Long War Journal Archives - FDD's Long War Journal

Amid security threats, Syria attempts to cement stability, international ties

Seth Frantzman — Fri, 22 May 2026 12:01:08 +0000

A car bombing in central Damascus on May 19 killed one soldier and wounded civilians, as Syrian forces conducted raids against suspected militants in Deir Ez Zor. Damascus is also advancing reconciliation efforts with Kurdish groups and pursuing international diplomatic engagement.

The post Amid security threats, Syria attempts to cement stability, international ties appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Generation Jihad | Dune: the Brotherhood jihad

Bill Roggio & Edmund Fitton-Brown — Thu, 21 May 2026 14:47:16 +0000

Before Hamas. Before Al Qaeda. Before the Islamic State. There was… the Muslim Brotherhood. And for nearly a century, it has played the long game by building influence across the Middle East and even deep inside the West. Bill Roggio is joined Edmund Fitton-Brown to discuss.

The post Generation Jihad | Dune: the Brotherhood jihad appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Hamas replaces military wing leader, IDF reports 19 Gaza ceasefire violations May 6–20

Aaron Goren — Wed, 20 May 2026 17:35:12 +0000

After the elimination of Al Qassam Brigades leader Izz al Din al Haddad on May 15, Hamas has reportedly turned to longtime senior member Mohammed Odeh to take the reins of the group’s military wing. As Hamas reportedly rearms and reconstitutes its strength, the IDF reports that its members and other Palestinian terrorists have continued to violate the ceasefire in Gaza.

The post Hamas replaces military wing leader, IDF reports 19 Gaza ceasefire violations May 6–20 appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Saudi Arabia and UAE say drone attacks were launched from Iraq

Seth Frantzman — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:35:55 +0000

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said that recent drone attacks targeting their territory originated from Iraq, increasing pressure on Baghdad to address the activities of Iranian-backed militias operating inside the country. The incidents come amid continued regional tensions involving Iran and have intensified scrutiny of Iraq’s newly formed government.

The post Saudi Arabia and UAE say drone attacks were launched from Iraq appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

UAE sanctions Hezbollah-linked financial network, reflecting US designations

David Daoud & Ahmad Sharawi — Mon, 18 May 2026 21:10:20 +0000

The UAE’s designation of 16 Hezbollah-linked individuals and five affiliated organizations mirrors prior US Treasury sanctions targeting the broader web of financial, accounting, and institutional entities connected to Hezbollah’s economic ecosystem.

The post UAE sanctions Hezbollah-linked financial network, reflecting US designations appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Analysis: Netanyahu pushes for US military aid drawdown

Bradley Bowman & Justin Leopold-Cohen — Mon, 18 May 2026 16:48:13 +0000

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to promote a plan to move his country away from American foreign military financing, but that comes at a time when Israel’s military requirements are increasing, and it is already spending an extraordinary percentage of gross domestic product on defense.

The post Analysis: Netanyahu pushes for US military aid drawdown appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

US, Nigerian forces kill senior Islamic State leader

Bill Roggio — Sat, 16 May 2026 13:56:50 +0000

The US military, "in coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria," killed Abu Bilal al Minuki and several other senior Islamic State leaders in an operation in northeastern Nigeria. President Trump and US Africa Command described Minuki as the Islamic State’s second in command and director of global operations.

The post US, Nigerian forces kill senior Islamic State leader appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Hamas commander Izz al Din al Haddad targeted in Israeli airstrike

Joe Truzman — Fri, 15 May 2026 22:58:09 +0000

The Israeli military attacked an apartment in Gaza City, targeting Izz al Din al Haddad, Hamas’s leader in Gaza. Al Haddad is one of the last remaining senior members of Hamas who were responsible for the October 7 attack.

The post Hamas commander Izz al Din al Haddad targeted in Israeli airstrike appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Iraq forms new government with only 14 of 23 ministers

Bridget Toomey — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:26:27 +0000

Iraq’s parliament approved the new government six months after parliamentary elections in November 2025. Ali al Zaidi is now the prime minister, but key ministries remain unfilled amid disagreements between Tehran and Washington and their partners over the government’s formation.

The post Iraq forms new government with only 14 of 23 ministers appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Israel trains new civilian security squads for 67 Gaza border communities

Seth Frantzman — Thu, 14 May 2026 13:19:03 +0000

Israel is expanding civilian security preparedness in communities near the Gaza border through a new training program led by Magen 48, a non-profit civilian-led initiative, in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces. The program, created after the October 7 Hamas attack, trains local volunteer armed response teams in tactics, medical support, and community defense.

