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About Contact Us CT Blog Experts in the Media CT Library Counterterrorism Foundation Websites & Centers RSS & PDA Feeds Monthly Archives POSTS ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR POSTS ON 2008 MUMBAI ATTACK Counterterrorism Blog Panels: Reforming U.S. Counter-Terrorism Assistance Programs, Feb. 12 The 2008 Mumbai Attacks, Dec. 4 Future of Turkey-U.S. Strategic Partnership, May 19 Iran & U.S.: Outlook for Next Decade? April 15 Compañeros de Armas ("Friends in Arms"): Chavez, FARC & South America, March 19 Meta-Terror: Terrorism & the Virtual World, Feb. 29 Evolution of US Counterterrorism Policy, Feb. 12 Terrorism Litigation After Boim Decision, Jan. 28 Holy Land Foundation & Muslim Brotherhood, Dec. 11, 2007 ------------ July 2008 Posts and August 2008 Posts Contributing Experts
Douglas Farah, Editor
Steven Emerson & The Investigative Project on Terrorism Dennis Lormel Bill West Evan Kohlmann Michael Cutler Victor Comras Michael Kraft Dr. Zachary Abuza Dr. Walid Phares Daveed Gartenstein-Ross Olivier Guitta Kenneth Conboy Aaron Mannes David Schenker Animesh Roul Matthew Levitt Jonathan Winer Michael Jacobson Frank Hyland Roderick Jones Paul Cruickshank Farhana Ali Lorenzo Vidino Madeleine Gruen James McGinnis Michael Braun James Gordon Meek, Guest Expert Margot Williams, SNS Global, Newslinks Editor Phillip Smyth & Mark Offenbach, Asst. Newslinks Editors Andrew Cochran, Founder & Editor Emeritus EXPERTS' ARCHIVES & BIOS Recent Posts
Feiz Muhammad: Pro-Jihad Ideologue with Influence in the U.S.
LeT’s David Headley Pleads Guilty, Escapes Death and Extradition The De-Listing of Yousef Nada Defensiveness Dominates Homeland Security Session The Return of IIRO? "Jihobbyists" No More: English-Speaking Western Jihadists Coming of Age Indonesia Counter-Terrorism Raids Continue Hezbollah's Penance--Hizballah works to rebuild its Tarnished Image India’s strategic role in countering Jihadism Closing Loopholes: Another Vital Aspect of Sanctions on Iran Experts' Books
Walid Phares: The Confrontation and "The War of Ideas: Jihadism against Democracy" and “Future Jihad: Terrorist Strategies Against America”
Michael Kraft & Yonah Alexander (Editors): "Evolution of U.S. Counterterrorism Policy" Douglas Farah & Zachary Abuza in Countering the Financing of Terrorism Douglas Farah: "Merchant of Death" and "Blood From Stones: The Secret Financial Network of Terror" Michael Jacobson: "The West at War: U.S. and European Counterterrorism Efforts, Post–September 11" Daveed Gartenstein-Ross: "My Year Inside Radical Islam: A Memoir" Steven Emerson: "Jihad Incorporated: A Guide to Militant Islam in the US" and "American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us" Victor Comras & Matthew Levitt (contributors): "Terrorism Financing and State Responses," Stanford University Press Matthew Levitt: "Negotiating Under Fire: Preserving Peace Talks in the Face of Terror Attacks" and "Hamas: Politics, Charity, and Terrorism in the Service of Jihad" and "Targeting Terror: U.S. Policy toward Middle Eastern State Sponsors and Terrorist Organizations, Post-September 11" Zachary Abuza: "Political Islam and Violence in Indonesia" and "Militant Islam in Southeast Asia: Crucible of Terror" Lorenzo Vidino "Al Qaeda in Europe: The New Battleground of Global Jihad" Kenneth Conboy: "The Second Front: Inside Asia’s Most Dangerous Terrorist Network" Evan Kohlmann: "Al-Qaida's Jihad in Europe: The Afghan-Bosnian Network" Credits
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Matthew Levitt Archives
Dinner in Damascus: What Did Iran Ask of Hizballah?By Matthew LevittMy colleague David Schenker and I argue in an article on the state of Hizballah that a successful Hizballah attack against an Israeli target -- whether on the Israeli-Lebanese border or abroad - to avenge the assassination of Imad Mughniyah... New Multilateral Consensus Emerges on IranBy Matthew LevittIn an article co-authored with my colleague Patrick Clawson, I argue that two new reports indicate that a new multilateral consensus is emerging on Iran. A February 18 report from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Paris-based organization that... What Europe Can Do to Secure a Deal with IranBy Matthew LevittAgainst the backdrop of the Iranian government's continuing crackdown on its critics, Western powers are preparing for a fourth round of multilateral sanctions and other measures in the hopes of persuading Tehran to alter course on its controversial uranium enrichment... The Long Arm of Lashkar-e-TaibaBy Matthew LevittIn an article written for The Washington Institute, LeT expert Steve Tankel notes that in his February 2 testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair highlighted the growing danger posed by Pakistani militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba... Can Gaza Become a Somalia or Yemen?By Matthew LevittThe recent arrest of an organized cell in the northern West Bank inspired by al-Qaida's ideology is a stark reminder of the expanding nature of the threat facing Israel. Today, threats come not only from the enemies it has long... When Yemen Meets GazaBy Matthew LevittThe following is an excerpt of my latest article, which appears in Foreign Policy. The Christmas Day pants bomber traveled a well-worn path to global terrorism: through Yemen. From the bombing of the U.S.S. Cole in the Gulf of Aden,... The Political Economy of Syrian Support for Iraqi InsurgentsBy Matthew LevittIn 2008, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body focused on preventing money laundering and terror financing, reported that while financing individual attacks may be relatively inexpensive when set against the damage inflicted, "maintaining a terrorist network, or... The Escalating Ties between Middle Eastern Terrorist Groups and Criminal ActivityBy Matthew LevittIn the latest in The Washington Institute's CT lecture series, Ambassador David Johnson, assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, discussed the growing nexus of major terrorist groups with international crime. Ambassdor Johnson... Deterred but Determined: Salafi-Jihadi Groups in the Palestinian ArenaBy Matthew LevittLast summer, Hamas security forces raided a mosque affiliated with the Salafi-Jihadi group Jand Ansar Allah, killing 24 and wounding 130 in the ensuing firefight. This relatively recent episode highlights the presence in Gaza of Salafi-Jihadi groups inspired by but... Contending with the PKK's Narco-TerrorismBy Matthew LevittOn December 8, the United Nations Security Council will host its first-ever thematic debate on drug trafficking as a threat to international security. This focus is notable. U.S. officials are increasingly concerned with the evolving threat of drug trafficking, especially... Disrupting Iran's Weapons SmugglingBy Matthew LevittEven as the West seeks to engage Iran in negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program, Iran continues to arm rogue regimes and terrorist groups in blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1747. Such aggressive behavior on the part of Iran... Hamas's Ideological CrisisBy Matthew LevittDespite its success as the first Muslim Brotherhood organization to control and govern territory, and in part because of that success, Hamas today is under significant stress. In the West Bank, Hamas faces a severe security crackdown that has driven... Israel as an Al-Qa`ida Target: Sorting Rhetoric From RealityBy Matthew LevittA variety of groups in the Palestinian Territories claim to be affiliated with or inspired by al-Qa`ida. None of these groups, however, have been welcomed into the al-Qa`ida franchise. Moreover, this bottom up phenomenon where local Palestinian groups reach