Latest Briefs
Aymen al-Zawahiri Confirms Death of Sahelian Jihadist Mastermind Mokhtar Belmokhtar
Mokhtar Belmokhtar became a “legend” in jihadism in the Sahel for masterminding numerous terrorist attacks, including the hostage-taking operation at In Amenas gas plant in Algeria in 2013. However, it had been unknown whether or not Belmokhtar was active since 2015. In September 2021, Aymen... MORE
Sirajuddin Haqqani: Pakistan’s ‘Sword Arm’ and ‘Strategic Asset’ in Afghanistan
Sirajuddin Haqqani, the 48-year-old leader of the Haqqani Network (HN), has gained considerably from the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul. This was underscored on September 7, when the Taliban unveiled its interim government and announced that Sirajuddin would be in charge of the powerful... MORE
A Harbinger of the Taliban’s Future Policies: Mohammad Mohaqiq
As the Taliban completed its takeover of Kabul on August 15, a group of influential Afghan political leaders boarded a plan and escaped to Pakistan. The delegation included the speaker of the lower house of the Afghan parliament, Rehman Rehmani, as well as Ahmad Zia... MORE
Back to the Herat Frontlines: The Return of Ismael Khan
On July 9, as the Taliban made rapid gains in the western Afghan province of Herat, Ismael Khan vowed to raise a civilian militia and push back the insurgent organization. In the 24 hours before Khan’s remarks, the Taliban had captured eight districts in Herat... MORE
The Warlords Return to Afghanistan: Atta Mohammad Noor
On June 21, the Afghan warlord Atta Mohammad Noor pledged to mobilize the public of his native Balkh province to fight the Taliban (TOLO News, June 22; Twitter.com/Atamohammadnoor, June 21). The announcement came as the Taliban has made dramatic territorial gains in the country, having... MORE
Iran’s Man in Nineveh: Waad Qado and the PMF’s 30th Brigade
On May 12, the U.S. Department of State released its annual report on International Religious Freedom. Though the report drew media attention for calling out abuses of religious freedom from geopolitical rivals to the United States, including Russia and China, what received less attention was... MORE
Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Assassination of Taliban Shadow Governor in Peshawar
On April 19, two members of Islamic State (IS) riding on motorcycles fired upon a vehicle traveling in the area of Haji Camp, near Peshawar, in Pakistan. The shooting resulted in the death of Maulvi Naik Muhammad Rahbar, the Taliban’s shadow governor of Nangarhar province.... MORE
Who is Taliban Negotiator Mullah Sherin Akhund?
On March 18, Russia hosted negotiations between the Taliban, the Afghan government, and representatives from the United States, China and Pakistan. The meeting was the first in a series of three international conferences intended to find a consensus for an interim Afghan government composed of... MORE
Indonesia Arrests Last Fugitive Leader of 2002 Bali Bombings
On December 10, the Indonesian National Police’s Densus 88 counterterrorism force arrested Aris Sumarsono, better known as Zulkarnaen, in Purbolinggo, in the East Lampung province of southern Sumatra. Zulkarnaen is the military commander of Jemaah Islamiyah, and has been on the run for 18 years... MORE
Hamid al-Jazaeri: Arrest Completes the Saraya al-Khorasani Commander’s Fall From Grace
On December 13, forces associated with the Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) raided the headquarters of Saraya al-Khorasani, a militia that until recently was affiliated with the PMU. Several of the group’s leaders were arrested, including its deputy secretary-general and military commander,... MORE