Global Terrorism: Threats to the Homeland
Chairman Thompson, Ranking Member Rogers, and other members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to testify today.
ANKARA GRAVITATES CLOSER TO MOSCOW
On the heels of its suspension from the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program, Turkey is now reportedly considering joint development of its own fighter jet with Russia.
New Sanctions Designations on Iran’s Space Program
Today, the Department of State designated the Iran Space Agency and two of its research institutes under Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and WMD delivery systems and their supporters – the first time the United States is publicly designating Iran’s civilian space agency.
Boko Haram: Bloody Terror, No End in Sight
Every year, Nigeria’s Boko Haram, which has gained a foothold in the neighboring African countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, appears to be growing stronger.
Extremist Content Online: Another Pro-ISIS Channel Found on YouTube
The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) reports weekly on the methods used by extremists to exploit the Internet and social media platforms to recruit followers and incite violence. This week, a pro-ISIS account that linked to propaganda appeared on YouTube and an unofficial media group that supports the terror group released a video titled, “The Severity of the Caliphate” on multiple websites. Lastly, instructions for making TATP (triacetone triperoxide) explosives were shared on a white supremacist Telegram channel.
HEZBOLLAH CALLS ISRAEL’S BLUFF
After Israel launched attacks in three different countries across the Middle East last week, Hezbollah responded by firing missiles at several Israeli military targets.
The Chaotic Endgame of Brexit
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s August 28 request to suspend Parliament has spurred political anxiety as the UK’s scheduled October 31 exit from the European Union approaches.
European Dreams vs. Mass Migration
Unfortunately, the European mindset refuses to face the reality, as if the challenge is too severe to be addressed.
“The conference took place under the theme ‘Penser l’Europe’ [‘Thinking of Europe’]… There, I was disturbed to hear Tariq Ramadan speaking of Europe as dar al-Shahada, i.e. house of Islamic belief. The attending audience was alarmed, but did not get the message of the perception of Europe… as a part of house of Islam. If Europe is no longer perceived as dar al-Harb/house of war, but viewed as part of the peaceful house of Islam, then this is not a sign of moderation, as some wrongly assume: it is the mindset of an Islamization of Europe”. — Bassam Tibi, Professor Emeritus of International Relations, University of Goettingen.
Israel Faces a Serious Escalation in its Proxy War with Iran
The fact that Israel has found it necessary to attack targets so far from its traditional area of military operations close to its immediate borders is indicative of the alarming escalation that has taken place in recent months in the threat Iran poses to Israeli security.
ISRAEL STEPS UP ATTACKS ON IRANIAN PROXIES
Israel claimed responsibility for a recent airstrike in Syria last weekend, signaling that the long-simmering shadow war between Israel and Iran could escalate further.