out... Peacebuilding amid Terrorism: Fragile Gains in SomaliaBy Matthew LevittThe Washington Institute published Part 2 of Professor Andre Le Sage's analyis of jihadism in Somalia today. The first part focused on the country's growing insurgency, while this one addresses peacebuilding efforts in the context of terrorism in Somalia. Here... Afghan Hezbollah? Be Careful What You Wish ForBy Matthew LevittAs I recently wrote for Middle East Strategy at Harvard (MESH), The Washington Post reported last week that some in the administration see the Lebanese Hezbollah as a possible model for transformation of the Taliban. Describing the Taliban as a... Hamas: Ideologically Challenged, Militarily LimitedBy Matthew LevittHamas in the Gaza Strip is under significant stress. As a government it has failed to provide for the needs of its purported constituents, and remains an international pariah under economic siege. At the same time, its credentials as a... Confronting the Ideology of Radical ExtremismBy Matthew LevittToday, President Obama visited the National Counterterrorism Center where he told analysts "We will target Al-Qaeda wherever they take root, we will not yield in our pursuit." But asthe United States continues to fight on multiple fronts to disrupt the... Al-Qaeda and Taliban Status Check: A Resurgent Threat?By Matthew LevittDespite recent reports of a wounded al-Qaeda core, the terrorist organization's affiliates in Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere appear to be gaining strength. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban -- al-Qaeda's close ally -- also continue to pose a growing challenge.... The World Can't Trust IranBy Matthew LevittIn a oped for the Guardian, Michael Jacobson and I argue that Iran has been deceptive on every front. As Iran's record of deception makes clear, trusting in Iran's good intentions at the negotiating table is simply a fool's errand.... Contending with Transnational Threats: The Role of Special OperationsBy Matthew LevittU.S. secretary of defense Robert Gates has argued that military power alone will not ensure victory in the war on terror. Nonetheless, the precise role of the military continues to pose a challenge, particularly for transnational threats cutting across the... Contending with Iran's Sponsorship of Terrorism and Weapons ProliferationBy Matthew LevittLast week I had the opportunity to address the plenary session of the annual international conference of the Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) in Herzliya, Israel. The lecture highlighted the aggressive and proactive nature of Iran's support for terrorism, and concluded... Reality Contradicts New Hamas SpinBy Matthew LevittIn recent interviews, Hamas leader Khaled Mashal has offered to cooperate with U.S. efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, indicated a willingness to implement an immediate and reciprocal ceasefire with Israel, and stated that the militant... Minimizing Potential Threats from Iran: Assessing Economic SanctionsBy Matthew LevittYesterday I had the opportunity to testify before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on the subject of "Minimizing Potential Threats from Iran: Assessing Economic Sanctions and Other Policy Options." Senator Lieberman addressed the committee first, followed... Foreign Fighters and Their Economic Impact: A Case Study of Syria and al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)By Matthew LevittOn July 14-15, the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) sponsored a conference in Washington DC at the National Press Club on "The Foreign Fighter Problem." I presented a paper for a panel on "Foreign Fighters and their Economic Impact," focused... Punitive Power: Combating Proliferation with SanctionsBy Matthew LevittOn April 5, despite repeated warnings from the US and others, North Korea launched a rocket the regime claimed was sending a satellite into space, but which Washington viewed as another test of the regime’s ballistic missile systems. On April... Hizballah Campaigns at Home, Exposed AbroadBy Matthew LevittAs the Hizballah-led March 8 coalition campaigns ahead of Lebanon's June 7 elections, the group has been forced to contend with the unexpected exposure of its covert terrorist activities both at home and abroad. At home, Hizballah now stands accused... RADICALIZATION: MADE IN THE USA?By Matthew LevittWhen officials announced the successful prevention of a plot in New York to bomb synagogues and down airplanes with rocket-propelled grenades, many reacted with shock at the prospect of locally radicalized violent extremists plotting attacks here at home. Indeed, policymakers,... Missing the Point on HamasBy Matthew LevittPaul McGeough, an accomplished reporter with the Sydney Morning Herald, has written a page-turner of a book on the failed assassination attempt of Hamas leader Khaled Mishal, but as a serious and balanced study of Hamas, the book's flaws run... Hezbollah Supporters Targeted in AfricaBy Matthew LevittFollowing earlier designations targeting Hezbollah networks in South America, the U.S. Treasury designated today two Hezbollah supporters based in Africa. The action is significant, given that Hizballah operatives in Africa raise and launder significant sums of money, recruit local operatives,... U.S. Must Work to Prevent RadicalizationBy Matthew LevittWriting in the Indianapolis Star, Tim Roemer and Lorne Craner, members of The Washington Institute's Presidential Task Force on Confronting the Ideology of Radical Extremism, highlight the need to focus not just on violent extremism but on the radical extremist... Disrupting Tehran's Export of Technology and WeaponsBy Matthew LevittEarlier this year, Cyprus impounded the Iranian-chartered freighter Monchegorsk, a vessel laden with war materiel bound for Syria (and perhaps beyond). This episode highlights the shortcomings of current UN and European Union sanctions on Iran, and underscores the need for... Making Smugglers Pay: Underwriting Egyptian Border SecurityBy Matthew LevittJust over a week ago, Egyptian police detained a man who was transporting $2 million dollars to North Sinai to be smuggled to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This came on the heels of two separate attempts by Hamas to... Hezbollah: Narco-IslamismBy Matthew LevittEarlier this month, the United Kingdom announced that it is reopening dialogue with the political wing of Hezbollah. Unlike the United States, the United Kingdom has only banned Hezbollah's terrorist (External Security Organization) and military wings. Meanwhile, the European Union... Dealing with Hamas: Future Pathways for BritainBy Matthew LevittLast week I spoke at the Quilliam Foundation in London on whether or not the international community should engage Hamas. The following is a summary of my remarks: The new Obama administration has placed a renewed focus on trying... CFT: The Imperative of Interagency SynergyBy Matthew LevittEarlier today I had the opportunity to testify before the The House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities at a hearing on "Tracking and Disrupting Terrorist Financial Networks: A Potential Model for Inter-agency Success?" I argued that... Focus to Remain on Terrorist FinancingBy Matthew LevittYesterday, the Obama administration officially nominated three new senior Treasury officials, including David S. Cohen to be assistant secretary in dealing with terrorist financing. Coming on the heals of the decision to keep Undersecretary Stuart Levey at the helm of... Hamas Arms Smuggling: Egypt's ChallengeBy Matthew LevittThis week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to Egypt to attend an international conference on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. While