Video On Demand
Counterspace Trends: An Evolving Global Landscape
April 17, 2024 • 9:00 – 10:00 am EDT
Jihadism’s hidden culture.
Citing expert Thomas Hegghammer, Andrew Anthony explains how jihadists “do a lot of things seemingly at odds with their brutal image,” such as reciting poetry, weeping, focusing on their external appearance, and perfecting their manners. Hegghammer also explains how notorious jihadis such as Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar derived large amounts of their strategy from guidance in dreams, a commonality amongst jihadis. (TNT Comment: Hegghammer’s article also delves into the issue of jihadi religiosity. Hegghammer asserts that it is misguided to engage in debate about how knowledgeable jihadis are about religion because, as he contends, “you have to distinguish between depth of knowledge and intensity of belief.”)The United States’ fight against ISIS-K.
The Washington Post’s Max Bearak explains how the Islamic State’s Afghan affiliate is “replenishing its stock of fighters almost as quickly as it loses them,” even amidst intense aerial bombardment from the U.S. He also notes that the conflict has spread Islamic State fighters across a large swath of territory in Afghanistan’s east, which threatens to ensure “a longer, more dispersed mission.” (TNT Comment: In addition to the Islamic State, the Taliban’s influence continues to grow in Afghanistan, highlighted by a VBIED attack that killed 29 in Kabul today and the group’s recent seizure of Taywara and Lawlash districts. The Trump administration’s strategy on Afghanistan is set to launch sometime this month, with rumors that he may be considering an increased role for private contractors.)The Islamic State’s potential shift to the Maghreb.
A report by the International Crisis Group details how the Maghreb may become another significant area of operation for the Islamic State because of the region’s significant number of foreign fighters, demand for anti-establishment discourse, disarrayed security apparatuses, and pre-existing jihadi networks. To combat this threat, the report asserts that Maghrebi countries must increase cooperation amongst themselves on counterterrorism measures, push elites to address local grievances that contribute to radicalization, and avoid overly regulating religious discourse. (TNT Comment: An increased jihadist presence in northern Africa increases the threat to the EU’s porous southern border. The ongoing refugee crisis in Europe will worsen if instability increases in the North African countries from where many have already fled.)Conflict among Syrian forces may draw U.S. into proxy fight (LA Times)
The Trump administration should not give up on removing Assad in Syria (WaPo)
Confused by all those groups fighting in Syria? We break it down with arm patches (LA Times)
The Trump team is repeating Obama’s mistakes in Syria (WaPo)
Trump’s Syria Muddle (WSJ)