Many organizations, individuals, and governments are taking up arms against extremism. The following reports are ones we believe bring unique value to the conversation. If you would like us to share your work or have other suggestions for research we should share with the counterextremism community, please contact us via the Join the Conversation Page<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n December 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n Shawn Snow, \u201cUS commandos carry out thousands of operations in Afghanistan<\/a>,\u201d Military Times.<\/em> December 16, 2017.\u00a0U.S.<\/em> commandos have participated in or advised more than 2,000 ground operations in <\/em>Afghanistan<\/em> against terrorist organizations in the region. Importantly, this indicates that Afghan forces only independently conducted 17 percent of their operations. <\/em><\/p>\n Tara Copp, \u201cMattis: Pressure on Iran will be diplomatic, not military<\/a>,\u201d Military Times<\/em>. December 16, 2017.\u00a0The reconstruction of missile parts gathered after the attempted missile attack on <\/em>Saudi Arabia<\/em> earlier this year confirms Iranian participation in <\/em>Yemen<\/em>\u2019s civil war through the arming of the Houthi rebels. Secretary of Defense Mattis has indicated that the <\/em>U.S.<\/em> response to this violation of the U.N. resolution supporting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will be diplomatic rather than military at this time. <\/em><\/p>\n James Kitfield, \u201cWhat Will \u2018Actually Solve\u2019 Terrorism Problem?<\/a>\u201d Breaking Defense. <\/em>December 15, 2017.\u00a0The elimination of top leadership in terrorist organizations, while giving the illusion of progress, has proved ineffective at eliminating the root causes of terrorism. Though helpful in stalling these groups, decapitation of senior leadership must be paired with a strategy that “break[s] the chain of radicalization.”<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cArms supplied by U.S., Saudi ended up with Islamic State, researchers say<\/a>,\u201d Reuters.<\/em> December 14, 2017.\u00a0Conflict Armament Research (CAR) has determined that some of the weapons provided by the <\/em>United States<\/em> and <\/em>Saudi Arabia<\/em> to Syrian opposition groups are now in <\/em>ISIS<\/em> possession. CAR\u2019s report reveals the complexity of providing support in conflicts in which party and faction lines are more fluid than most Western conflicts. <\/em><\/p>\n Bennett Seftel, \u201cPakistan\u2019s Military: The Fire Brigade and the Arsonist<\/a>,\u201d The Cipher Brief<\/em>. December 14, 2017.\u00a0The relationship between the United States and Pakistan remains complicated as, for the sake of expedience, the United States works with Pakistan\u2019s military and ISI, which undermines the civilian government with which the U.S. shares more interests. Pakistan\u2019s military both claims to support U.S. efforts against the Taliban and Haqqani networks in Afghanistan while providing aid to those same organizations. <\/em><\/p>\n Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss, \u201cShabaab targets Somali police academy in suicide attack<\/a>,\u201d FDD\u2019s Long War Journal<\/em>. December 14, 2017.\u00a0In their first major attack since mid-November, Shabaab, al-Qaeda\u2019s branch in <\/em>Somalia<\/em>, killed at least 18 people in a suicide bombing at a police academy in <\/em>Mogadishu<\/em>. The continued attacks by Shabaab in the region indicate the group\u2019s resurgence in the region over the past year.<\/em><\/p>\n Bill Gertz, \u201cDire Warning: U.S. military \u2018poorly structured,\u2019 vulnerable to China, Russia threats<\/a>,\u201d The Washington Times<\/em>. December 13, 2017.\u00a0A Rand Corporation study warns that the <\/em>United States<\/em> may not be equipped to win wars against any of its five major threats: <\/em>China<\/em>, <\/em>Russia<\/em>, <\/em>North Korea<\/em>, <\/em>Iran<\/em>, or Islamist terrorist groups. <\/em><\/p>\n Bobby Anderson, \u201cPolitical Islam, Intolerance, and the IS Threat in Indonesia<\/a>,\u201d Lowy Institute: the interpreter.<\/em> December 13, 2017.\u00a0Although political Islam and the enforcement of Sharia law is spreading throughout <\/em>Indonesia<\/em>, <\/em>Anderson<\/em> argues that it is unlikely that the region will see an IS-style scenario as occurred in places like Raqqa in <\/em>Syria<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n Brian Glyn Williams, \u201cAiqtihams (Whirlwinds)<\/a>,\u201d RealClear Defense. <\/em>December 13, 2017.\u00a0Williams provides a comprehensive overview of the three-year fight against <\/em>ISIS<\/em> and then moves to detail the three main threats that the organization now poses, following its defeat in <\/em>Iraq, arguing\u00a0<\/em>that the organization may be more difficult to combat now, as U.S. counterterrorism will now have to face a dangerous ideology rather than a physical target.