Latest Terrorism Monitor Articles
Brief: Russia’s Africa Corps Appears to Be Recruiting African Militants
Executive Summary: Russia is seeking to augment the ranks of its Africa Corps by recruiting militants from African separatist groups. More broadly, it appears that countries are increasingly turning to private military organizations to secure their interests in Africa. Other countries are also following Russia's... MORE
Brief: Hamas Downplays Political Bureau Head’s Meeting with the Taliban and Iran
Executive Summary: On May 23, an Afghan Taliban delegation traveled to Tehran to meet with the emir of Qatar and the head of Hamas’s Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh. In an effort to downplay bad press as it continues to seek diplomatic recognition, Hamas appears to... MORE
Mercenaries, UN Peacekeepers, and Multilateral Forces May Not Be Enough to Protect the Congo from the M23 Movement
Executive Summary: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to struggle to remove M23 rebels from its eastern provinces despite military aid and the assistance of UN troops and European mercenaries. The current UN peacekeeping mission is expected to withdraw by the end of... MORE
One Year On, Civil War Risks Reviving Jihadism in Sudan
Executive Summary: April 2024 marked the first anniversary of the Sudanese civil war, with the risk of Sudan re-emerging as a hub for jihadist terrorism in Africa on the rise. Some elements of the Sudanese Armed Forces under General al-Burhan are believed to have close... MORE
Grievances Provoke Surge in Baloch Separatist Militancy on Both Sides of Pakistan–Iran Border
Executive Summary: Recent activity by Baloch separatists since the start of 2024 in both Iran and Pakistan has drawn international attention, especially after the actions of Iranian Baloch Islamist group Jaish al-Adl led to a brief, surprising exchange of missile and air strikes between the... MORE
‘Shadow Guards’ and Reformists: Factional Matrix Underlying Iranian Succession
Executive Summary: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash on May 19, renewing discussions over who will eventually succeed 85-year-old Supreme Leader Khamenei. While ostensibly benefitting Khameni’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, Raisi’s “hard landing” opens the door for Reformists and disaffected elements of the... MORE
Brief: U.S.–Malaysia Disagreements Over Hamas Unlikely to Drive Change in Relationship
Executive Summary: Malaysia has maintained an ambiguously warm relationship toward Hamas, even following the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is known to be a vocal defender of the group, and the country is home to Aman Palestin, a charity that... MORE
Brief: Three Years After Death of Shekau, Boko Haram Appears to Gain on ISWAP Under Leadership of Bakura
Executive Summary: The faction of Boko Haram once led by Abubakar Shekau is under the leadership of a commander named Bakura Doro, who has managed to win territory from rival jihadist group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), which is generally understood to be... MORE
TTP’s Killing of Chinese Citizens in Pakistan Presents Afghan Taliban with Dangerous Dilemma
Executive Summary: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or “Pakistani Taliban,” likely are responsible for a suicide attack that killed five Chinese engineers in Pakistan’s north on March 26. China may use the incident to push Afghanistan to disavow the TTP, but such a maneuver would force... MORE
Iran-Based Baloch Separatist Group Jaish al-Adl Appears to Adopt Complex Attack Strategies from Baloch Liberation Army in Pakistan
Executive Summary: An attack by the Iran-based Sunni Baloch separatist militant group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) on the port city of Chabahar on April 3 displayed an uncharacteristic level of sophistication from the group. These mirror innovations previously seen in attacks conducted in Pakistan... MORE