the rehabilitation of Gaza is high on the international community's agenda, the implementation of any rebuilding project... Rewriting the Narrative: An Integrated Strategy for CounterradicalizationBy Matthew LevittEXPAND FOCUS FROM COUNTERTERRORISM TO COUNTERRADICALIZATION, TASK FORCE URGES "As the U.S. government has come slowly to the realization that military force alone cannot defeat radical Islamist extremism, a precise strategy to effectively counter this extremism and empower mainstream alternatives... Al-Qaeda TodayBy Matthew LevittEarlier this week I had the pleasure of sharing a Washington Institute podium with two acclaimed scholars, Assaf Moghadam and Farhad Khosrokhavar, for a discussion about al-Qaeda today and the changing face of the global jihadist threat. Dr. Moghadam is... Countering Transnational Threats: Terrorism, Narco-Trafficking, and WMD ProliferationBy Matthew LevittToday, The Washington Institute release the second edited volume of lectures from its senior counterterrorism officials speaker series, entitled "Countering Transnational Threats: Terrorism, Narco-Trafficking, and WMD Proliferation." This second volume features the next six participants in this unique speaker series:... How to Avoid Funding Hamas: Scrutinize Those Who Receive U.S. AidBy Matthew LevittThe U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is one of the primary vehicles the U.S. government intends to use to provide newly pledged aid to Gaza. Amazingly, the agency is resisting efforts to implement a program to ensure that U.S.... Qatar Challenges Washington on HamasBy Matthew LevittAs part of The Washington Institute's focus on Gulf and counterterrorism issues, my colleague Simon Henderson and I co-authored this piece on Qatar's move away from the Arab consensus and toward Syria and Iran, as evidenced most recently by its... Broken aid system to PalestiniansBy Matthew LevittIn the wake of the Gaza war, finding ways to provide much needed humanitarian support to the residents of Gaza—without inadvertently empowering Hamas—is of paramount concern. Unfortunately, problems remain with two of the primary vehicles the U.S. government intends to... Who was Said Mohammad Siyam?By Matthew LevittSheikh Said Mohammad Siyam, killed in an Israeli airstrike this week, was one of the most senior political and military leaders of Hamas in the Gaza Strip. His death is a significant loss to Hamas, both politically and militarily. Indeed,... The Real Connection between Iran and HamasBy Matthew LevittIran’s active state sponsorship of Middle East terrorist groups is well documented, from terrorist and insurgent groups in Iraq and Afghanistan to Hizballah in Lebanon and Hamas and PIJ in the West Bank and Gaza. The Iranian regime has been... Targeting Terrorists' Financial Networks: A Moving TargetBy Matthew LevittAs Michael Jacobson and I wrote in The Jerusalem Post, despite being under geographic siege and financial sanction, Hamas was still able to smuggle some 80 tons of explosives, roadside bombs and longer-range rockets into Gaza over the course of... Political Hardball Within Hamas: Hardline Militants Calling Shots in GazaBy Matthew LevittDespite its myopic focus on promoting violent conflict rather than peaceful negotiations with Israel, Hamas is by no means a monolithic movement. Divisions within the Hamas leadership were evident, for instance, when the recent six-month ceasefire came to a close... Holding Hamas AccountableBy Matthew LevittOperation Cast Lead, initiated in response to resumed Hamas rocket attacks on communities in southern Israel, represents Israel's most furious attack on Hamas since the terrorist group assumed control of Gaza. For the past six months, an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire maintained... Follow the MoneyBy Matthew LevittWriting in today's LA Times, Michael Jacobson and I argue the benefits of including a robust effort to combat terror finance as part of a broader counterterrorism strategy. Used in tandem with other tools, combating the financing of terrorism represents... Iran's NYC Footprint: 5th Ave Property Owned by Bank Melli Front and Alavi FoundationBy Matthew LevittThe U.S. Treasury designated ASSA CORP., a New York front company created and controlled by Iran's Bank Melli, as well as its parent organization in the Channel Islands, ASSA CO. LTD. Treasury noted that Bank Melli's deceptive financial practices and... Standing Up to Terrorist Abuse of CharitiesBy Matthew LevittMy colleague Mike Jacobson and I are not the only ones to recently highlight the connection between a prominent, designated charity (Jamaat u-Dawa, JUD) and the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Yesterday's Saudi-owned Asharq Alawsat ran an editorial by the... The U.S. Campaign to Squeeze Terrorists' FinancingBy Matthew LevittIn an article in the latest volume of the Columbia Journal of International Affairs (Fall/Winter 2008), Michael Jacobson and I argue that while mounting an individual terrorist attack may cost relatively little, money remains of critical importance to terrorist organizations.... Bridging the Persian GulfBy Matthew LevittAs my colleague Michael Jacobson argue in an article published in today's Guardian (UK), terrorist networks are active in the Persian Gulf -- including some that finance the group that carried out the Mumbai attack. US diplomacy in the region... Boim Judgment Upheld: Charity Donations to Terrorist Groups IllegalBy Matthew LevittA federal appeals court in Chicago today upheld a $156 million judgment against several Palestinian charities accused of funding Hamas. A full history of the Boim case, covered extensively on this blog, is available here. In an earlier appeal the... Financial Setbacks for HamasBy Matthew LevittOver the past few weeks, Hamas's international financial support network suffered a series of setbacks, most notably the U.S. federal court conviction of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) and five of its leaders on charges of... Violence by Extremists in the Jewish Settler Movement: A Rising ChallengeBy Matthew LevittThirteen years after the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Israeli security officials are expressing heightened concern that a new wave of violent extremism among fringe elements in the Jewish settler movement threatens not only Palestinian civilians, but also Israeli... HLF VERDICT: GUILTY ON ALL COUNTSBy Matthew LevittThe message sent by the verdict in this case is clear: the United States will neither allow itself to be used as a cash-cow by terrorist groups raising money here under the guise of legitimate charitable activity nor will it... The Money Trail: Finding, Following and Freezing Terrorist FinancesBy Matthew LevittU.S. and international efforts to combat terrorist financing are a little understood—and often unappreciated—aspect of the global counterterrorism campaign. With this in mind, soon after rejoining The Washington Institute after serving in the Treasury Department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial... Latest in Iran Sanctions: No U-TurnBy Matthew LevittIn the first letter of its kind from an Iranian leader to an American president elect since the Iranian revolution, Iranian President Mahmoud Admedinejad congratulated President Elect Obama on his victory and called for an end to America's "war-oriented policies,... New FBI Powers: A Necessary Step for CounterterrorismBy Matthew LevittEarlier this month, the Department of Justice published the revised Attorney General Guidelines (AGG), which govern all FBI activities. This includes FBI activity involving international terrorism. The revised AGG, which will come into effect in early December 2008, will consolidate... Negotiating