
Latest Terrorism Monitor Articles
OUT OF THE WOODWORK: ISLAMIST MILITANTS IN ACEH
The humanitarian catastrophe caused by the December 26 tsunami has led to an outpouring of humanitarian aid and support from some unlikely quarters. While media attention has focused on how the relief efforts will affect the Indonesian armed forces (TNI) counter-insurgency campaign against the Acehnese... MORE
THE DISINTEGRATION OF MOJAHEDIN-E KHALQ IN POST-SADDAM IRAQ
As the landmark Iraqi elections loom closer, the fate of a controversial and often misunderstood Iranian opposition group hangs in the balance. The formerly armed Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) has been based in Iraq for twenty years with regime change as its exclusive cause. Not... MORE
SIPAH-E-SAHABA: FOMENTING SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN PAKISTAN
Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (Corp of the Prophet's Companions), a militant Islamist organization and the largest sectarian outfit in the country, was outlawed by President Pervez Musharraf on January 12, 2002 for its alleged involvement in terrorist related activities. More than 1,500 of its members were arrested... MORE
GULBUDDIN HEKMATYAR: THE RISE AND FALL OF AN AFGHAN WARLORD
Hezb-e-Islami Afghanistan (The Islamic Party of Afghanistan or HIA), which once ranked as the most powerful resistance party in the country, is increasingly sidelined and under pressure from various quarters, including coalition forces and the new Afghan government. Moreover, HIA is having to contend with... MORE
Radical Islam in the Netherlands
Islamists have been known to be active in the Netherlands for at least the past decade. Their activities have been reported in various documents by the Dutch authorities [1], especially the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), whose first public statements date back to 1991.... MORE
Al-Qaeda’s Unlikely Allies in Central America
Recently there have been reported sightings of al-Qaeda operatives in Honduras. According to some observers, their alleged presence in that country conforms to their desire to secure land routes to the United States, through collaboration with Central American gangs. This report, compiled with the assistance... MORE
The Roots of Extremism in Bangladesh
In many ways, Bangladesh seems an excellent place for al-Qaeda to find sanctuary in the decisive years ahead. It is an impoverished Islamic nation, politically weak and backward in its economic development. Its ports have been active hubs for transnational crime, including weapons running. [1]... MORE
Weaker but not Wiser: The Taliban Today
More than three years after their ouster, the Taliban are still a coherent organization even though they are beset by serious political, military and financial problems. However, they are used to surviving on the bare minimum and can still count on the unconditional loyalty of... MORE
ABU MUSAB AL-ZARQAWI: A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
In the span of just eighteen months, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has emerged from obscurity to eclipse Osama bin Laden as public enemy number one in the Bush administration's war on terror. Less gifted than bin Laden in nearly every way, Zarqawi rose to become the... MORE
ZARQAWI’S PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO AL-QAEDA: FROM MU’ASKER AL-BATTAR, ISSUE 21
Translation by Jamestown Researcher Jeffrey Pool Translator's Introduction: On October 17, 2004, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his Tawhid wal-Jihad organization issued an online statement pledging allegiance to al-Qaeda and its commander, Sheikh Osama bin Laden. Al-Qaeda reprinted and acknowledged the statement, responding favorably to the... MORE