Michael W. S. Ryan
Dr. Michael W. S. Ryan is an independent consultant and researcher on Middle Eastern security issues and a Senior Fellow at the Jamestown Foundation. He is the author of Decoding Al-Qaeda’s Strategy: The Deep Battle Against America (Columbia University Press, 2013).
Ryan has served as the Vice President of the Middle East Institute as well as Vice President at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (2007-2008), and as a political-military and foreign assistance specialist for the Departments of Defense and State with an emphasis on Middle East and North Africa (1979-1997). He is a former Fulbright Fellow at the American Research Center in Egypt. Ryan received his BA from St. John’s College and a PhD from Harvard University.
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Articles by Michael W. S. Ryan
Hot Issue – Al-Qaeda’s Long Game in the Sinai
Executive Summary Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri’s long-game strategy has created international networks with the ultimate intention of creating a united Islamic Emirate to take the place of the lost Ottoman
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W.S. Ryan Interviewed by C-SPAN on the Death of al-Baghdadi and the Future of ISIS
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W.S. Ryan was interviewed on November 2nd on the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and what that means for the future of the terrorist
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W.S. Ryan Quoted by The Cipher Brief on the Future of Islamic State
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W.S. Ryan was recently quoted in an article published on May 17 by The Cipher Brief on the future of Islamic State. In the article titled
ISIS and al-Qaeda: Tactical Twins, Strategic Enemies
How can “Daesh” and al-Qaeda be both tactical twins and strategic enemies? [1] Their tactics are very similar. Even their strategies have the same roots in classical guerrilla doctrine. In
Senior Fellow Michael Ryan’s Case Study Published by Naval War College
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan recently had his case study on ISIS: The Terrorist Group That Would Be a State published by the Naval War College's Center on Irregular Warfare
Hot Issue: How DAESH’s Lone Wolf Guidance Increases the Group’s Threat to the United States
Executive Summary On October 18, 2015, a DAESH promoter posted a 63-page English-language manual entitled Safety and Security Guidelines for Lone Wolf Mujahideen on Twitter. [1] Reportedly, three former members
Michael Ryan Quoted by AP
Michael Ryan discussed the former Iraqi Baathist leaders who are now high-ranking commanders of the Islamic State with the AP.
Senior Fellow Michael Ryan Quoted by Jornal i
Michael Ryan discussed the efforts of Middle Eastern countries in the fight against the Islamic State with Portuguese Jornal i.
Michael Ryan Quoted by The Daily Caller
The Daily Caller discussed the existence of a global jihadist movement with Senior Fellow Michael Ryan.
Al-Arabiya Quotes Senior Fellow Michael Ryan
Michael Ryan commented on the Islamic State's defeat at Kobane with al-Arabiya.
Washington Post Cites Michael Ryan
Michael Ryan's Hot Issue on Dabiq, the Islamic State's magazine, was cited in a Washington Post article on Sajida Rishawi.
Michael Ryan Appeared on Rudaw TV
Senior Fellow Michael Ryan appeared on "Inside America" on Rudaw TV to discuss why some Muslims living in the West radicalize.
Vocativ Quotes Senior Fellow Michael Ryan
Michael Ryan discussed why it took so long for al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to claim responsibility for the Charlie Hebdo attack.
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan Interviewed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation
On September 16, Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W. S. Ryan was interviewed by Australian Broadcasting Corporation about the Islamic State.
Australian Public Radio Interviewed Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan
Australian Public Radio interviewed Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W. S. Ryan about ISIS media strategies.
Christian Post Quotes Michael Ryan
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan was quoted by the Christian Post in an article comparing the violence of Islamic State to al-Qaeda.
Senior Fellow Michael Ryan Op-Ed Published by The National Interest
Michael Ryan and Ross Harrison wrote a follow-up article on how to stop the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria for The National Interest.
Michael Ryan Interviewed on Australian Public Radio
Michael Ryan discussed Dabiq, the Islamic State's magazine, on Media Report, a show on Australian National Radio and carried by ABC Radio.
