Generation Jihad

Washington is rolling out the red carpet for Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, now “President Shara.” Bill Roggio and Edmund Fitton-Brown ask the hard question: why is a former al-Qaeda leader who oversaw massacres and foreign-terror networks suddenly treated like Syria’s George Washington? They unpack the risks, the Taliban déjà vu, and what this means for Israel, minorities, and the next phase of the long war.

Bill and David Daoud examine how Israel’s near-daily strikes on Hezbollah barely register in the West while even minor flare-ups in Gaza seemingly become a global crisis. They unpack why Lebanon’s decades of incompetence paved the way for Hezbollah entrenchment and failed statehood — and Western exhaustion, which may help explain why the “belligerent occupation” narrative remains strong in Gaza.

Tom Joscelyn, a senior fellow and expert in terrorism, joins Bill Roggio to unpack the explosive dynamics between the Taliban and Pakistan. They discuss the rise of the TTP's insurgency, leading to renewed violence and the implications of a recent ceasefire. Tom reveals the TTP's aims for an Islamic Emirate, while the duo debates Pakistan's historical support of jihadist groups and the influence of military factions. Their insights illuminate a precarious situation, with potential wildcards like al-Qaeda posing further risks.

Guest host Behnam Ben Taleblu and FDD’s Janatan Sayeh delve into the complexities of Iran's internal politics, implications of the recent 12-day war, and ongoing discussions surrounding the truth about the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions. They unpack the regime's strategies, the impact of social media on public perception, and the challenges faced by regime leadership in maintaining “legitimacy” and control. 

In this discussion, Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former UK ambassador and expert on Yemen and Iran, dives into the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. He emphasizes that the ceasefire in Gaza is not a peace deal, revealing the ongoing risks from groups like Hamas and the Houthis. The conversation spans challenges of prisoner releases, the influence of Qatar on Hamas, and Iran's potential escalation of nuclear ambitions. Fitton-Brown also warns about the implications of nonviolent Islamism in the West and advocates for stronger international naval presence to secure shipping routes.

Bill Roggio, Sinan Ciddi, and Ahmad Sharawi discuss the brewing fight between Erdogan's Turkey, the SDF, and Sharaa’s Syria.

Two years after the Iran-backed, Hamas-led attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel remains locked into a multi-front, defensive war against the Islamic Republic and its patrons — including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Bill Roggio and Joe Truzman look back at how 10/7 reshaped the region, what’s surprised them most, and why the conflict is far from over.

Ahmad Sharawi is back with Bill to discuss the ongoing Sharaa spectacle, from massacres whitewashed and sanctions lifted with no conditions to foreign fighters handed Syrian citizenship — in its rush to embrace him, is the West willfully ignoring Sharaa’s blood-soaked past?

Ahmed al-Sharaa used to be known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani — al Qaeda’s man in Syria. Now he’s known as the president of Syria. He’s in New York City this week, headlining the UN General Assembly (UNGA), fraternizing with world leaders and meeting with senior Trump administration officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He was even hosted by a prominent think-tank for a fireside chat with General David Petraeus, a self-described “fan.” Why is everyone so eager to embrace someone with a record of terror? Tom Joscelyn is back with Bill to unpack Washington’s stunning, but not surprising, amnesia.

Four years after America’s chaotic retreat from Afghanistan, President Trump has said he wants U.S. forces back at Bagram — or as Bill and Tom call it: a fantasy. They explain why the Taliban will never allow it, China wouldn’t tolerate it, and Washington still hasn’t learned. From Doha to Abbey Gate, they retrace how America’s exit empowered jihadists—and why talk of going back is pure madness.