The post Israel trains new civilian security squads for 67 Gaza border communities appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Iraqi security forces and politicians react to reports of ‘secret’ Israeli base

Seth Frantzman — Tue, 12 May 2026 17:53:14 +0000

A report alleging that Israel operated a secret military base in Iraq’s Najaf desert has sparked controversy and conflicting statements among Iraqi politicians and security forces. The report emerged amid sensitive political negotiations in Baghdad and broader tensions involving Iran-backed militias, Israel, the United States, and Iran.

The post Iraqi security forces and politicians react to reports of ‘secret’ Israeli base appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

3 October 7 perpetrators identified with facial recognition software

Joe Truzman — Mon, 11 May 2026 14:55:16 +0000

Open-source information and commercially available facial recognition tools have identified three suspects— Amjad Qadoum, Yasir Samir, and Mustafa Shaheen—who were involved in the October 7 Hamas-led massacre in southern Israel. Facial recognition tools and social media exploitation can yield verifiable identity data from the extensive footage recorded by the terrorists’ own devices.

The post 3 October 7 perpetrators identified with facial recognition software appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Generation Jihad | Iran’s nukes: Degraded but not dead

Bill Roggio — Fri, 08 May 2026 18:25:34 +0000

Iran’s nuclear program is in ruins, but the threat is far from dead. Deputy Director of FDD's Non-Proliferation Program Andrea Stricker and Bill Roggio dive into the desperate gamble Tehran is making at the negotiating table with the US — and the terrifying chemical contingency they might be holding in reserve.

The post Generation Jihad | Iran’s nukes: Degraded but not dead appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Israel assassinates commander of Hezbollah Radwan Force

David Daoud — Fri, 08 May 2026 17:50:02 +0000

On May 6, Israel conducted its first strike in the greater Beirut metropolitan area since the onset of a ceasefire on April 16. The strike targeted an apartment building in Dahiyeh, and one of the alleged fatalities was Ahmad Ghaleb Ballout, whom Israel claimed was the newest leader of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force commando unit.

The post Israel assassinates commander of Hezbollah Radwan Force appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Protests in Syria’s Kurdish region highlight demand for rights

Seth Frantzman — Fri, 08 May 2026 15:04:40 +0000

Protests erupted in Hasaka in eastern Syria after authorities replaced Kurdish and Arabic on a government billboard with English and Arabic, angering local residents. The incident reflects broader tensions as Damascus seeks to reassert control over eastern Syria following agreements with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

The post Protests in Syria’s Kurdish region highlight demand for rights appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Analysis: Russian security assistance is creating problems on the Korean Peninsula

Logan Rolleigh & Ryan Brobst — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:21:22 +0000

North Korea has launched dozens of missiles since the start of 2026. The regime is displaying increasingly lethal long-range fires capabilities that have been enabled, in no small part, by Russian security assistance.

The post Analysis: Russian security assistance is creating problems on the Korean Peninsula appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Generation Jihad | Gridlock at the Strait

Bill Roggio — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:57:08 +0000

The world’s most vital trade artery is under siege. As the US launches "Project Freedom" to break the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, global shipping remains in a chokehold. This week, Bill Roggio sits down with shipping expert Sal Mercogliano to break down the stalemate, the dual blockade, and the massive economic ripple effects threatening the global supply chain.

The post Generation Jihad | Gridlock at the Strait appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Iran targets Kurdish Iranian opposition groups in northern Iraq

Seth Frantzman — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:53:56 +0000

Iran has intensified attacks on Kurdish Iranian opposition groups in northern Iraq, targeting camps linked to the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran and Komala with drones in early May. The strikes are part of a broader campaign by Iran and its allied militias against Kurdish groups operating in the Kurdistan Region.

The post Iran targets Kurdish Iranian opposition groups in northern Iraq appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Israeli forces face challenges as Hezbollah ramps up use of FPV drones

David Daoud — Wed, 06 May 2026 13:42:06 +0000

During the renewed conflict with Israel, Hezbollah has increasingly relied on an arsenal of first-person view (FPV) drones that it amassed and developed over the 15 months of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. These drones, which are guided by fiber-optic cables instead of radio, are proving effective against Israeli forces because they are hard to intercept and detect, and the IDF was unprepared to deal with this threat.

The post Israeli forces face challenges as Hezbollah ramps up use of FPV drones appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Syria reports neutralizing Hezbollah plot to assassinate senior officials

Ahmad Sharawi & Ron Nuriely Kimel — Tue, 05 May 2026 22:16:36 +0000

On May 5, Syrian authorities said that security forces dismantled a Hezbollah-linked militant network operating across multiple governorates, arresting 11 operatives, seizing weapons, and foiling planned assassinations.