Under FireBy Matthew LevittOn October 3, 2008, Ghaith al-Omari and Dennis Ross joined me at a Policy Forum luncheon at The Washington Institute to honor the launch of my new book, Negotiating Under Fire. Mr. al-Omari, a former advisor to Palestinian president Mahmoud... Promoting Charity while Reducing Risks of Terror FinancingBy Matthew LevittThe following book review on the theme of Islamic charity apears in the Fall 2008 volume of Middle East Quarterly The Price of Fear: The Truth behind the Financial War on Terror by Ibrahim Warde (University of California Press, 2007);... Amman Warms to HamasBy Matthew LevittLast week, Jordan's minister of information publicly confirmed that senior Jordanian officials have been meeting with Hamas in an effort to "solve pending security issues." These talks represent a significant shift for Amman, since relations between Jordan and the Palestinian... Winning the War of IdeasBy Matthew LevittEngagement in the battle of ideas and strategic communication has long been the missing ingredient in the government-wide effort to combat terrorism. Now, with a restructured public diplomacy bureaucracy at the State Department and elsewhere in the interagency process, engaging... Electing Militant Groups is "Problematic"By Matthew LevittIn the current issue of Foreign Affairs, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has offered parting statement under the title “Rethinking the National Interest: American Realism for a New World.” The section on the Middle East includes an elusive passage that... Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Dr. Donald Kerr addresses The Washington InstituteBy Matthew LevittLast night, Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Dr. Donald Kerr addressed The Washington Institute for Near East Policy's 20th Annual Soref Symposium. In a lecture entitled "Emerging Threats, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Middle East," Dr. Kerr offered a... Highlighting al-Qaeda's Bankrupt IdeologyBy Matthew LevittAccording to recent U.S. government reports and senior U.S. counterterrorism officials, contesting al-Qaeda's message is no less important than capturing or killing the group's operatives. And as the administration prioritizes its agenda for the last eight months in office, recognizing... Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century: Implications for Homeland SecurityBy Matthew LevittIn the latest in its series of lectures by senior US counterterrorism officials, today The Washington Institute's Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence hosted the Department of Homeland Security's Undersecretary for Intelligence, Mr. Charlie Allen. Mr. Allen is the Department... Winning the War on Terror: Marking Success and Confronting ChallengesBy Matthew LevittOn April 23, 2008, Deputy National Security Advisor Juan Zarate addressed The Washington Institute where he laid out the administration's strategy, successess and issues requiring an ongoing and long term commitment. His full comments are available here.... Al-Qaida's Finances: Evidence of Organizational Decline?By Matthew LevittThe latest issue of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point's excellent online journal, CTC Sentinel, was released today, inlcuding an article in which I present a snapshot of al Qaeda's continuing ability to raise funds through traditional methods, even... Legitimizing Hamas: Carter's Visit Sends the Wrong MessageBy Matthew LevittYesterday, former President Jimmy Carter embraced West Bank Hamas leader Nasser Shaer, and today he is scheduled to meet Mahmoud Zahar, an avowedly militant Hamas leader from Gaza, in Egypt. The parade of Hamas meetings concludes tomorrow, with the former... Globalized jihad, then (1993) and nowBy Matthew LevittFifteen years from now, when classified documents produced today begin to be declassified, we will surely look back with some discomfort and see just how far off some of our judgments were when written in 2008. Such is the nature... MEK Deserves to be BannedBy Matthew LevittA recent posting for Middle East Strategy at Harvard (MESH) argues for the delisting of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or NCRI). I disagree. True, the MEK has provided some very useful intelligence on Iran’s nuclear program, but we lose... AQI Facilitation Networks Still Active in SyriaBy Matthew LevittIn its latest effort to target al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) financial and logistical networks operating out of Syria, the Treasury Department designated today four members of a key terrorist facilitation network. Such facilitation networks have long operated out of... Hamas in the spotlightBy Matthew LevittAs I wrote today for Middle East Strategy at Harvard (MESH), this week’s news placed Hamas in the spotlight, with press coverage of key Hamas activity in the West Bank, Egypt and Jordan. While Hamas suffered significant setbacks at the... Timely Reminder of Iranian Support for TerrorismBy Matthew LevittOver the past several years, Iran's nuclear activities have commanded the attention of the international community. But the recent assassination of Hizballah foreign operations chief Imad Mughniyeh is a reminder that Iran has been -- and continues to be --... Treasury Targets Illicit Financial Underpinnings of Assad RegimeBy Matthew LevittJust a week after the President signed Executive Order 13460, the Treasury Department used this new authority to designate Rami Makhluf - President Bashar al-Assad's cousin - for benefiting from official Syrian corruption. Targeting the kelptocratic nature of the regime... Who Was Imad Mughniyeh?By Matthew LevittYesterday's assassination of arch-terrorist Imad Mughniyeh was welcome news in Washington, Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv, and, albeit quietly, Beirut and Baghdad. For Hizballah and Damascus, however, the loss of Mughniyeh -- who was a brilliant military tactician, a key contact... Why Following the Money Leads to TerroristsBy Matthew LevittThe UN has just added three financiers to its terrorism list for providing financial support to al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. This would be heartening news but for the fact that it took the UN more than a year to... Are we Winning the Financial War on Terror?By Matthew LevittCombating terror finance is often hailed as one of the true successes in the “war on terror.” But is it? Even after six years of following and freezing terrorists’ funds, American and European officials warn Al Qaeda still has both... GAO Misleads on Iran SanctionsBy Matthew LevittIn a piece I wrote for the Middle East Strategy at Harvard (MESH), I argue that the recent GAO report on Iran sanctions misses the point: There are no foolproof metrics by which to measure the impact of sanctions, whether... Dutch Report: Radical Dawa in TransitionBy Matthew LevittIn the latest in an excellent series of reports published by the Dutch General intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), Dutch intelligence reports on the rise of "Radical Dawa in Transition: Islamic Neoradicalism in the Netherlands." The report warns against "absolutist... Prosecuting Terrorism beyond 'Material Support'By Matthew LevittOn January 11, 2008, a Boston federal court convicted Emadeddin Muntasser, Samir Almonla, and Muhammad Mubayid of conspiring to defraud and conceal information from the U.S. government. Fellow CTB contributor and Evan Kohlman and I both served as expert witnesses... Iran's "pay-for-performance" state sponsorshipBy Matthew LevittEarlier today the Treasury Department designated three Iran-based individuals and a Syria-based television station and its Syria-based owner for fueling the Iraqi insurgency (under E.O 