Terrorism Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Russia’s Recognition of the Taliban: Strategic Defiance in a New Great Game

In April 2025, Russia became the first major global power to take decisive steps toward formal recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, breaking with Western efforts to isolate the Islamist government. Though…

April 18, 2025Afghanistan, China, Russia, Taliban, USA

Geopolitics Intelligence ops National Security Terrorism

Russia’s Push to Legitimize the Taliban: Strategic Interests, Global Implications, and U.S. Countermeasures

Russia has recently undertaken several steps toward legitimizing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan: Initiating Legal Processes to Delist the Taliban as a Terrorist Organization: In March 2025, Russia's Prosecutor General's…

April 1, 2025Afghanistan, Russia, Taliban, USA

Intelligence ops National Security Terrorism

The Rising Threat of Suicide Attacks in Europe

European security services are bracing for a potential wave of suicide attacks, modeled to resemble Islamist jihadist operations. Intelligence suggests that Russian operatives have been refining such tactics in Ukraine,…

February 17, 2025GRU, Russia, Ukraine

Conflict Geopolitics National Security Terrorism

Scenarios and Implications of Escalating Conflict Between Israel and the Houthis

The probability of a conflict between Israel and Yemen's Houthi rebels has escalated from potential to active engagement. Recent events indicate that hostilities are already underway, with both parties conducting…

January 10, 2025Houthis, Iran, Israel, Yemen

Intelligence ops National Security Terrorism

Havana Syndrome Revisited: Foreign Actors, Microwave Weapons, and the Attack on U.S. Institutions

A recent interim report by the House Permanent Select Subcommittee on the CIA suggests that a foreign adversary is "increasingly likely" responsible for the mysterious health incidents known as Havana…

December 17, 2024China, Havana Syndrome, Russia, USA

Terrorism

How the Islamic State Could Leverage Syria’s Political Transition

Syrian opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overran Syria’s main cities, including the capital, in less than two weeks, finally ending the brutal regime of President Bashar Al-Assad over the…

December 16, 2024ISIS, Syria

Geopolitics Intelligence ops Terrorism

Assessing Russia’s Strategic Gamble with Houthi Cooperation

Since the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah, or 'Partisans of God') has emerged as one of the most active and capable members of Iran's so-called 'Axis of…

December 6, 2024GRU, Houthis, Iran, Russia, Yemen

Governance National Security Terrorism

Who is the New Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem?

In a leadership transition amid the ongoing wars in Lebanon and Gaza, Hezbollah’s Shura Council elected Shia cleric Naim Qassem as its new Secretary-General. The appointment follows the assassination by Israel of former…

November 6, 2024Hezbollah, Iran, Israel, Lebanon

Geoeconomics Geopolitics Governance Terrorism

Analysis of the Taliban Regime’s resilience in 2024-2025

The Supreme Afghan Leader (Emir) Haibatullah Akhundzada has strengthened his grip to power, formulating new federal institutions functioning under his decree and implementing policies from his limited office in Kandahar. Under his…

October 16, 2024Afghanistan, China, Haqqani network, Iran, Russia, Taliban

Intelligence ops Terrorism

Russian intelligence is leveraging terrorists from international organizations to destabilize European countries.

The FSB (Federal Security Service) is recruiting assassins from Russian prisons, sending them abroad to participate in operations, including contract killings. For instance, the FSB’s 2nd Service (Service for the…

October 9, 2024FSB, Russia