Studies and bulletins dealing with the growing strength of al-Qaeda and the global jihad in Syria -- The Meir Amit Intelligence and Information Center Overview 1. On May 13, 2014, the ITIC issued a new study (112 pages long) about the phenomenon … [Read more...] about Studies of al Nusra and Foreign Fighters in Syria*
Contributor: Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
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
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
Al-Qaida’s Repudiation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria
[At left] From the text of Al-Zawahiri’s announcement concerning Al-Qaeda’s repudiation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria. The announcement was published on Islamist forums affiliated with Al-Qaeda (www.muslm.org) Overview 1. On … [Read more...] about Al-Qaida’s Repudiation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Greater Syria
Hezbollah Intensifies Fighting in Syria
1. In late 2013, Hezbollah had intensified its military involvement in the civil war in Syria, suffering heavy losses. The main three sites of Hezbollah fighting were the eastern rural area of Damascus (Al-Ghouta al-Sharqiyya), the Al-Qalamoun … [Read more...] about Hezbollah Intensifies Fighting in Syria
Iran’s Political Preachers Are Back
You’ll be happy to know that nuclear negotiations between the West and Iran are going swimmingly. “The two sides’ detailed talks were very good,” said Iran’s Ambassador to the IAEA Reza Najafi. The Iranian Press TV reported, “a joint statement at the … [Read more...] about Iran’s Political Preachers Are Back
Rouhani’s Role in Advancing Iran’s Nuclear Agenda
Whoever "re-branded" Hassan Rouhani as a "moderate" and "reformer," setting him apart from the radical Shiite regime in Iran, has done a terrific job. In a campaign interview (May 27) prior to his election as Iran's president, he took full credit for … [Read more...] about Rouhani’s Role in Advancing Iran’s Nuclear Agenda
Pragmatism a la Islam
In 1994, then mayor of Isbanbul, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan famously proclaimed himself an Islamist-a "servant of shari'a." Further, he said that, for Islamists, "democracy is just the train we board to reach our destination. When … [Read more...] about Pragmatism a la Islam
Meet Hassan Rouhani’s Younger Brother and Adviser Hossein Fereydoun
Summary Since the election of Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, his brother, Hossein Fereydoun, has been presented in the Iranian media as one of his allies and senior advisers. He accompanies the president to some of his meetings, he accompanied … [Read more...] about Meet Hassan Rouhani’s Younger Brother and Adviser Hossein Fereydoun
Iran’s Artful “Negotiation”
On the eve of the West's negotiations with Iran, the West seems to have given up on demands that Iran stop its nuclear enrichment program, as well as on maintaining the sanctions. Our Pollyannas in the media and policy "talking heads" want us to … [Read more...] about Iran’s Artful “Negotiation”