Hot Issue: Dabiq: What Islamic State’s New Magazine Tells Us about Their Strategic Direction, Recruitment Patterns and Guerrilla Doctrine
Executive Summary On the first day of Ramadan (June 28), the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) declared itself the new Islamic State and the new Caliphate (Khilafah). For
From Theory to Action: The Rationale behind the Re-establishment of the Caliphate
According to most public analysis, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), or its latest iteration as the Islamic State (IS), is a serious regional threat but not yet
Michael Ryan Published at The National Interest
Michael Ryan, a Jamestown Senior Fellow, and Ross Harrison published an article in The National Interest on the paradox of ISIS' power.
Michael Ryan interviewed by Voice of America
Jamestown's Michael W.S. Ryan was interviewed by Voice of America's "On The Line" video broadcast concerning recent strains in the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the U.S.
Jamestown’s Michael W.S. Ryan Releases New Book
Decoding Al Qaeda's Strategy: The Deep Battle Against America Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W.S. Ryan's new book, Decoding Al-Qaeda's Strategy: The Deep Battle Against America, is now available for purchase. By
Hot Issue: The Jihadist Legacy of Vietnam’s General Vo Nguyen Giap
General Vo Nguyen Giap, the diminutive military giant and author of the military defeats of both the French and the United States in Vietnam, died on October 4 at the
Michael W.S. Ryan discusses the situation in Syria on Fox 5
Jamestown's Michael W.S. Ryan discusses the situation in Syria on Fox 5.
Jamestown’s Michael Ryan interviewed by Fox News
Jamestown's Michael Ryan was interviewed by Fox News on the challenge of destroying Syria's weapons.
Michael W. S. Ryan interviewed on Fox News
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W. S. Ryan was interviewed on Fox News about the situation in Syria.
After the Crackdown in Cairo: Understanding Why The Egyptian Army Deposed Muhammad Mursi
Egyptian Interior Ministry police executed on August 14 the long anticipated break-up of the two pro-Mursi “sit-in” protest camps in Cairo, which have been a daily presence since the former
Michael W.S. Ryan speaks on Voice of America
Jamestown's Michael Ryan discussed the situation in Egypt with Voice of America.
Three Leaders to Watch in Post-Mursi Egypt
All Egyptians acknowledge that the military is the strongest institution in Egypt. An examination of some of Egypt's top generals, however, shows that their strength comes not only from their
Hot Issue: The Boston Marathon Bombing: Radicalization Process and the Tsarnaev Brothers
To gain a perspective on so-called “home grown” jihadist terrorism, two models are especially enlightening. The first is the report by the New York City Police Department (NYPD): “Radicalization In
Hot Issue: The Arrest of Osama bin Laden’s Son-in-law
On Thursday, March 7, federal officials broke the news that Sulayman Jasim Abu Ghaith, Osama Bin Laden's son-in-law had been apprehended in Jordan and was slated to stand trial in
Michael W. S. Ryan interviewed by The Voice of Russia
Senior analyst Michael W. S. Ryan was interviewed by The Voice of Russia about captured al-Qaeda spokesman Abu Ghaith.
Election Issue: Militants in Libyan Politics: A Militant Leadership Monitor Special Report
In the aftermath of the revolution and the overthrow of Moammar Gaddafi, Libya is undergoing tremendous changes. On July 7, the oil-rich North African country held its first national election
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan Speaks on Voice of Russia
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan discusses Benghazi consulate investigation with Voice of Russia.
Hot Issue – Could Benghazi Embassy Deaths Be a Harbinger of Al-Qaeda’s “Fourth Generation Warfare”?
This year, the anniversary of the al-Qaeda 9/11 attacks on the United States was marred by a series of demonstrations against American diplomatic missions, beginning in Egypt and quickly spreading
Elections Issue: Militants in Libyan Politics: A Militant Leadership Monitor Special Report
In this Special Report on the Libya Elections we examine the entrance of militant leaders into the political scene as the country recovers from several decades of Gaddafi's rule. This
Elections Issue: Militants in Libyan Politics: A Militant Leadership Monitor Special Report
By: Dario Cristiani, Michael W. S. Ryan, Camille Tawil, Jacob Zenn In this Special Report on the Libya Elections we examine the entrance of militant leaders into the political scene as the country recovers
The Reemergence of AQAP Operative Mish‘al Muhammad al-Shadawkhi
A telephone conversation between the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Ali Hamdan, and an al-Qaeda operative last April gave a rare glimpse into the shadow war between al-Qaeda in the Arabian
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan was interviewed by Voice of Russia.