13438). The designations are significant on several levels, including the targeting of an Iranian IRGC... The Clock Ticks: Sanction Iran NowBy Matthew LevittA version of this article appeared in German in today's Financial Times Deutschland under the title, "Die Uhr Tickt." The latest U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran's nuclear intentions and capabilities has been the subject of much analysis, most... Credibly Prosecuting Terror FinanceBy Matthew LevittIn closing arguments contesting the federal prosecution of the Holy Land Foundation and five of its former officials, a defense attorney representing Holy Land CEO Shukri Abu Baker argued that the government's prosecution was inherently deceptive and based on... Contending with Iran's Nuclear Intentions and CapabilitiesBy Matthew LevittMy thoughts on the new Iran NIE, as they appear in today's San Francisco Chronicle: This week, the U.S. intelligence community released to Capitol Hill the unclassified key judgments of its latest National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran's nuclear intentions... Iran's Nuclear Intentions and CapabilitiesBy Matthew LevittToday, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released the unclassified key judgments of a new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran’s nuclear intentions and capabilities. The new NIE updates the intelligence community’s understanding of Iran’s capabilities since... Holy Land Mistrial: Judging a Designated Terrorist EntityBy Matthew LevittRecently, the Palestinian Authority (PA) shut down several Islamic charity committees in the West Bank, stating that Hamas was using them as a means to transfer funds to the group's activists there. Meanwhile, on October 22, the U.S. federal trial... Sentence in Chicago Hamas TrialBy Matthew LevittAbdulhalim Ashqar, who was convicted of obstruction of justice and criminal comtempt in a Hamas-related trial in Chicago earlier this year, was sentenced today to 135 months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. The sentence was arrived at through application of... Zakat-Jihad ActivismBy Matthew LevittA new article in Military Review, written by a Belgian military officer, offers important insights into what the author describes as zakat-jihad activism. That is, a means by which groups like Hamas, Hezbollah or Iraqi insurgents “generates popular support by... Hezbollah Financing Through Criminal ActivityBy Matthew LevittA two-year counterterrorism and drug investigation culminated earlier this week with the arrest of a dozen individuals in Los Angeles. Authorities reportedly seized 30 kilograms of cocaine and counterfeit merchandise valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. According to the... Homegrown Radicalism in the United StatesBy Matthew LevittMore than six years after 9/11, it is clear the US still faces an serious terrorist threat. Recent reports portray a disturbing picture: The latest National Intelligence Estimate on the terrorist threat to the US homeland describes a resurgent al... Iran Sanctions: Can they be Effective?By Matthew LevittToday, the State and Treasury Departments announced a new package of sweeping unilateral sanctions targeting multiple entities in Iran, including three banks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Qods Force, the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics,... A Price for Iran’s Deceptive Financial ConductBy Matthew LevittToday the Treasury and State Departments announced sweeping designations of Iranian entities and individuals involved in proliferation and terrorist activities. Though unilateral, the designations will effectively cut the affected parties off from the international financial system. Publicly identified as pariahs,... Iran Sanctions Debate, Part 3By Matthew LevittCFR Debate: Can Sanctions Be Effective in Halting Iran's Nuclear Program? This is the third and final post for this debate, posted October 18. The full debate can be accessed here. Weigh in on this debate by emailing the editors... Iran Sanctions Debate, Part 2By Matthew LevittCFR Debate: Can Sanctions Be Effective in Halting Iran's Nuclear Program? This is the second of three posts for this debate. My first post is available here. The full debate can be accessed here. Weigh in on this debate by... Debate: Can Sanctions Be Effective in Halting Iran's Nuclear Program?By Matthew LevittThis week I am participating in a week-long online debate for the Council on Foreign Relations on the question "Can Sanctions Be Effective in Halting Iran's Nuclear Program?" I will post my three contributions as they go live, and encourage... Chilling EffectBy Matthew LevittScholars beware: A wave of libel lawsuits threatens to stifle open and honest discussion of issues related to the financing of terrorism. Instead of competing on the battlefield of ideas, where facts speak louder than rhetoric, several individuals and organizations... Could Hamas Target the West?By Matthew LevittThe Holy Land Foundation case has refocused attention on the presence and activities of Hamas in the United States. That activity has focused on raising funds and engaging in propaganda activities, but are there any conditions under which Hamas could... The Reemergence of Hizballah in TurkeyBy Matthew LevittWith secularism, PKK terrorism, and other Turkish issues becoming international concerns in recent months, a dangerous Islamist trend has been overlooked: radical groups inspired more by the revolutionary ideology of Iran than domestic issues such as Kurdish nationalism are staking... Six Years after September 11: A 9-11 Commission Progress ReportBy Matthew LevittSix years after September 11, terrorist attacks still threaten Americans. Although Washington has carried out major reforms to improve its counterterrorism measures, Mike Hurley arges there is a critical lack of urgency on several fronts. And while the United States... Yassin al-Qadi: the Hamas ConnectionBy Matthew LevittMy colleagues Doug Farah and Victor Comras have posted excellent analyses of Yassin al-Qadi on these pages. To further flesh out Qadi's financing activities here in the United States, consider some of the material that came out of the federal... Better Late than Never: Keeping USAID Funds out of Terrorist HandsBy Matthew LevittForeign aid is an important and effective tool for buttressing allies, alleviating poverty and suffering, supporting key foreign policy objectives, and promoting the image and ideals of the United States abroad. Indeed, as its own website attests, the U.S. Agency... Designating the IRGCBy Matthew LevittThe U.S. government is preparing to designate the IRGC, either as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) or under the authority of Executive Order 13224. This designation is intended in part to counteract the group’s growing involvement in a range of... Undercutting a Culture of Militancy: Designating Hamas CharitiesBy Matthew LevittYesterday, the U.S. Treasury Department designated as a terrorist organization one of the largest Hamas charities in Gaza, the al-Salah Society, along with its director, Ahmed al-Kurd, a well-known Hamas activist. The organization was outlawed by Israel in 2002 and... Designated Hamas Charity Listed at 1993 Phili MeetingBy Matthew LevittThe Treasury designated a key Hamas charity and its director today, adding the al-Salah Society and Ahmed al-Kurd to OFAC's SDGT list. According to new information released by the Treasury Department, "The Al-Salah Society supported Hamas-affiliated combatants during the first... Hamas and Islamic Jihad ClashBy Matthew LevittAccording to press reports, the day after a Hamas militant was killed by a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Hamas