Terrorism

The use of indiscriminate violence against civilians and soft targets causes immense human suffering, sows fear within societies, damages public trust in authorities, and can produce extremist responses. Whether motivated by political, religious, economic, or social grievances, the use of terror by state-aligned and non-state actors poses an elevated threat for societies around the world as it can be perpetuated by both sophisticated international networks and single “lone-wolf” assailants. To prevent terrorism and limit its effects, governments need to adopt an array of solutions from dismantling terrorist networks to addressing the root grievances which fuel terrorist ideology.

Content

In the News

Feb 24, 2022

Wechsler and Pfaff quoted in Forbes on Iraq’s increasing involvement in militant attacks in the region

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control Conflict

Reality Check

Feb 18, 2022

Reality Check #10: China will not invade Taiwan

By Harlan Ullman

Key points Despite Beijing’s longstanding desire to invade and conquer Taiwan and achieve “one China,” China simply lacks the military capability and capacity to launch a full-scale amphibious invasion of Taiwan for the foreseeable future. With a potential defending force of 450,000 Taiwanese today, using the traditional three-to-one ratio of attackers to defenders taught at […]

Africa Conflict

In the News

Feb 10, 2022

Pavia and Pelayo in Al Arabiya: Colombia is tackling the threat of Hezbollah in South America

By Atlantic Council

Colombia Conflict

New Atlanticist

Feb 7, 2022

Death of Islamic State leader was necessary, but there’s a better way to fight terrorism

By Ben Connable

The Islamic State will probably continue to recover from its operational defeat in Syria and Iraq. It will take capacity building over generations to defeat them.

Iraq Middle East

In the News

Feb 5, 2022

Qaddour quoted in USA Today on expansion of ISIS forces in Middle East

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Extremism

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Polymeropoulos on Danger Close podcast to discuss his CIA experience

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos joins the Danger Close podcast for a discussion on his experience in the CIA.

Intelligence Terrorism

SouthAsiaSource

Feb 3, 2022

Navigating Pakistan’s Afghanistan conundrum 

By Syed Ali Zia Jaffery

While Pakistan is rightly highlighting the need for the international community to engage with the Afghan government, it must ensure that the Afghan Taliban do not ignore Pakistan’s vital security interests.

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Sales quoted in CNN on US-led Syria raid and capture of ISIS leader

By Atlantic Council

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Feb 3, 2022

Qaddour quoted in BBC News on recent capture of ISIS leader in Syria

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Feb 1, 2022

Handler in Middle East Policy: Middle East cyber security—Threats and opportunities

By Atlantic Council

Simon Handler overviews of the state of cybersecurity in the Middle East and what the implications are for the security of US interests.

Conflict Cybersecurity

Experts