<\/em><\/p>\n Caleb Weiss, \u201cTunisian al Qaeda wing claims IED ambush<\/a>,\u201d FDD\u2019s Long War Journal<\/em>. December 13, 2017.\u00a0Al-Qaeda in the Islamic <\/em>Maghreb<\/em>\u2019s (AQIM) first attack since April of this year included the detonating of an IED in the <\/em>Mount<\/em> Chaambi<\/em> region and claims that the attack killed six members of the Tunisian Armed Forces. The attack signals that, despite the organization\u2019s setbacks this year, AQIM is still active in the region.<\/em><\/p>\n Bill Roggio and Alexandra Gutowski, \u201cAFRICOM strike halts Shabaab car bomb attack<\/a>,\u201d FDD\u2019S Long War Journal<\/em>. December 12, 2017.\u00a0U.S.<\/em> forces destroyed a suicide car bomb intended to target <\/em>Mogadishu<\/em>. The United States continues to ramp up its efforts against Shabaab in Somalia, as the organization has become increasingly dangerous in the past year.<\/em><\/p>\n Charlie Savage and Eric Schmitt, \u201cPentagon Foresees at Least Two More Years of Combat in Somalia<\/a>,\u201d The New York Times<\/em>. December 10, 2017.\u00a0The Pentagon presented a two-year operational plan for counterterrorism action in <\/em>Somalia<\/em>, that would instate a two-year, rather than 12 month, review that would be conducted internally, rather than with involvement from other agencies. The proposal indicates that the United States does not foresee a quick end to engagement in the region. <\/em><\/p>\n Habib Toumi, \u201cIran remains major terrorism sponsor in the region<\/a>,\u201d Gulf News<\/em>. December 10, 2017.\u00a0Speaking at the 2017 <\/em>Manama<\/em> Dialogue<\/em>, <\/em>Bahrain<\/em>\u2019s Foreign Minister indicated that <\/em>Iran<\/em> sponsored terrorism throughout the region and as far away as <\/em>West Africa<\/em> and <\/em>Latin America<\/em>. In the dialogue\u2019s opening remarks, Sir John Jenkins argued that <\/em>Iran<\/em>\u2019s sponsorship of terrorism is the most significant development in the <\/em>Middle East<\/em> in the past thirty years. <\/em><\/p>\n Maher Chmaytelli and Ahmed Aboulenein, \u201cIraq declares final victory over Islamic State<\/a>,\u201d Reuters<\/em>. December 9, 2017.\u00a0Iraq<\/em>\u2019s Prime Minister declared victory over <\/em>ISIS<\/em> two days following <\/em>Russia<\/em>\u2019s declaration of the defeat of <\/em>ISIS<\/em> in <\/em>Syria<\/em>. Despite celebrating victory, the prime minister emphasized vigilance in the face of guerrilla warfare and revealed that the disarming of the PMF forces and the semi-autonomous Kurdish state remain issues of concern for Iraq\u2019s government.<\/em><\/p>\n Sam Wilkins, \u201cFrom Security to Reconciliation: How Nigeria Can Win Its Bloody War with Boko Haram<\/a>,\u201d War on the Rocks<\/em>. December 8, 2017.\u00a0Through a review of Alexander Thurston\u2019s, Boko Haram: The History of an African Jihadist Movement<\/u>, Wilkins argues that the <\/em>United States<\/em> must commit to assisting <\/em>Nigeria<\/em>\u2019s military in achieving an improved security environment. Only in doing so can the Nigerian government hope to defeat Boko Haram and create both \u201cfollow-through\u201d governance and protection for populations vulnerable to jihadist propaganda. <\/em><\/p>\n Bill Roggio and Alexandra Gutowski, \u201cUS strikes AQAP in Yemen\u2019s Bayda<\/a>,\u201d FDD\u2019s Long War Journal<\/em>. December 8, 2017.\u00a0U.S.<\/em> Central Command (CENTCOM) released some details concerning strikes against AQAP and ISIS in <\/em>Yemen<\/em> in 2017. CENTCOM has launched more than 120 strikes against the terrorist organizations in Yemen, more than strikes against the groups in the region for the past three years combined. This indicates the rise of terrorism within <\/em>Yemen<\/em> as the conflict continues to undergo a devastating civil war. <\/em><\/p>\n Thomas Joscelyn, \u201cAl Qaeda seeks to incite violence after US recognizes Jerusalem as Israel\u2019s capital<\/a>,\u201d FDD\u2019s Long War Journal<\/em>. December 8, 2017.\u00a0Al-Qaeda and several of its branches have released statements inciting violence after Trump\u2019s announcement concerning the move of the <\/em>US<\/em> embassy from Tel Aviv to <\/em>Jerusalem<\/em>. Although al-Qaeda has failed to effectively tie its efforts in the past to the Israel-Palestine conflict, this new wave of propaganda may create a more effective link.<\/em><\/p>\n Bill Roggio, \u201cUS targets Taliban drug facilities in Helmand<\/a>,\u201d FDD\u2019s Long War Journal<\/em>. December 8, 2017.\u00a0The <\/em>United States<\/em> continues its efforts to eliminate Taliban funding by attacking narcotics facilities in <\/em>Afghanistan<\/em> that directly contribute to the organization\u2019s revenue.