Beijing’s quiet diplomacy faces test in mineral-rich DR Congo
China’s attempts to amass massive business interests throughout Africa have been followed by a cautious policy of staying neutral – but the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s east has prompted a rethink. Rwanda has been under widespread criticism of fueling the conflict in the mineral-rich region and Beijing, which has strong ties with […]
Man arrested after arson attack on Pennsylvania governor, to face terrorism charges
A 38-year-old male has been taken into custody for a blaze at the home of the Pennsylvania governor when the governor and his family were sleeping within. Harrisburg Bureau of Fire was called to the fire about 2 a.m. and put it out, but the structure was left with “a considerable amount of damage,” Pennsylvania […]
U.S. Military conducted counterterrorism operation with El Salvador
A senior Pentagon official stated that the U.S. military has executed a “successful counter-terrorism mission” in collaboration with El Salvador, although this seemed to pertain primarily to the deportation of suspected criminals. That day, the State Department announced that alleged members of the Venezuelan and MS-13 gangs were transported to El Salvador by the U.S. […]
How Mexico helped capture the FBI’s most wanted MS-13 leader
Mexican authorities arrested and gave to the U.S. a suspected leader of the international criminal gang MS-13, who is accused of conspiracy to provide and hide material support and resources to terrorists and narco-terrorism and was on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” profile. FBI Director Kash Patel described Francisco Javier Román-Bardales as a “key senior […]
Trump rolls back limits on US Airstrikes against terrorists
U.S. President Donald Trump has eased the process for the US military to conduct airstrikes and operations against terrorist targets by dismissing policies enforced by former President Joe Biden that determined what commanders could order without executive support, a report revealed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive in February this year that officially eased […]
Justice Department charges ISIS-K operative for deadly 2021 Kabul attack
In a Virginia federal court, the U.S. Justice Department presented the alleged mastermind of the August 2021 bombing that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. The justice department expressed that Islamic State Khorasan operative Mohammad Sharifullah, aka “Jafar,” was indicted on March 2. He was charged with “providing and conspiring to provide […]
Trump’s second term: A new vision for U.S. counterterrorism
President Donald Trump started his second term with swift moves and directives, delineating his administration’s pivotal preferences, many of which were expected and much debated during the drive. One likely focus has received less engagement, yet it will greatly shape the United States’ foreign policy and approach for national security. Counterterrorism will probably be a […]
Trump cracks down on Latin American cartels with terrorist designation
The Republican administration is effectively designating 8 Latin American crime organisations as “foreign terrorist organisations,” increasing its pressure on cartels working in the U.S. and on anyone helping them. Specifically, the order, implementing a January 20 executive order by President Donald Trump, designates Tren de Aragua in Venezuela, MS-13 in El Salvador and six outfits […]
Will Trump’s foreign aid freeze undermine U.S. counterterrorism efforts?
In recent weeks, there has been considerable concern in the U.S. military and intelligence communities over the President Trump government’s dramatic halt of almost all US aid programmes around the world. This halt has also impacted US counter-terrorism agendas, which support African governments in detecting, investigating, and confronting extremist threats. Much of this aid is […]
Trump’s Kent appointment signals a shift in US counterterrorism strategy
As United States President Donald Trump formed a squad after his election win, he picked quite a few Republicans who ran and lost bids for elected office. As the president’s second period in the White House gets up and running, he’s persisting to add to that list. In continuation of his expanding cabinet, President Donald […]