responded by killing two militants (one from Islamic Jihad and another from Fatah) and wounding three Islamic Jihad militants.... Dangerous Partners: Targeting the Iran-Hizballah AllianceBy Matthew LevittJuly 18 marked the thirteenth anniversary of Argentina's deadliest terrorist attack: a 1994 car bombing carried out by Hizballah at Iran's behest. The attack targeted the Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA), a Jewish community organization, killing 85 and wounding more... Hamas's Hidden EconomyBy Matthew LevittMilitary insurrections cost money. To take over the Gaza Strip last month, Hamas had to pay salaries, procure weapons, manufacture rockets, buy help from local crime families, bribe opponents, print leaflets and banners, produce media propaganda and even order up... Make Iran Feel the PainBy Matthew LevittThe international community, led by the U.S. and the U.K., is now developing and debating new economic sanctions against Iran. This third round will be pivotal -- either by significantly increasing the cost to Iran of continuing to engage in... Gaza: The Next Terrorist Safe Haven?By Matthew LevittCould Hamas members in the Gaza Strip join ranks with the global jihadist movement led by al-Qaeda? There is merit to this question, given the recent Hamas takeover of the territory and al-Qaeda's call for Muslims around the world to... The War of Words between Hamas and al-QaedaBy Matthew LevittOn June 14, Hamas evicted Fatah security forces from the Gaza Strip, establishing full control over the territory. Eleven days later, al-Qaeda second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri issued a statement calling on Muslims to support Hamas fighters -- the latest in an... U.S. Efforts against Terrorism Financing: A View from the Private SectorBy Matthew LevittOn June 15, 2007, Robert Werner addressed The Washington Institute's Policy Forum seminar series. Managing director of Merrill Lynch's Monetary and Financial Control Group since December 2006, he previously served as director of the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network... Banning Hizbollah in Europe (prepared statement)By Matthew LevittI submitted written testimony for today's hearing before the Europe Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. My colleague Michael Jacobson testified at the hearing. Introduction Pressing our European allies to add Hezbollah to the European Union (EU)'s terrorism list... Palestine's Party of GodBy Matthew LevittAs the world watches the Hamas coup in Gaza unfold, it is worth considering that Hamas's emulation of the Hezbollah was not unexpected. Consider the following, from the concluding section of my book HAMAS: Politics, Charity and Terrorism in the... Global Anti-Terrorism Financing Group Challenged by Syria's ApplicationBy Matthew LevittThis week, the Egmont Group -- an international body of more than 100 national financial intelligence units (FIUs) -- is holding its annual plenary session and working group meetings in Bermuda. One of the issues on the agenda is whether... How Nicolas Sarkozy could destroy HezbollahBy Matthew LevittIn today's The New Republic Online, Mike Jacobson and I argue that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is uniquely positioned to lead the way forward toward a European Union designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist group. Here's why: The United States... The Role of Finance in Combating National Security ThreatsBy Matthew LevittLast night, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Robert M. Kimmitt addressed the Washington Institute for Near East Policy at its annual Soref Symposium where he spoke on the role of finance in combatting national security threats. The full text of... Financial Measures Targeting IranBy Matthew LevittA couple of weeks ago I spent a few days in Brussels discussing the strategy of applying targeted financial measures against Iran. I debated a senior EU official on the matter (where there was much more agreement than debate) and... Breaking the Terror Finance CodeBy Matthew LevittAmong the many tools available to the US government and our international partners to combat terror financing, leveraging financial intelligence is often overlooked by the public and the press. Buried deep in the U.S. State Department's 335-page report on terrorism... Brazilian Counterterrorism EffortsBy Matthew LevittIn March, Brazilian authorities drafted a new antiterrorism law instituting stiff penalties for a variety of violent acts committed by both individuals and organizations. The new legislation, expected to pass Brazil's congress in a modified form, will likely be used... Arab States' Efforts to Combat Terrorism FinancingBy Matthew LevittOn April 1-5, the seventeen Arab members of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENA FATF) met in Jordan to discuss terrorism financing and money laundering in the region. Although the task force's record to date... Iran's Financial Intelligence Unit: Less than Meets the EyeBy Matthew LevittMichael Jacobson writes an interesting piece today about the status of FIUs in Iran and the greater Middle East: An Iranian Financial Intelligence Unit: Less than Meets the Eye By Michael Jacobson April 2, 2007 The State Department's International Narcotics... Michael Jacobson in the Baltimore Sun: Keep terror-fighting tools, but explain them betterBy Matthew LevittMichael Jacobson's latest op-ed about the FBI's counterterror tools and the Patriot Act appeared in today's Baltimore Sun. From the Baltimore Sun Keep terror-fighting tools, but explain them better By Michael Jacobson March 30, 2007 In response to recent revelations... Combating Terrorist Financing in Europe: Gradual ProgressBy Matthew LevittMichael Jacobson joined the Washington Institute last week from the U.S. Department of Treasury, where he served as senior advisor in the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. Jacobson was previously a counsel for the 9/11 Commission and the 9/11... Pulling Tehran's Purse StingsBy Matthew LevittHow can the United States and the international community raise the costs for Iran's continued defiance of the international community over suspension of its uranium enrichment program? What levers are likely to feed on domestic discontent and induce the regime... BDA's Blind Eye and Deceptive PracticesBy Matthew LevittJust a couple of days ago the International Herald Tribune (IHT) reported that Macanese authorities had joined managers of Banco Delta Asia (BDA) in an effort to convince U.S. Treasury officials not to finalize its rule against BDA under... Russia's Hamas ProblemBy Matthew LevittIn an article that came out today in the Weekly Standard I highlight Moscow's strange relationship with Hamas. Russia has banned the Muslim Brotherhood, but not Hamas -- though Hamas openly identifies itself as the Palestinian wing of the Brotherhood.... US-Designated Hamas Front Gets Symbolic Win in FranceBy Matthew LevittThis week a French court ordered the Wiesenthal Center’s Director for International Relations in Paris, Dr. Shimon Samuel, to pay a symbolic one Euro fine in a defamation suit brought by a U.S.