Extremism

The origins and evolution of ISIS in Libya

By Jason Pack, Rhiannon Smith, and Karim Mezran

For the past three decades, Libya has been a rich recruiting ground for the global jihad. Investigating the precursors and then subsequent evolution of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) and other extremist actors throughout this period presents actionable insights into how jihadist actors coalesce; how they interfere in post-conflict state building; the […]

Biberman in Military Review: Bridging the Gap between Policing and Counterinsurgency in Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

More rapidly remaking the military

By James Hasik

Rapid capabilities offices, incremental investments, and a wave of public entrepreneurship may signal some needed cultural change. Egypt is getting more MRAPs. As Defense Industry Daily reported Wednesday, the US Defense Department is sending a second batch of surplus armored vehicles—to match the 762 already sent—“to equip Egyptian soldiers tackling Islamist militants in the Sinai […]

Charai in The Hill: Across Arab World, Jihadist Rhetoric Not Far From Mainstream

By Atlantic Council

Biberman in Political Violence at a Glance: Peace by Assassination?

By Atlantic Council

The Kremlin’s actions in Syria: Origins, timing, and prospects

By Frederic C. Hof, Vladislav Inozemtsev, Adam Garfinkle, Dennis Ross

Resolution to the conflict in Syria requires an understanding of the Russian intervention, involvement, and interest therein. Putin’s interest in regaining the “influence that the Soviet Union once enjoyed in the Middle East” shapes how the West must engage Russia, as Ambassador John E. Herbst highlights in The Kremlin’s Actions in Syria, a new report […]

What’s left of Europe if the far right has its way?

By Alina Polyakova and Anton Shekhovtsov

Far-right parties are on the rise in Europe, particularly in the post-soviet space. The 2008 financial crisis provided these parties with an electoral boost, and the refugee crisis threatening the continent has inflamed nationalist and xenophobic populism. In this new issue brief, “What’s Left of Europe if the Far Right Has Its Way?”, Dr. Alina […]

Biberman in Terrorism and Political Violence: Why terrorists target children: Outbidding, desperation, and extremism in the Peshawar and Beslan school massacres

By Atlantic Council