Latest Terrorism Focus Articles
Islamists Criticize Muslims who Abstain from Jihad
On February 17, the al-Tajdeed forum posted an interesting analysis that, amid the customary claims of imminent victory, points the finger of accusation at al-qa'idun 'an al-jihad ("those who abstain from jihad"). Starting from the premise that the strategic initiative is turning in favor of... MORE
How the Cartoon Controversy May Spur Terrorism in Southeast Asia
While the protests over the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed have spread to Southeast Asia, they have been smaller and less lethal than in other parts of the world. Yet, especially in Indonesia, a number of small hard-line groups and militant organizations have been at... MORE
…and Set Course of Action Against Denmark
The following day, the mujahid strategy emerged in even more detail. Under the title "What now after the Denmark events?—A Plan of Action," an individual named Abu Maria al-Qurashi set out nine specific action points: • Intensify the boycott by appealing to the idea of... MORE
History Overtakes Optimism in Afghanistan
Every rule has an exception and Afghanistan seems to be the rock-solid exception to the rule that history never repeats itself. The increasingly emboldened insurgency now confronted by the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan is eerily similar to the insurgencies previously initiated, fought, and lost by... MORE
Mujahideen Consider Cartoon Crisis a Moment to Re-Define Islam…
The Danish debacle continues to generate a deluge of material on the jihadi forums. While most of these (when not a matter of personal expressions of outrage and calls for revenge) relate to the growing boycott campaign of Danish goods, at least one "official" statement... MORE
Jordanian Poll Indicates Erosion of Public Support for al-Qaeda
The ramifications of the November 9, 2005 Amman suicide bombings indicate that the terrorist act played a major role in changing people's attitudes toward terrorism. An opinion poll conducted by the Center for Strategic Studies at Jordan University, a semi-government center, about the Jordanian public's... MORE
The Egyptian Media’s Response to the Latest al-Qaeda Statements
Egypt’s prominent newspapers and magazines had a somewhat tepid response to recent statements made by al-Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. Media commentary did not support statements made by bin Laden and al-Zawahiri, but was critical of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. Al-Qaeda’s statements were... MORE
Anbar Tribesmen Take on al-Zarqawi
A report by al-Hayat on January 26 that “Tribal Popular Committees” have been formed in Ramadi (capital of Anbar province) to hunt down Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his followers, “for the purpose of expelling them from the Iraqi border to Syria,” does not come as... MORE
Internet Mujahideen Refine Electronic Warfare Tactics
The recently declassified document called “Information Operations Roadmap,” which highlights how the U.S. military is learning to “fight the net,” has drawn much interest from Western commentators. There is concern over the ambitions to exercise control over the internet expressed in the document. The October... MORE
Jihadi Doctrine on Killing Americans
On January 30, al-Qaeda's second-in-command, Egyptian national Ayman al-Zawahiri, reiterated Osama bin Laden's threat to carry out an attack in the United States. Given the controversy that bin Laden's threat stirred on the jihadi forums, it is worth taking a brief look at the ideological... MORE