-designated Hamas front organization. The Comité de Bienfaisance... Follow the Money: Challenges and Opportunities in the Campaign to Combat Terrorism FinancingBy Matthew LevittThe U.S. government's much-discussed but little-understood effort to combat terrorism financing faces both challenges and opportunities. Terrorist groups continue to evolve, proactively working to evade existing sanctions and minimize the impact of future ones. Meanwhile, interagency efforts are being called... Jim Freis Named FinCEN DirectorBy Matthew LevittToday, Jim Freis was named Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), the U.S. Treasury Department bureau in charge of gathering and analyzing information about financial transactions to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Jim currently serves as the... Cairo Can and Should Seize Hamas FundsBy Matthew LevittOver the past year Hamas leaders have smuggled cash into Gaza across the Egyptian border on several occasions in an attempt to circumvent the existing sanctions barring financial transactions with Hamas or the Hamas led Palestinian government. * In May... Shutting Hezbollah's "Construction Jihad"By Matthew LevittOn February 20, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Jihad al-Bina, Hizballah’s construction company in Lebanon, effectively shutting the terrorist group’s firm out of the international financial system. While the designation will not take effect at the United Nations—sanctions... How to Sanction Iran: Target the IRGCBy Matthew LevittThe most robust and effective non-military tool available to the international community in its effort to deal with Iran is to apply Resolution 1737 in full – targeting the IRGC. As I argue in an OpEd published in today’s Washington... Time for Real TF “Arrests” in Saudi ArabiaBy Matthew LevittThe short-lived excitement over recent reports that Saudi officials arrested 10 individuals said to be involved in financing terrorism outside the Kingdom quickly dissipated when the defendant’s lawyers identified them as political dissidents and human rights groups questioned the arrests.... New Study on Terrorism in North AfricaBy Matthew LevittIn August 2006, al-Qaeda's second-in-command announced a new alliance with the Algeria-based Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), with the stated aim of becoming a "thorn in the neck" of America and the West. This radical network -- which... Acquitals in Hamas TrialBy Matthew LevittAfter 14 days of deliberation, a Chicago jury acquited Mohamed Salah and Abdelhalim Ashqar of charges they were involved in a racketeering conspiracy by financing and supporting Hamas terrorism. The two were accused of laundering funds and providing recruits for... DEBUNKING THE PARADIGM OF INEXPENSIVE TERRORISMBy Matthew LevittAn increasingly accepted argument holds that terrorism has become a cheap enterprise. Louise Richardson, executive dean of the Radcliff Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, made just that case while testifying before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and... Hamas HQ Office in Saudi ArabiaBy Matthew LevittIsraeli authorities announced today the arrest of an Israeli-Arab Hamas activist who played central militant, political and financing roles for the group in coordination with a "Hamas command in Saudi Arabia." Until he was arrested last month, Yakub Muhamad Yakub... Hamas KidnappingBy Matthew LevittIsraeli security forces announced today that a West Bank Hamas cell abducted and killed an Israeli businessman from the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Ze'ev. After several days of searching, Sasson Nuriel's body was found this morning in an industrial... Saudis Soliciting Funds for Jihad, Cont'dBy Matthew LevittAndy's blog earlier today presents very disturbing evidence that despite some positive measures Saudi officials still have far to go when it comes to controlling the funding and promotion of radical Islamic extremism within the Kingdom. But speaking at the... Latest Evidence Hizballah Funds Palestinian TerroristsBy Matthew LevittIn the first half of 2004 Israeli intelligence reported that Hizballah's fingerprint was present on 80 percent of terrorist attacks emanating from the West Bank. By then a series of arrested Fatah operatives conceded that Hizballah was funding nearly all... To Defeat Hamas' Terror, Compete with Hamas' CharityBy Matthew LevittNow that Israel has disengaged from the Gaza Strip and four settlements from the northern West Bank, the international community has a clear interest in doing all it can to see that the post-withdrawal security situation remains stable so that... Netherlands: no distinction between Hezbollah political and terror branchesBy Matthew LevittThe Netherlands just issued the English version of its 2004 annual report on intelligence, a copy of which may be found here. Note what the report has to say about Hezbollah: "Investigations have shown that Hezbollahs terrorist wing, the Hezbollah... Levitt in WSJ Europe: No Excuse for TerrorBy Matthew LevittAccording to British diplomats, Britain is actively pressing the United Nations to adopt a "no excuses" definition of terrorism and an explicit and unconditional condemnation of all acts of terror. The push for such a definition was given new impetus... THE NEW LEBANON: DEMOCRATIC REFORM AND STATE SPONSORSHIPBy Matthew LevittThe appointment of a Hizballah member as a minister in the new cabinet raises anew the question of Lebanon's actions regarding terrorism. Lebanese voters can now elect anyone they wish, and the government can fill its cabinet as it sees... PIJ Suicide Bomber Targets Mall, and "Tahdiya"By Matthew LevittOn the evening of Tuesday, July 12, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the main entrance to the Hasharon Mall in Netanya, killing three women and wounding twenty four others. Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack. The... Outgoing Lebanese PM Wounded in BombingBy Matthew LevittDriving through a Christian neighborhood in north Beirut, outgoing Lebanese Prime Minister (and Defense Minister) Elias Murr was wounded in a bombing that targeted his convoy killing at least 2 and wounding 12. Murr, a pro-Syrian politician in his own... Terror in London, Echoes of Madrid?By Matthew LevittJust one day after London won its bit to host the 2012 Olympic Games, and the morning that world leaders gathered to begin the G-8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, terrorist attacks targeting both the Underground train system and a... Treasury Designates Senior Syrian OfficialsBy Matthew LevittThe U.S. Treasury Department designated two senior Syrian officials "Specially Designated Nationals" (SDN) today under Executive Order 13338 for directing Syria's military and security presence in Lebanon and/or contributing to Syria's support for terrorism. The designations of Ghazi Kanaan, the... Hezbollah drug ring broken up in EcuadorBy Matthew LevittOne June 21, 2005 Ecuadorian police announced their success in breaking up an international drug trafficking ring led by a Lebanese restaurant owner, Rady Zaiter, residing in Quito, Ecuador. According to the police report, evidence confirms the relationship between... Theology of "Economic Jihad" Continues to Drive Fundraising for TerrorBy Matthew LevittOn 4 May 2005, the US Department of the Treasury designated its 400th terrorist or terror financier. Such blocking measures are effective counter-terrorism tools, freezing funds and shutting key nodes in the matrix of terror financing. For example, they force... Treasury Designates PIJ CharityBy Matthew LevittTreasury Designates PIJ Charity The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated the Elehssan Society as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity yesterday, revealing that the society served as a charitable front for Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). "Elehssan masquerades as a... Abu Faraj al-Libbi CapturedBy Matthew LevittToday, Pakistani authorities announced the capture of the third-ranking leader of al-Qaeda, a native Libyan named Abu Faraj al-Libbi (alias Dr. Taufeeq). Al-Libbi, along with five other foreign al-Qaeda operatives, was captured following a shootout in the village of Fatami... Hiyari Designation Highlights Zarqawi's Jordanian Support NetworkBy Matthew LevittToday's