Latest Briefs
AQAP’s Heru Sisanto: an Indonesian Jihadist in Yemen
Despite the geographic distance between Indonesia and Yemen and their disparate languages and cultures, the two countries also share a unique historical bond which extends well into the present day. Many Indonesians, for example, trace their ancestry to Yemen and specifically the Hadramawt region (arabnews.com,... MORE
The Post-Prison Resurrection of Indonesian Jemaa Islamiyah Founder Abubakar Baasyir
Abubakar Baasyir is an Indonesian Islamic preacher who became best known for his founding role in Jemaa Islamiyah (JI) in 1993 with, among others, Abdullahi Sungkar. Like other jihadist ideologues and founders of that era, the JI founders were inspired by the Afghan mujahidin’s victory... MORE
Saeed Aghajani, Mehdi Molashahi, and Javad Keiha: The Masterminds Behind Iran’s Drone Program
Over the last several weeks, the United States, UK, and European Union sanctioned three military commanders and a defense company over allegedly supplying drones to Russia for use in their war against Ukraine. The sanctions consist of travel bans and asset freezes on Major-General Mohammad... MORE
Peruvian Communist Rebel Leader “Jose” Palomino on Brink of Capture in VRAEM
In August, the Peruvian armed forces launched an operation targeting the base of former Shining Path commander, Victor Quispe Palomino, whose alias is “Jose.” As the Shining Path is now centered in Valle de los Ríos Apurímac, Ene, y Mantaro (Valley of the Apurimac Rivers),... MORE
Kasturi Mahkota Emerges as Potential Broker in Thai Insurgency Peace Talks
Since November 2011, Kasturi Mahkota has been the Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO)’s leader. He rose to that position after his tenure as the PULO’s Foreign Affairs Chief and Vice President, and he attained the leadership position through a vote by the organization’s Central Committee... MORE
Belarusian Dissident Turned Commander Dies in Ukraine War
Throughout late June and into July, Belarusian Telegram channels had been reporting on pro-Ukrainian Belarusian fighters’ battles in Lysychansk (Telegram/Belwarriors, July 5). Ultimately, the town fell to Russian forces on July 4 (moscowtimes.com, July 4). For Belarusian fighters, however, the battle had extra significance because... MORE
A Post-Mortem Analysis of Vakha: The Notorious Buryat Wagner Group Mercenary Killed in Ukraine
On June 4, 44-year old Vladimir Andonov Batobolotovich, also known as “Vakha,” was reportedly killed by a sniper during a battle near Kharkiv, Ukraine, while he was fighting on behalf of Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries (javanews.al, June 7). The well-built ethnic Buryat fighter, whose exploits... MORE
Boko Haram Pledges Loyalty to Mysterious New Leader: Abu Umaimata
Since the announcement of the death of Abubakar Shekau in May 2021, Boko Haram has been on the precipice of unraveling. Whereas Shekau had attempted to expand Boko Haram influence into northwestern Nigeria before his death, since his death it has been rivals, such as... MORE
Will Anas Abdulrahman Lead Ethnic Malay Muslim Militants to Peace with Thailand?
On the eve of Ramadan, the spokesperson for the Barisan Revolutionary National (BRN) rebels, Anas Abdulrahman (also known as Hipni Mareh), announced that his militant group would halt attacks in Thailand throughout Ramadan, which lasts from April 3 to May 14 (pikiran-rakyat.com, April 2). The... MORE
Islamic State Inspires Lone Wolf Attackers in Israel
On March 27, 2022, two gunmen opened fire at a bus stop in Hadera, Israel, killing two police officers and wounding several other people. Footage of the attack showed the men firing machine guns, and evidence from the crime scene showed they were armed with... MORE