The post Syria reports neutralizing Hezbollah plot to assassinate senior officials appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Talks over Hamas disarmament stall, IDF reports 19 Gaza ceasefire violations April 21–May 5

Samuel Ben-Ur & Aaron Goren — Tue, 05 May 2026 17:01:35 +0000

Hamas and other Palestinian terrorists continued to violate the Gaza ceasefire toward the end of April and beginning of May, according to Israeli military reports. Hamas remains adamant that it will not even begin to discuss disarmament before a complete IDF withdrawal from the territory.

The post Talks over Hamas disarmament stall, IDF reports 19 Gaza ceasefire violations April 21–May 5 appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Generation Jihad | Strait Strategy

Bill Roggio & Behnam Ben Taleblu — Tue, 05 May 2026 12:25:02 +0000

Tehran is shifting the battlefield from missiles to markets, turning the Strait of Hormuz into leverage and testing whether Washington will trade long-term strategy for short-term relief. Bill Roggio and Behnam Ben Taleblu discuss.

The post Generation Jihad | Strait Strategy appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Russian Aerospace Forces reportedly get new commander

John Hardie — Mon, 04 May 2026 23:44:42 +0000

Colonel-General Aleksandr Chaiko reportedly has been appointed commander of Russia’s Aerospace Forces. He is an unusual choice for the position, given his army background and unimpressive record in Ukraine.

The post Russian Aerospace Forces reportedly get new commander appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Iran claims strike on US warship as US attempts to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Bill Roggio — Mon, 04 May 2026 14:05:10 +0000

CENTCOM denied Iranian claims that a US warship was struck on the same day the US announced “Project Freedom,” an effort to “restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The post Iran claims strike on US warship as US attempts to reopen Strait of Hormuz appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

US offers rewards for 3 Iraqi militia leaders

Seth Frantzman — Fri, 01 May 2026 18:33:49 +0000

The United States has intensified pressure on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, offering multimillion-dollar rewards for information on additional key leaders linked to attacks on US personnel and facilities. The latest rewards target figures from three groups: Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada, and Harakat Ansar Allah al Awfiya.

The post US offers rewards for 3 Iraqi militia leaders appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Generation Jihad | Can Fortress Bamako Hold?

Bill Roggio & Caleb Weiss — Fri, 01 May 2026 15:31:22 +0000

Across Mali, jihadis are seizing territory, encircling the capital, and pushing a fragile regime toward collapse. Backed by a sprawling network and in an effort years in the making, Al Qaeda’s Sahel affiliate has launched its most ambitious offensive yet—one that could redraw the map of West Africa. Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss unpack what's going on.

The post Generation Jihad | Can Fortress Bamako Hold? appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

2 Jewish men stabbed in London, Ashab al Yamin claims attack

Joe Truzman — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:00:03 +0000

The Iran-linked front group Ashab al Yamin claimed credit for a stabbing attack in London that wounded two Jewish men. The group has claimed more than a dozen attacks in Europe, most of them targeting Jewish institutions.

The post 2 Jewish men stabbed in London, Ashab al Yamin claims attack appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Charity founded by Hamas member raising funds on US-based platform

Joe Truzman — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:12:33 +0000

A Hamas operative who was killed during the recent war with Israel founded a Gaza-based charity that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars online. The charity continues to solicit donations, including through a New York-headquartered platform.

The post Charity founded by Hamas member raising funds on US-based platform appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Venezuelan president to end amnesty, hundreds of political prisoners still unreleased

Samuel Ben-Ur — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:50:16 +0000

Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez Delcy Rodríguez said the country’s recent amnesty is ending as the NGO Foro Penal reports that 473 political prisoners remain in custody. In addition, Caracas is fast-tracking investment laws, opposition leader María Corina Machado plans to return to the country this year, and US Southern Command launched new a combat unit covering the Caribbean and Latin America.

The post Venezuelan president to end amnesty, hundreds of political prisoners still unreleased appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.

Iraq nominates little-known businessman to be next prime minister

Bridget Toomey — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:41:11 +0000

After months of political deadlock, the Shiite parties that comprise Iraq’s largest parliamentary bloc named Ali al Zaidi as the country’s prime minister-designate. Zaidi, a businessman who has not previously held a government position or been publicly affiliated with a specific party, now has 30 days to form a government.

The post Iraq nominates little-known businessman to be next prime minister appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.