Show and Tell: Expert Perspectives on Indicators and Warning Approaches for External Terror Ops

Abstract: It is critical for the counterterrorism community to have a sophisticated understanding of the components of external operations and the indicators that help to signal that a network’s interest, capabilities, or attack planning are advancing. It is even more critical to be able to effectively provide warning when an external operations terror attack is imminent. To help enhance and validate existing indicators and warning approaches, the authors conducted a survey of 30 practitioners, academics, and private sector specialists to acquire unique and varied insights on this important issue. This article provides a summary of key indicators that could indicate a change in a group’s intent and capability to conduct an external operations attack. It then examines existing shortfalls and offers potential solutions in the areas of artificial intelligence, data prioritization, and information sharing, before concluding with some unique models to consider from other fields that can help existing I&W approaches to evolve.

Jihadist Spillover Impact and Deteriorating Security in Coastal West Africa

Jihadist groups in the Sahel, particularly from Burkina Faso, now regularly cross into northern Ghana, using the area for logistical and medical purposes to sustain ongoing insurgencies and help expand freedom of movement throughout West Africa.

Though Ghana has thus far been spared of any major terrorist attacks, there have been attacks in neighboring countries on the West African coast, including Benin and Togo.

‘Daleel Al-Muqatil’ – ‘The Fighter’s Guide’: Hamas’s Religious-Operational Guide For Commanders – Translation And Analysis

Introduction

The atrocities committed by Hamas mujahideen in southern Israel on October 7, 2023 were carried out in the name of Islam, and for the sake of serving Allah’s will. Hamas’s activity, like that of other Islamist terrorist organizations, has its roots in Islamic religious sources, and aims to emulate the deeds and actions of the Prophet Muhammad and his seventh-century Companions.

Gaza War: Banning UNRWA and the Challenges of Global Governance

The ban on UNRWA imposes humanitarian challenges on its beneficiaries in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and is considered a political and legal transgression in light of the agency’s mandate, history and roles. It also highlights the issue of global governance and its ability to achieve an appropriate response in a highly tense world, especially at the levels of relief and humanitarian aid.

A Year Since October 7: Where Did the Region Reach?

This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the attacks carried out by Hamas against Israeli settlements and military bases in the Gaza envelope on October 7, 2023. The ideological framework of these attacks was based on a set of political and military foundations that shape Hamas’s vision of the conflict with Israel, as well as the tools and strategies for managing it, considering past experiences and new developments. The paper also addresses the Palestinian landscape and the trajectory of the movement before and after October 7, along with the considerations for the second year of the war.

The New Axis of Tyrannies vs. the West: A Mighty Clash of Titans

The reason for the axis’s actions appears to be a desire for a new world order with themselves at the helm. They seem to believe that through their combined effort, America’s unipolar global leadership in the political, economic and military spheres can be upended.

[T]he driving forces underlying this developing clash of major powers have many facets, one of which appears to be religion, always a convenient pretext as so much can never be proven.

Palestinian Writers Slam Hamas’ Policy And Conduct: Its October 7 Attack Was Reckless; It Places No Value On Palestinian Lives; It Serves The Agenda Of Iran And The Muslim Brotherhood

In the recent months, numerous articles in the Palestinian dailies Al-Hayat Al-Jadida and Al-Ayyam, published in the Palestinian Authority (PA) territories in the West Bank, have voiced sharp criticism against Hamas, emphasizing the immense damage it has caused to the Palestinian people and their national struggle, especially since its October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel.[1]