Terrorism & Extremism

Eldar Mamedov Russia sees much to gain from engaging with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Earlier this month, in a move that surprised some, Russia formally recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The decision reflected a calculated geopolitical strategy rather than an ideological endorsement. By engaging with the …

Ferial Ara Saeed Saudi Arabia and the UAE have emerged as central components in the Trump administration’s AI strategy. But interdependence carries its risks. Red Cell The Red Cell series is published in collaboration with the Stimson Center. Drawing upon the legacy of the CIA’s Red Cell—established following …

Abdul Haq In a historic decision that reflected worries about a more unstable world, leaders of NATO decided to increase defense spending commitments to 5% of GDP by 2035 at the June 2025 summit. In a time of ‘global competition,’ NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that ‘Europe and …

Leon Hadar The longtime pro-Israel bipartisan consensus in American politics is fading—precisely at the moment Israel needs it most. It has become a worn trope among anti-Semitic political commentators that the United States regularly sends its soldiers to “die for Israel.” Yet while Israel has relied on generous …

Seth J. Frantzman The June 22 attack on the Mar Elias Church in Damascus underscores the threat of extremism in Syria even after the fall of Assad. The new government must demonstrate control and protect minorities. An attack on a church on Sunday, June 22, killed 25 people …

Israel’s surprise attack on Friday, June 13, dealt heavy blows to Iran, including the assassination of several top military commanders and nuclear scientists, and the targeting of nuclear and military sites. With Iran’s radar defense systems hacked, the Israeli Air Force effectively dominated Iranian airspace and successfully struck …

A startling claim is rippling through defense circles in the Middle East: Iran may have successfully shot down two Israeli F-35 stealth fighter jets—and then deliberately kept it quiet. According to a military expert closely monitoring regional security dynamics, the incident allegedly occurred during a suspected espionage or …

Peter Rogers The image of Donald Trump shaking hands with Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria’s current leader, in Riyadh is one that, until recently, would have seemed unimaginable. Al-Sharaa, once on the U.S. most-wanted list with a $10 million bounty for information leading to his capture, now stood alongside Trump …

China is working hard to make the Renminbi (RMB) widely used worldwide and lessen the U.S. dollar’s role in global trade. These efforts are having a significant effect on the global financial landscape. China’s growth in the renminbi, primarily through bilateral agreements between Indonesia and China to use …