Latest Terrorism Monitor Articles
Sierra Leone: An Obscure Battlefield in the War on Terrorism
On the dusty trash strewn streets of the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, men, women, and children with missing arms and legs wander aimlessly through half-completed concrete buildings. The surrounding hills are covered with hastily constructed shanties made of corrugated iron, plastic, or any other material... MORE
Australian Anti-Terror Raids: A Serious Plot Thwarted
Since September 11, 2001, Australians have been warned that an attack on Australian soil by al-Qaeda or its allies is probable, if not inevitable. In October, ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organization) released its 2004/05 annual report, which warned of the risk of “home grown” terrorists.... MORE
The Salafi-Jihadist Movement in Iraq: Recruitment Methods and Arab Volunteers
This is the second in a two-part series on al-Zarqawi and al-Qaeda in Iraq. This article focuses on the Salafi-jihadist base from which al-Zarqawi draws support and new recruits. The experience of Arab fighters in Iraq is the latest and most important development of the... MORE
Radical Islam in Latin America
In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the possibility of al-Qaeda infiltrating Latin America became a priority for U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials. However, the most publicized incidents of radical Islamist activity in Latin America have not been linked to al-Qaeda but instead... MORE
New Developments Following the London Bombings
The release of a videotape featuring July 7 bomber Mohammed Siddique Khan's message to the world, cleverly interspersed with Ayman al-Zawahiri, has led many to suspect al-Qaeda's controlling hand. Yet the most credible leads continue to point to a self-starter cell of dedicated young British... MORE
Al-Zarqawi’s Rise to Power: Analyzing Tactics and Targets
This article is the first in a two-part series on Zarqawi’s rising influence in the jihadist movement. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is attaining legendary status. Glorified by militant Salafists and jihadists the world over as an invincible warrior and vilified by Western governments as the most... MORE
Terrorism and Human Smuggling Rings in South and Central America
The road to the “American Dream” for many illegal immigrants usually leads from home countries through Mexico and then into the U.S. Although almost all of these illegal immigrants are merely looking for a better life for themselves and their families, world-wide human trafficking routes... MORE
The Algerian 2005 Amnesty: The Path to Peace?
On September 29, Algerians voted in an unprecedented referendum to approve a charter for “peace and national reconciliation,” offering amnesty to Algerian insurgents in exchange for laying down their arms. The charter also extends the same offer of clemency to police and security agents involved... MORE
The Re-Orientation of Kashmiri Extremism: A Threat to Regional and International Security
Since the onset of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the activities of foreign jihadists in Pakistan have been a major source of concern for both Washington and Islamabad. However, an equally if not more serious problem that has emerged over the last four years has been... MORE
Muslim Female Fighters: An Emerging Trend
Muslim women are increasingly joining the global jihad, some motivated by religious conviction to change the plight of Muslims under occupation, and recruited by al-Qaeda and local terrorist groups strained by increased arrests and deaths of male operatives. Attacks by female fighters, also known as... MORE