UN Secretary-General Guterres has appointed Russia’s representative Alexander Zuev as Deputy for Counter-Terrorism. The initial reaction is, well, let’s just say it’s not exactly filled with enthusiastic applause. The appointment immediately triggers a wave of skepticism, and to be frank, a significant amount of outright condemnation. It’s a decision that seems to fly in the face of common sense, raising eyebrows and prompting a chorus of negative assessments, painting it as a move that undermines the UN’s credibility.
The core of the problem, as expressed by many, is the perception of Russia itself. The European Parliament, back in November 2022, went so far as to label Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, citing its attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.… Continue reading
The UK Home Office has rejected Hamas’s application to be removed from the list of banned terrorist organizations. This decision follows a legal challenge launched by Riverway Law, which argued the ban hinders peace efforts and violates human rights. The Home Office stated that Hamas remains a proscribed organization, making it illegal to be a member, display symbols, or support the group within the UK. Hamas can appeal this decision, but the process has historically seen few successes, with only a handful of groups delisted since 2000.
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Following a pro-Palestinian activist group’s intrusion into RAF Brize Norton and subsequent vandalism of two military aircraft, the Home Secretary will introduce legislation to proscribe Palestine Action. This move, expected to be formalized in a parliamentary statement on Monday, will effectively criminalize membership in the group. The incident, condemned by the Prime Minister as “disgraceful,” triggered a security review across UK military bases. Counter-terrorism police are investigating the break-in, while RAF engineers assess the damage to the affected aircraft.
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Following a terrorist attack, the Golani Brigade initiated an operation on Wednesday, encircling the European Hospital in the “Triangle” neighborhood of Jenin. Simultaneous fighting occurred in the surrounding area, including near the Jenin School. The operation focused on locating and recovering the bodies of terrorists within a network of underground tunnels beneath the hospital. This action was part of a larger counter-terrorism effort.
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Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian Armed Forces, targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and POK, successfully destroying key infrastructure linked to LeT and JeM. The operation, described as measured and proportionate, aimed to dismantle terror camps and prevent infiltration. Pakistan disputed this, claiming civilian casualties and the downing of Indian jets, though providing only unsubstantiated social media evidence. International reaction was largely supportive of India’s counter-terrorism efforts, although some nations, such as Türkiye and Azerbaijan, sided with Pakistan.
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Five men, four of whom are Iranian nationals, were arrested across England on suspicion of plotting to attack a specific location. The arrests, conducted by counter-terror officers, are part of an ongoing investigation involving searches in Greater Manchester, London, and Swindon. Authorities are working with the targeted site and exploring potential motivations. In a separate, unrelated investigation, three additional Iranian nationals were also arrested in London under the National Security Act 2023.
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The removal of the $10 million terror bounty on the new Syrian leader is a significant development, particularly given the recent US meeting in Damascus. Initially, the headline’s phrasing suggested a new bounty, an act that would have been incredibly undiplomatic following a meeting. This suggests that the meeting, while perhaps not overtly hostile, may not have been entirely smooth.
This Syrian leader, active in Idlib for years, has cultivated a surprisingly pragmatic image. He’s overseen book fairs, mall openings, and listening tours, showcasing a political persona uncommon in the region. He even collaborated with Western NGOs, while simultaneously combating ISIS and Al-Qaeda.… Continue reading
Two Malaysian detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep, were transferred to Malaysia after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to the 2002 Bali bombings and agreeing to testify against alleged mastermind Encep Nurjaman. Their testimony will be used in Nurjaman’s upcoming trial. This transfer follows the repatriation of a Kenyan detainee held without charge for 17 years, leaving 27 detainees remaining at Guantanamo. The transfers have drawn criticism from Australian victims’ families, who expressed concerns about the lack of remorse shown by the Malaysian men.
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Germany recently charged four individuals for establishing Hamas weapons depots across Europe. This raises several critical questions, not the least of which is why Hamas felt the need to establish these caches in the first place. The suggestion that these depots were intended for attacks against Jewish institutions across Europe is a serious allegation, highlighting a potential threat to security.
The prosecution’s statement that these storage sites were maintained by operatives holding European residence permits, ready for immediate deployment, underscores the sophistication and planning involved. The identification of potential targets such as the Israeli embassy in Berlin, the US Air Base in Ramstein, and Tempelhof Airport highlights the gravity of the situation and the potential for significant damage.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker