Terrorism Archives - Robert Lansing Institute

Afghanistan–Pakistan Border Clashes, 2025

Intense fighting along the long‐contested Afghanistan–Pakistan frontier broke out in October 2025, marking the worst conflict between the two countries since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Islamabad accused Kabul of…

October 20, 2025Afghanistan, Pakistan

Corruption National Security Situation Reports Terrorism

Wagner Group Atrocities in the Central African Republic — Motives, Parallels, and Risks of Regional Backlash

The killing of local civilians by the Russian Wagner Group near a gold mine in the Central African Republic (CAR) has reignited international scrutiny over Moscow’s extractive activities in Africa.…

July 21, 2025CAR, gold, Russia, Wagner Group

Opinion Terrorism

The Pahalgam TerrorAttack: A Manufactured Crisis Fueled Pakistan’s Military-Industrial Complex

Introduction The Pahalgam attack was a pivotal moment that reshaped security narratives in Pakistan. While the official stance framed it as an existential threat requiring immediate military escalation, deeper analysis…

June 2, 2025Pakistan

Intelligence ops National Security Propaganda and Disinformation Terrorism

Victory Day Under False Colors: The Risk of a Russian False-Flag Attack on May 9

As Victory Day approaches, there is a growing risk that the Kremlin may stage or exploit a terrorist act inside Russia to blame Ukraine and reinforce wartime propaganda. Historically, the…

May 5, 2025Russia, Ukraine

Geopolitics National Security Terrorism

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