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan was interviewed on air by the Voice of Russia, U.S. Edition. The interviewer was Rob Sachs and the subject was the recent threat against the
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael Ryan Is Interviewed by VOA News
Voice of America's English to Asia Broadcast interviewed Dr. Ryan on June 11 on the implications of the change in leadership by the Syrian National Council.
Hot Issue — The Death of Abu Yahya al-Libi and Its Impact on AQ Strategy, Priorities and Goals
Executive Summary Abu Yahya al-Libi, purported to be killed in a drone strike, proves a heavy loss to al-Qaeda leadership. A charismatic leader and Ayman al-Zawahiri’s number two, al-Libi was
Who is Sayf al-Adel?
Recent reporting that Egyptian authorities have arrested one of al-Qaeda’s iconic figures, Sayf al-Adel, at the Cairo International Airport resurrects a number of tantalizing questions that can be answered only
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W.S. Ryan Interviewed by Reuters
Senior Fellow for The Jamestown Foundation, Michael W.S. Ryan was interviewed by Reuters on the subject of Anwar Al-Awlaki's death.
Jamestown Senior Fellow Michael W.S. Ryan Interviewed by USA Today
Senior Fellow for The Jamestown Foundation, Michael W. S. Ryan was interviewed by USA Today on the subject of Anwar al-Awlaki's death by US-led operations in Yemen.
After Bin Laden: Al-Qaeda Strategy in Yemen
Information seized by American forces in Bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad has sparked questions about Bin Laden’s involvement in the planning and current strategy behind al-Qaeda operations in places like
The Implications of Bin Laden’s Death for America
The United States has made good on its promise to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice through brilliant intelligence work capped by a precise military operation. Only al-Qaeda or its
Jamestown Senior Research Associate Michael W. S. Ryan Interviewed on FoxNews
Jamestown Senior Research Associate Michael W. S. Ryan interviewed on FoxNews by KT McFarland in a segment entitled "Saudi Arabia's Position In The Middle East Unrest" on March 30, 2011.
What Do the Uprisings in The Middle East Mean for al-Qaeda?
There are currently two arguments about what the recent uprisings across the Middle East mean for al-Qaeda. The optimists argue that non-violent revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt have stripped al-Qaeda’s
Jamestown Senior Research Associate Michael W. S. Ryan cited in the Arab News
Jamestown Senior Research Associate Michael W. S. Ryan cited in the article "RFJ program helps capture terrorists … and save lives" by Tim Kennedy, published in the Arab News on
Senior Research Associate Michael W.S. Ryan Interviewed by Voice of America
On February 14, Jamestown's Senior Research Associate Michael W.S. Ryan was interviewed by Voice of America's Anis Ahmed about the regional implications of the Egyptian revolution.
Jamestown Senior Research Associate Michael W.S. Ryan Interviewed on Ave Maria Radio
The Jamestown Foundation's Senior Research Associate, Michael W.S. Ryan, was interviewed on the Ave Maria Radio program Kresta in the Afternoon by host Al Kresta. The interview, which aired on
Senior Research Associate Michael W.S. Ryan Interviewed by Al-Arabiya
Senior Research Associate Michael W.S. Ryan was interviewed for an Al-Arabiya report about American views on the Muslim Brotherhood, which aired on February 10.
Special Commentary: The Muslim Brotherhood and Transition in Egypt
On January 25, 2011, the Egyptian people took to the streets in sustained protest against the 30-year rule of Hosni Mubarak. One week later, President Obama declared that the orderly
The Salafist Challenge to al-Qaeda’s Jihad
When commentators analyze Salafism, it is crucial to distinguish between mainstream Salafism and the kind of revolutionary Salafism promoted by al-Qaeda. To do otherwise is to lump together peaceful communities
Al-Qaeda on Pakistan: Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri’s Morning and the Lamp
Over the past year, Pakistan has suffered from widespread extremist violence supported by a concerted al-Qaeda political attack on the government’s main institutions. The most extraordinary escalation of this attack
Al-Qaeda’s Purpose in Yemen Described in Works of Jihad Strategists
It appears that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is currently following a new version of a classic al-Qaeda strategy. Developed by al-Qaeda’s strategic thinkers, the strategy behind AQAP’s latest