<\/em><\/p>\n Andrew Byers and Faith Stewart, “Trump, avoid the urge for US military intervention in Yemen<\/a>,” The Hill<\/em>. December 7, 2017. Byers and Stewart argue that the United States should resist the urge to further engage in military interventionism in Yemen because of the intractable nature of the conflicts there, and should restrict its efforts to humanitarian relief<\/em>.<\/p>\n Terri Moon Cronk, \u201cMilitary Not Only Solution to Terrorism in Africa<\/a>,\u201d U.S.<\/em> Department of Defense.<\/em> December 7, 2017.\u00a0While the DoD remains focused on providing military support to African states as they seek to combat the terrorism within their states, the <\/em>United States<\/em> also emphasizes its goal of extending their partners\u2019 capacities and capabilities to conduct such efforts without aid. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Javier E. David, \u201cAl Qaeda\u2019s arm in North Africa has made around $100 million through ransom and drug trading, study says<\/a>,\u201d CNBC. <\/em>December 6, 2017.\u00a0Al-Qaeda in the Islamic <\/em>Maghreb<\/em> is considered al-Qaeda\u2019s wealthiest branch and has executed attacks across Northern and <\/em>West Africa<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n Jack Detsch, \u201cPentagon acknowledges higher number of US troops in Syria<\/a>,\u201d Al-Monitor.<\/em> December 6, 2017.\u00a0A report indicating that there are now approximately 2,000 <\/em>U.S.<\/em> troops in <\/em>Syria<\/em>, rather than 500, the number reported as recently as last month. Detsch argues that while ISIS has been largely eradicated from the state, proxy conflicts with Russian and Iran as well as efforts to train Syrian security forces will, at least in the short term, keep the <\/em>United States<\/em> involved in the conflict. <\/em><\/p>\n Steve Holland and Phil Stewart, \u201cTrump asks Saudi Arabia to allow immediate aid to Yemen<\/a>,\u201d Reuters. <\/em>December 6, 2017.\u00a0In a statement to reporters last week, President Trump publicly pressured <\/em>Saudi Arabia<\/em> to allow aid to <\/em>Yemen<\/em> in order to combat the humanitarian crisis that has grown exponentially since the Saudi blockade began last month. <\/em><\/p>\n Sadaf Jaffer, \u201cFinding Hope in Islamic History<\/a>,\u201d Foreign Policy Research Institute.<\/em> December 5, 2017.\u00a0Jaffer compares Islamic extremists to those who characterize the religion as violent and authoritarian by arguing that both parties place Islam in a narrowly-defined box. Jaffer argues that only by defining Islam through and understanding of human rights and equality can extremist violence be defeated.<\/em><\/p>\n Thomas Joscelyn, \u201cUS and Afghan forces target al-Qaeda operatives in 3 provinces<\/a>,\u201d FDD\u2019s Long War Journal<\/em>. December 5, 2017.\u00a0The <\/em>United States<\/em> and <\/em>Afghanistan<\/em> continue to fight against the influence of al-Qaeda and the Taliban within the nation. Recent attacks against the terrorist organizations have resulted in the deaths of several major al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders, while simultaneously indicating the growing role of AQIS in al-Qaeda operations in <\/em>Afghanistan<\/em>. <\/em><\/p>\n Mohammed Ayoob, \u201cDangerous portents in the Middle East<\/a>,”\u00a0ASPI: The Strategist<\/em>. December 5, 2017.\u00a0An argument that despite the defeat of <\/em>ISIS<\/em> in <\/em>Syria<\/em>, the competition between <\/em>Saudi Arabia<\/em> and <\/em>Iran<\/em> is fueling the instability in the <\/em>Middle East<\/em>. <\/em><\/p>\n Bart Marcois, \u201cAli Abdullah Saleh\u2019s Death Is a Turning Point in Yemen<\/a>,\u201d OpsLens<\/em>. December 4, 2017.\u00a0A brief article arguing that Saleh\u2019s death indicates the beginning of the end of <\/em>Yemen<\/em>\u2019s civil war. <\/em><\/p>\n Ashish Kumar Sen, \u201cIranian-backed Houthis Just Caused a Self-Inflicted Wound by Killing Yemen\u2019s Former President<\/a>,\u201d Atlantic Council. <\/em>December 4, 2017.\u00a0Sen indicates that by killing former president Saleh, the Houthis have lost political legitimacy in <\/em>Yemen<\/em>. Further, while Saleh had extended a peace overture to the Saudi-led coalition prior to his death, the Saudis are unlikely to \u201cput much faith in the remaining leaders of the GPC (Saleh\u2019s political party).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>Jack Detsch, \u201cUS weapons pour into Lebanon amid turmoil<\/a>,\u201d Al-Monitor<\/em>. December 4, 2017.\u00a0Despite the political turmoil in Lebanon and the Trump Administration\u2019s open aspirations to cut foreign military funding, the United States continues to fund Lebanon\u2019s armed forces in an effort to help the government fight the growing number of ISIS and other militants along its northeastern border. <\/em><\/p>\n November 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n Bill Roggio and Alexandra Gutowski, \u201cUS targets Islamic State in northeastern Somalia<\/a>,\u201d FDD\u2019s Long War Journal<\/em>. November 27, 2017.\u00a0The <\/em>