The U.S. killed al-Qaeda’s leader. That might boost terrorism.
‘Leadership decapitation’ can inspire Islamist extremist groups and followers to carry out more attacks, my research finds
Groups like the Taliban have seized power elsewhere. Will the Taliban face similar difficulties governing?
The research shows how hard it is to go from armed rebellion to leadership
Why has Italy avoided jihadist terrorist attacks? Our research helps explain.
Italy’s centralized intelligence and controversial deportation policy have made a difference.
Why has the Syrian civil war lasted so long?
[caption id="attachment_76120" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Syrian national flag flies amid
Did bin Laden’s death help the Islamic State?
[caption id="attachment_72869" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An undated photo shows al-Qaeda leader
How militants in Iraq and Syria recruit and use children
[caption id="attachment_69216" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Young boys known as the Cubs
When did Congress authorize fighting in Niger? That’s an excellent question.
It’s Veterans Day – not a bad time to give
Why key Arab countries have cut ties with Qatar — and what Trump had to do with it
The decision by five Arab states to sever ties with
Many Syrians are skeptical of peace talks. Here’s why.
[caption id="attachment_53522" align="aligncenter" width="960"] From left: Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy
The U.S. needs a new approach to counterinsurgency. This is what it can learn from El Salvador.
[caption id="attachment_50556" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Al-Nusra Front fighters in the town
It’s been 15 years since 9/11. How has al-Qaeda changed?
[caption id="attachment_46093" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this Sept. 11, 2001 file
Here’s why terrorist suicide attacks are increasing: They attract rewards from ISIS and al-Qaeda
[caption id="attachment_45332" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iraqi rescue workers inspect damages after
When does Islam generate Western anxiety?
[caption id="attachment_44565" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A girl reads the Koran during
This is the problem with trying to destroy the Islamic State
[caption id="attachment_42441" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A fighter of the Islamic State
Why the United States hasn’t intervened in Syria
[caption id="attachment_37157" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Secretary of State John Kerry looks
The Paris attacks are just what counterterrorism analysts have feared since Mumbai. Here are three takeaways.
[caption id="attachment_32304" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A guitar reading "Ode to life"
A provocative article says the Islamic State is a mystery. Here’s why that’s wrong.
[caption id="attachment_28953" align="aligncenter" width="908"] In this June 23, 2014, file
A provocative article says the Islamic State is a mystery. Here's why that's wrong.
[caption id="attachment_28953" align="aligncenter" width="908"] In this June 23, 2014, file
What Syrians actually think of a peace deal
[caption id="attachment_27967" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center "] Syrians living in Jordan
Why Islamist insurgents are so difficult to coerce
[caption id="attachment_24310" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Islamic fighters from al-Nusra Front
Deradicalization revisited
[caption id="attachment_21457" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Religious, political and law enforcement leaders
Muslim NGOs could help counter violent extremism
[caption id="attachment_21380" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Islamic State militants hold up their
Why extremism thrives in the Middle East today
[caption id="attachment_21183" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Members of al Nusra Front drive
The Islamic State’s model
[caption id="attachment_20630" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A member of security (L) for
How the U.S. fragmented Syria's rebels
[caption id="attachment_16015" align="alignnone" width="620"] Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (left)
How the U.S. fragmented Syria’s rebels
[caption id="attachment_16015" align="alignnone" width="620"] Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (left)
Local struggles in Syria's northeast
[caption id="attachment_15486" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (left) talks
Local struggles in Syria’s northeast
[caption id="attachment_15486" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (left) talks
Would arming Syria’s rebels have stopped the Islamic State?
[caption id="attachment_14274" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Flier for Syria fundraising event in
The Middle East quasi-state system
[caption id="attachment_10914" align="aligncenter" width="1024" special=""] File: In Hermel, Lebanon, people
Why are fighters leaving the Free Syrian Army?
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Free Syrian Army fighters walk
When jihadists learn how to help
[caption id="attachment_10160" align="aligncenter" width="567" special=""] Members of the Libyan Salafi
Foreign jihadists aren't as big a threat to the West as you might think
[caption id="attachment_191" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Kabir Dhanji / European Pressphoto
That Op-Ed by Putin: Where Is He Right, and Where Is He Wrong?
Here’s my quick and dirty run-down of Putin’s op-ed published in
Jihadi foreign fighters: How dangerous?
In our continuing collaboration with political science journals, the following