designation of Bilal Hiyari as a terror financier supporting Abu Musab al Zarqawi should not surprise. Hiyari's activities have long been known, as have Zarqawi's operational and logistical activities in his home country, Jordan. For a detailed analysis of... Palestinian Terrorists Going Political?By Matthew LevittOn March 28, Hamas formally announced they would join the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The next day, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members attended the PLOs executive committee meeting in a move that could lead to their eventual entering the organization.... Annan Proposes International Definition of TerrorismBy Matthew LevittAn indispensable part of UN secretary-general Kofi Annans recent report In Larger Freedom, which outlines much needed recommendations for the structure of the United Nations, was the call for an international definition of terrorism that encompasses all attacks on civilians.... "Constructive Instability" in Lebanon and SyriaBy Matthew LevittThe Bush Administrations policy of constructive instability in the Middle East is facing a critical juncture in Lebanon. Taking advantage of a rare confluence of events and international interests, President George W. Bush has focused U.S. efforts on one plank... EU brands Hizballah "terrorist" groupBy Matthew LevittThe European Union Parliament passed a resolution today branding Hizballah as a terrorist group and affirming that the EU Council should take all necessary steps to curtail terrorist activities undertaken by Hizballah. While a step short of adding the group... PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY MINISTER OF ECONOMY TIED TO HAMAS?By Matthew LevittOn February 24, 2005, the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) approved the new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei. Often described as technocratic and progressive, the cabinet is widely seen as fitting the Bush administration's requirement of being "untainted by... Terror from TehranBy Matthew LevittU.S. intelligence chiefs appearing before Congress last week in their annual statements on the state of the threat reiterated, as they have for many years, that Iran is the foremost state sponsor of terror. Indeed, the threat posed by Iranian-sponsored... Touching the Hezbollah NerveBy Matthew LevittLast week I wrote a Policywatch for The Washington Institute calling for the EU to ban Hezbollah (see Policywatch #958, Ban Hizballah in Europe). In response, Jihad al-Khazen, a senior editor and author of an opinion column with the Arabic... COUNTERTERRORISM AND THE BUSH-EU MEETINGBy Matthew LevittPresident Bush will visit Brussels next week and meet with leaders of the European Union (EU). While the Iranian nuclear program and the war in Iraq will undoubtedly be the top items on the agenda, counterterrorism is also certain to... Testimony: Iranian State Sponsorship of TerrorBy Matthew LevittCIA officials regularly describe Iran as the foremost state sponsor of terror. President Bush reaffirmed this assessment in his recent State of the Union address, saying, "Today, Iran remains the world's primary state sponsor of terror. And earlier this month,... Ban Hezbollah in EuropeBy Matthew LevittThe recent assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri in a massive car bombing in downtown Beirut highlights the need for increased attention to terrorism in Lebanon. Today, European Union (EU) officials have a perfect opportunity to do so... PA Unfreezes Hamas FundsBy Matthew LevittUndersecretary of the Treasury Stuart Levey, who heads Treasury's Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, is in the Middle East pressing for enhanced efforts to stem terrorist financing. Despite his recent meetings with Palestinian officials on the need to limit... PA Warns of Hezbollah ThreatsBy Matthew LevittWhile U.S. and Israeli authorities have been warning of Hezbollah's increasing support for Palestinian terrorist groups for some time, the issue is suddenly getting serious attention because the Palestinians now concur. "We know that Hizballah has been trying to recruit... Hamas and Islamic Jihad Clash over 'Media Jihad'By Matthew LevittTraditionally, the relationship between Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has vacillated between tense rivalry and close cooperation. Over the past four years rivalry gave way to cooperation, as the two groups coordinated closely with each otherand with other Palestinian... Danish Citizen Charged with Spying for HezbollahBy Matthew LevittOn February 2, Iyad al-Shua, a Danish citizen of Lebanese descent, was charged in an Israeli court with spying for Lebanese Hezbollah. The indictment stated that al-Shua visited and filmed military installations in northern Israel and attempted to recruit Iraeli... Hezbollah and the Antiglobalization MovementBy Matthew LevittThe World Social Forum (WSF) is currently (January 2631) convening a Global Anti-War Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Among the issues to be addressed are coordinating actions across borders, determining which tactics to use, finding ways of penalizing countries that... Hamas Fronts Active in EuropeBy Matthew LevittRecently released documents siezed from the West Bank offices of charities and other organizations affiliated with Hamas highlight the central role Western front organizations play in financing Hamas. While some documents refer to otherwise innocuous donations such as food packages... Top Zarqawi Lieutenant CapturedBy Matthew LevittAs noted below, the interim Iraqi government announced on Monday that Sami Muhammad Al Said al-Ja'af (aka Abu Umar al-Kurdi) was arrested in Baghdad on January 15th. He confessed to police that he was responsible for 75% of the car... Washington Institute Launches New WebsiteBy Matthew LevittThe Washington Institute launched its new website today, including sections dedicated to its Terrorism Studies Program, Iraq, Iran, Syria, the Gulf, Arab-Israeli peace, Turkish Studies, and a variety of other programs related to the Middle East. It includes other useful... Northern Leader of Islamic Movement in Israel Sentenced for Supporting TerrorBy Matthew LevittEarlier today the Haifa Magistrate Court sentenced Northern Islamic Movement leader Sheikh Raed Salah to three and a half years imprisonment (including three years of suspended sentence) in a plea agreement. Four other senior Islamic movement members, who together with... 2004 Shin Bet Terrorism ReportBy Matthew LevittThe Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency, ISA) recently published its "2004 Terrorism Data" report. Highlights include: * A sharp drop in successful attacks (attributed to disruptions and the West Bank barrier/fence) * No change in attempted attacks (terrorist motivation remains... IS THE PKK STILL A THREAT?By Matthew LevittOn December 31, 2004, terrorists belonging to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a group on the U.S. State Department's Foreign Terror Organizations (FTO) list, ambushed Turkish security officers in the Sirnak province in southeastern Turkey, near the Iraqi border, wounding... Defining TerrorismBy Matthew LevittOn December 4, 2004, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges, and Change released a report calling for several reforms to help the UN provide increased security for member nations. One of the chief recommendations identified... German Court Calls Hezbollah a Terrorist OrganizationBy Matthew LevittAgence France Presse (AFP) reported yesterday that a German court upheld a lower court's deportation order against a Hezbollah representative who had lived in Germany for some 20 years. The Dusseldorf court denied the Hezbollah member a visa saying he... |