack against a bus carrying Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units outside of Zahedan in Iran's southeastern province of Sistan-Balochistan is the latest example
Radical Islamists Target the UAE
The ruling Gulf monarchies are frequent targets of radical Islamist militant discourse on Arabic-language website discussion forums, with the Saudi royal family drawing the most ire. Islamist militants view the
Assassination of Sunni Cleric Inflames Sectarian Tensions in Iraq
On November 15, Sheikh Khadir al-Anbari, a Sunni imam and preacher at al-Sajjad Mosque, was assassinated in Iraq. The mosque is one of the few Sunni mosques in the predominantly
The Threat of Islamic Radicalism in Suriname
The threat of radical Islamism in Latin America and the Caribbean remains a vital concern for U.S. and regional security officials, particularly in light of allegations that al-Qaeda nuclear terrorist
New Threat on Gulf Oil Puts Security Forces on Alert
Based on what United States and regional security sources described as credible intelligence of a possible maritime terrorist attack against Saudi and Bahraini coastal and offshore oil installations, radical Islamists
Al-Hakaima Positions Himself for Key Role in the Global Salafi-Jihad
As the media spotlight continues to highlight Muhammed Khalil al-Hakaima's "Myth of Delusion," it is important to emphasize that al-Hakaima has authored other detailed works dealing with tactical and operational
EIG’s Muhammed al-Hakaima Continues to Incite Jihad
In a videotaped statement issued on August 5, al-Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri announced what he described as a merger between members of Egyptian Gama'a al-Islamiyya (EIG, Egyptian Islamic Group), under
Pope’s Statements Bolster Radical Islamist Propaganda Efforts
As the fallout from Pope Benedict XVI's recent controversial speech continues to resonate across the Arab and Muslim world through street protests, official condemnations and even sporadic incidents of violence,
Egyptian Gama’a al-Islamiyya’s Public Relations Campaign
In a recent interview conducted by the Dubai-based al-Arabiya news network, Dr. Nageh Ibrahim, senior leader and chief ideological theorist of the Egyptian Gama'a al-Islamiyya (EIG, Egyptian Islamic Group), reiterated
Pakistani Authorities Struggle to Tie Rauf to London Plot
As more details surface regarding the recent London terrorism plot to destroy U.S. bound airliners over the Atlantic Ocean, Pakistani and British security officials remain fixated on the group's alleged
Radical Trends in African-American Islam
Since the arrest of members of the Seas of David, due to allegations that they sought al-Qaeda support in facilitating a plot to attack targets in Chicago and Miami, law
Sunni Muslims Standing in Unity with Shiite Hezbollah
The latest crisis in the Middle East involving Hezbollah and Israel and ongoing sectarian violence in Iraq has focused attention on an emerging divide between Sunnis and Shiites. The positions
The Threat of Religious Radicalism in Guyana
The potential threat of radical Islamist infiltration in Latin America and the Caribbean is attracting increasing attention following the September 11 attacks. The region is already plagued by criminality. Local
Killing of Shiite Cleric Threatens New Round of Sectarian Violence in Pakistan
On July 14, Allama Hassan Turabi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in front of his home in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal section of Karachi. Turabi was a prominent Shiite Muslim cleric
Florida African-American Group Inspired by al-Qaeda Ideology
On June 23, seven members of the obscure Seas of David group were arrested by federal and local security officials in a low-income housing project in the Liberty City section
Violence and Rebellion in Iranian Balochistan
The escalating insurgency in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan and neighboring regions receives extensive media coverage. Aside from the need to root out radical Islamist opposition movements tied to al-Qaeda
Arrest of American Islamist Highlights Homegrown Terrorist Threat
On June 6, British authorities arrested Syed "Fahad" Hashmi, a 26 year-old American citizen of Pakistani descent, in London's Heathrow Airport for his suspected role in aiding an al-Qaeda plot
Crackdown Against Islamist Opposition in Morocco Intensifies
Moroccan security forces intensified operations last week against al-Adl wa al-Ihsane (Justice and Spirituality Association—JSA), the country's largest opposition group, arresting scores more of its members in the towns of
Violence in Syria Points to Growing Radical Islamist Unrest
According to reports in early June, Syrian authorities claim to have disrupted an attack by radical Syrian Islamists near Ummayad Square in Damascus, possibly targeting government buildings. A team of
Morocco Cracks Down on Islamist Opposition Group JSA
In a major operation in late May, Moroccan security forces arrested over 300 members of al-Adl wa al-Ihsane (Justice and Spirituality Association—JSA), including ranking leaders, over vague allegations that the
Islamic Radicalism in Mexico: The Threat from South of the Border
The ongoing controversy surrounding the debate over illegal immigration and border security issues in the United States, specifically as it applies to the porous U.S.-Mexico frontier and the status of
Burgeoning China-Yemen Ties Showcase Beijing’s Middle East Strategy
On the surface, Chinese President Hu Jintao's invitation to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh for his historic six-day long visit to China in April represents a natural extension of Beijing's
Killing of Turkish Judge May Inspire Further Attacks by Religious Radicals
Turkish authorities continue to search for clues to last week's deadly shooting attack by Alparslan Arslan that claimed the life of Turkish Council of State Judge Mustafa Yucel Ozbilgin and
Egypt Attacks May Indicate Emerging Sinai Bedouin Insurgency
Egypt appears to have scored a number of successes in recent weeks in its war against Islamist militants. Counter-terrorist units and police converged on an olive grove in the mountainous
U.S. Places Two Pakistani Charities on Terrorism Watch List
On April 27, Washington announced a decision to place two Pakistan-based Islamic charities operating in the United States on its terrorism watch list. The organizations implicated are the Jamaat ud-Dawa
Sinai Bombings Mark Latest in Pattern of Symbolic Attacks in Egypt
Last week's deadly explosions at a popular restaurant, café and supermarket frequented by tourists in the Egyptian city of Dahab in the Sinai Peninsula appear to fit the pattern of
Taliban Attacks Target Communication Infrastructure
Unknown assailants detonated powerful explosives at a government-run Radio Pakistan FM radio transmission tower at approximately 1:00 AM on March 20 in Wana, Pakistan. The explosions were heard miles away
New Islamist Group Claims Responsibility for India Attacks
A previously unknown radical Islamist militant group, Lashkar-e-Qahar (Army of the Conquerors), claimed responsibility for the deadly series of bomb attacks in India on March 7 that struck Varanasi's Sankat
Jamaat al-Muslimeen on Trial in Trinidad and Tobago
The ongoing legal case against Imam Yasin Abu Bakr, the founder and leader of Trinidad's and Tobago's Jamaat al-Muslimeen (Muslim Group), continues to shed light on the group's radical and
Al-Qaeda Employs Assassination Strategy in Karachi
Despite early questions, a suicide car bomb attack occurring just one block away from the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, killing a U.S. diplomat, his Pakistani driver, a Pakistani Ranger,
Radical Islam in Latin America
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the possibility of al-Qaeda infiltrating Latin America became a priority for U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials. However, the most publicized incidents
Down the River Nile: China Gains Influence in Egypt
China has undertaken an ambitious effort to enhance its energy security and access to vital natural resources to sustain its economic growth, concluding a number of economic and trade agreements
Al-Qaeda’s Inroads into the Caribbean
Security threats emanating from the Caribbean Basin typically revolve around its position as a key trans-shipment point for South American narcotics to the United States and Europe, as well as