Rise of the E-Militias: Designated Terrorist Groups Infest Iraq’s Digital Economy

Abstract: Iraq’s digital economy is one of its fastest-growing sectors, driven by an expanding youth population, a transition to e-governance services, and the potential for Iraq to become a regional data transit hub. As with militia monetization of Iraq’s oil sector, the telecommunications industry is attracting the attention of U.S.-designated terrorist groups. They have two motives: to generate threat finances and to control and monitor data to strengthen their grip on the population and on Western diplomatic, military, and commercial entities inside Iraq. In the year before Iraq’s November 2025 elections, the outgoing government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani revealed the extent of militia penetration of the sector by awarding sensitive telecoms contracts to a now-sanctioned militia economic conglomerate, while also offering U.S.-origin equipment to militias and channeling lucrative 5G mobile telephony licenses exclusively to militia businessmen.

The Best of Times, the Worst of Times: The Repressed Islamic State Affiliates

Abstract: It has been more than 10 years since Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi ascended the pulpit in the al-Nuri mosque to announce that the group known as the Islamic State had, at least in its own eyes, fulfilled the requirement to become a caliphate. In doing so, he opened an era of expansion for the Islamic State in which it welcomed numerous affiliates into its fold from all over the world. While some of those affiliates remain to this day, others appear to have faded away, at least when it comes to carrying out operations. This article explores these “repressed” affiliates in an effort to provide a brief overview of potential reasons behind their decline. The stories of each of these affiliates contain both similarities and differences. The repression of Islamic State affiliates seems to be the result of a combination of factors, ranging from military power of external actors to in-group conflict to an inability to gain a foothold among a target population. The importance of nuanced counterterrorism efforts, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach, is the main takeaway of this analysis.

Foreign Terrorist Fighters: A Threat in Stasis

Abstract: This article examines the historical trajectory of “foreign terrorist fighters” associated with the Islamic State and its antecedents, al-Qa`ida and the Arab Afghans. The article argues that the threat of foreign fighters today is best understood as being in stasis. Foreign fighters continue to pursue external operations against the West. They also transfer new tactics, techniques, and procedures between conflict zones. These patterns are not new. Beyond these historical patterns, foreign terrorist fighters have become increasingly adept at reaching out to new sympathizers and serving as interlocutors between Islamic State affiliates in conflict zones and their sympathizers. FTFs also have utilized end-to-end encryption technologies, generative artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrencies to magnify their impact. Nevertheless, it is not yet time for alarm. Countries have strengthened their laws, intelligence-sharing, and law enforcement coordination over the past decade. If governments continue to build on this collective effort and devote resources toward mitigating foreign fighter flows, the threat should remain in stasis.

Al-Sharaa Regime Strengthening Ties With Russia Amid Public Disapproval Due To Russia’s Past Alliance With Assad Regime

In recent weeks, there has been a noticeable warming of relations between Syria’s new regime, led by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, and Russia. This rapprochement has met with criticism from many Syrians, given that Russia was a key ally of the Bashar Al-Assad regime. During Syria’s civil war it took brutal action against Assad’s opponents,[1] and today it provides asylum to the ousted president himself, his family and senior officials of his regime, while refusing to extradite them.[2] Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), the organization led by Al-Sharaa before he became president,[3] was frequently a target of these Russian attacks. But despite this, since coming to power in December 2024 Al-Sharaa has taken are not to alienate Russia and has not acted to remove its remaining military presence in Syria. This approach has also been evident in statements by Al-Sharaa and senior members of his regime, who have consistently taken a neutral, and at times even positive, tone towards Russia.[4] In addition, there have been mutual visits between the two countries: a senior delegation of Syrian ministers headed by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani visited Moscow on July 31, 2025, and a Russian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak visited Damascus on September 9, 2025. On both occasions the sides expressed a mutual desire to “turn over a new leaf of genuine cooperation.”[5] The highlight was Al-Sharaa’s visit to Moscow on October 15, 2025 and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which lasted about two and a half hours and during which both sides emphasized their desire to strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.[6]

Unsolved Murder of Bedouin Couple Fans Sectarian Flames in Syria

Syria seems to be inching back towards fracturing. On November 23, unknown individuals killed a husband and wife from a Sunni Arab Bedouin tribe in Homs Province. Authorities found slogans written at the scene that are commonly associated with Alawite and Shiite communities, such as “Ya Ali, Ya Hussein.”

Despite the fact that “initial investigations confirmed that the phrases written at the crime scene were placed with the aim of misleading and do not have a sectarian character,” according to the Syrian Ministry of Interior, more violence ensued. Bedouin tribesmen targeted mixed Bedouin-Alawite neighborhoods in Homs and destroyed several properties. Despite government forces eventually restoring control, the incident has put Syria’s internal fragility on display.

The Qatar Monitor Project (QMP) – A New MEMRI Project In Defense Of The U.S. And Western World – UPDATED With Qatar Weekly Updates (QWU) Nos. 1-48

Introduction

Qatar is a big winner in the Syrian revolution, having supported the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and its leader Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani (formerly ISIS and Al-Qaeda and now Muslim Brotherhood) who has a $10 million bounty on his head.[1] This is Qatar’s classic game: support the Islamist terrorists and then present itself as a mediator, liaison, and even peacemaker – the arsonist playing firefighter. As in Afghanistan, as in Egypt in 2010, and as in every Muslim country.

Un véritable plan de paix pour l’Ukraine

La publication surprise, la semaine dernière, d’un projet de plan de paix pour l’Ukraine a suscité l’espoir d’une fin imminente à ce conflit sanglant qui dure depuis près de trois ans. L’Ukraine a subi des pertes terribles qui pourraient bouleverser sa démographie pour les décennies à venir.

Pakistan army cautiously rejects strikes in Afghanistan

Pakistan’s military on Tuesday issued a cautious response to Taliban accusations of deadly airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, saying it does not conduct undeclared military operations and “never targets civilians”.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that Pakistani strikes hit parts of Khost, Paktika and Kunar provinces overnight, killing at least 10 civilians. Mujahid described the attacks as “violations and crimes” and said Afghanistan would issue a “timely” response.