The successors to Mohammed as leaders of the Muslim religion bore the title of "Caliph". The Caliphate has undergone numerous historical transformations and was never recognized by the Shiites, who claim that the legitimate line was cut short by … [Read more...] about Al Qaeda’s Expanding Caliphate *
Iran
Anti-Semitism and Alternative History – Weapons in the War Against the Jews
Hatred of Judaism and the Jews is an intellectual creation. Its foundations were laid in ancient times by historians, writers, poets, philosophers and artists long before Christianity added the theological dimension. Since then it has been the one … [Read more...] about Anti-Semitism and Alternative History – Weapons in the War Against the Jews
Hezbollah’s Involvement in the Civil War in Syria
Left: Hezbollah operatives celebrate their victory after the takeover of the city of Yabrud (YouTube, March 16, 2014). Hezbollah regards the takeover of Yabrud as a security and morale-boosting achievement, costing the organization relatively few … [Read more...] about Hezbollah’s Involvement in the Civil War in Syria
Pakistan Redux*
With all the attention being paid to the Turkish election, the continuing "negotiations" between the six powers and Iran and the ins and outs of the talks that at some point may or may not take place between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, … [Read more...] about Pakistan Redux*
Profile of Shi’ite Foreign Fighters in Syria
The Shi'ite foreign fighters fighting in Syria can be divided into two main groups: one consists of Hezbollah operatives, of whom there are several thousand, sent by the organization to participate in offensive and defensive operations in Syria. The … [Read more...] about Profile of Shi’ite Foreign Fighters in Syria
Yemen: The Never-Ending Battleground
Yesterday's attack that killed at least 20 Yemeni soldiers is the latest Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula's (AQAP) atrocity in the region. It came at a time the country is debating the February 10 Regions Defining Committee's decision to turn Yemen … [Read more...] about Yemen: The Never-Ending Battleground
Shi’a Jihadis in Syria
Left: Group picture of Shi'ite foreign fighters in the Abu al-Fadhel al-Abbas Brigade, a military unit composed mainly of militia operatives from Iraq. In white is Qasim al-Ta'i, a prominent Shi'ite Iraqi cleric who recruits Shi'ite operatives for … [Read more...] about Shi’a Jihadis in Syria
ACD Weekly Update, March 8 – 14
Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to announce that he will not annex Crimea to Russia even if Sunday's referendum outcome will favor such action, Rachel Ehrenfeld says in Crimean Tatars, However, in seizing Crimea, Vladimir Putin may well have … [Read more...] about ACD Weekly Update, March 8 – 14
Islamic Da’wah for Dummies
Part One: The Importance of Da’wah From its very beginning, Islam was spread politically and occupied territories by two arms: Jihad, the violent arms of occupation, violence and war-mongering, and Da'wah, the diplomatic and propaganda arm with the … [Read more...] about Islamic Da’wah for Dummies
The Saudi Dilemma*
These are perilous times for the desert kingdom, which sees itself as the very center of Sunni Islam, which for Sunnis is the only true Islam. It is facing a highly complex and dangerous confluence of circumstances that would have seemed most … [Read more...] about The Saudi Dilemma*