Terrorism News
Latin American Program in the News: FARC defense of kidnappings agitates negotiations
Feb 01, 2013
Enrique Santos, at a forum at the Wilson Center, explained that the lack of movement on the first point of the peace process agenda, agrarian reform, could dampen the enthusiasm of the Colombian and international communities. (In Spanish)
Al Qaeda on the Rise in North Africa?
Jan 30, 2013
Al Qaeda and its affiliates may exploit the limited ability of new Arab governments to control their territory, according to the United States Institute of Peace's Dan Brumberg. Now the organization and its affiliates have no incentive to directly challenge the new governments. But they are likely establishing local cells that could pose a security threat.
Mali: It’s Salafi-Jihadist Insurgency, Stupid!
Jan 29, 2013
On January 28, a new report by the Quilliam Foundation warned that the Mali conflict has now evolved into a global security threat. The latest chapter in the half-century old conflict began in July 2012 when Islamic extremists linked to al Qaeda seized control of northern Mali. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has been winning recruits since the mid-2000s, rebranding the Taureg nationalist movement as an Islamist one.
Turmoil in Tunisia Two Years Later
Jan 16, 2013
The second anniversary of Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution reflected the deepening political divisions across the North African country. Five different political factions—two Islamist and three secular parties—took to the street of Tunis on January 14 to mark the ouster of former President Zine al Abidine Ben Ali. They had starkly different messages.
Al Nusra Front: Syria’s Top Islamist Militia
Jan 09, 2013
On January 8, the Quilliam Foundation released a new strategic briefing on the Al Nusra Front (Jabhat al Nusra), a powerful rebel group fighting the Syrian regime. The report warned that the hard-line Islamist group is linked to al Qaeda, seeks to create a new jihadist umbrella movement in Syria and ultimately create a caliphate.
Middle East in 2013: Promise and (Lots of) Peril
Dec 18, 2012
The Middle East faces even bigger challenges in 2013 than it did during the first two years of the so-called Arab Spring. So far—a pivotal caveat—the Arab uprisings have deepened the political divide, worsened economic woes and produced greater insecurity. Solutions are not imminent either.
Facebook Sheikhs: Egypt
Dec 11, 2012
Egypt’s Facebook sheikhs reflect the growing diversity within Islam. The new tech-savvy sheikhs range from rock-star street preachers to Salafi populists. Even the old clerics are finding they have to be hip to keep their flocks. Their television shows, broadcast on popular satellite stations, compete for viewers—generating new rivalries over who controls the Muslim message.
Tunisia: Interview with Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi
Nov 02, 2012
Tunisia -- Robin Wright interviewed Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, the leader of Ennahda Party, on the first anniversary of Tunisia’s first democratic elections. Ghannouchi reflected on the new Islamist spectrum, especially concern about the growing Salafi factor.
Interview between Efraim Halevy and Aaron David Miller
Oct 24, 2012
Efraim Halevy is a former Director of Mossad and former Head of the Israeli National Security Council. Aaron David Miller is the Vice President for New Initiatives at the Woodrow Wilson Center. The interview took place following the October 18 meeting “Iran, Palestine, and the Arab Spring: The View from Israel” at the Wilson Center.
Obama, Romney Debate U.S. Policy in the Middle East
Oct 23, 2012
U.S. policy in the Middle East was a central point of dispute during the final presidential debate on October 22. President Barack Obama claimed that he has shown strong leadership on counterterrorism, democracy, women’s rights and religious minorities. During the debate, he labeled Romney’s proposed policies “reckless” and “all over the map.” Governor Romney criticized Obama for not stemming the “rising tide of chaos” in the region. He called for arming the “responsible parties” of Syrian insurgents in order to force President Bashar Assad out. Both candidates emphasized economic development as the key to stability and peace in the region.