The Tongo Tongo ambush, which took place on October 4, 2017, in the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, was a deadly encounter between U.S. and Nigerien soldiers and militants believed to be affiliated with ISIS in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS). A joint U.S.-Nigerien patrol was returning from a mission when they were attacked by a well-armed group of militants, leading to a fierce firefight. The ambush resulted in the deaths of four U.S. Special Forces soldiers and five Nigerien troops. The fallen U.S. soldiers were members of the 3rd Special Forces Group, and the attack shed light on the increasing terrorist threat in the Sahel region of West Africa. The attackers were reportedly outnumbered but used the element of surprise and the challenging terrain to overwhelm the patrol. The battle lasted for hours, with the U.S. and Nigerien forces requesting reinforcements and air support, which arrived after the initial firefight. The Tongo Tongo ambush sparked significant political and military scrutiny, particularly regarding U.S. military presence in Niger, the planning and intelligence behind the mission, and the response time for assistance. The incident raised questions about U.S. counterterrorism strategies in Africa, and the complexities of fighting extremist groups in remote and volatile regions. In the aftermath, a Pentagon investigation found that while the team had conducted the mission believing it to be low risk, several factors contributed to the ambush’s devastating outcome, including miscommunication and inadequate preparation for the potential threat level. The deaths of the U.S. soldiers, including Sgt. La David Johnson, whose body was found two days later after he was initially separated from the group, received significant attention, particularly in media and political circles. The Tongo Tongo ambush remains a critical moment that underscores the risks of U.S. military operations in regions facing insurgency, the evolving threat of jihadist groups in Africa, and the need for robust planning and intelligence when conducting missions in high-risk areas. #Niger #TongoTongo #ISIS #Africa #army #rangers #delta #specialforces #military #ambush #counterterrorism #terrorist #Sacrifice #loyalty #Sacrifice #neverforgotten #Honor
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Almost three years after the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, the current state of al-Qaeda looms large. According to a recent United Nations report, key al-Qaeda allies have since consolidated power in Afghanistan, providing the group with favorable conditions to evolve. Defense policy researcher and counterterrorism expert, Sara Harmouch, argues “dispelling myths of its decline, al-Qaeda remains a resilient and evolving force, continually refining its methods.” Join us on May 2 for our next public program “Al-Qaeda: A Threat Evolved?” where #911Museum Director Clifford Chanin and Harmouch will discuss the relationship between al-Qaeda and the Taliban, the current standing of al-Qaeda and its affiliates in the region, and what this all means for the U.S. and the complex threat landscape it currently faces. Register for free: https://ow.ly/k4jG50RmvAp
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This week’s Mali "In Focus" by Castor Vali examines the recent attack on Ménaka by Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and the group's growing dominance in eastern Mali and western Niger. Despite being repelled on 27 June, the militants' numbers indicate ISGS is intensifying efforts to push out the Malian Armed Forces. With minimal military pressure, ISGS is likely to continue expanding its presence and capabilities in Ménaka and the eastern Gao Region. Stay informed with our latest insights on regional security dynamics. Sign up for our reports here: https://lnkd.in/dMKW56TZ #SecurityUpdate #Mali #ISGS #RegionalStability #CastorVali #Terrorism #SecurityThreats #WestAfrica #MilitaryAnalysis #ConflictZone #InFocus #Geopolitics #SecurityInsights #MaliCrisis #CounterTerrorism #GaoRegion #Menaka #BorderSecurity #SahelRegion #DefenceUpdates
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Samuel and I had the honor of retiring a couple of old, worn-out U.S. flags at Home Depot. It’s a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who defend our nation and the values we hold dear. On this #REDFriday, let’s remember every deployed service member. From Europe to the Middle East, Asia-Pacific to Africa, and even the Arctic, U.S. forces are actively deployed in challenging environments to maintain peace, fight terrorism, and support allies: 🇺🇸 Europe: Rotational forces in Poland, Romania, and the Baltic States strengthening NATO partnerships. 🇺🇸 Middle East: Operations in Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf States countering threats like ISIS and regional aggression. 🇺🇸 Asia-Pacific: Enhanced presence in the Philippines and Australia, building regional stability. 🇺🇸 Africa: Counterterrorism missions in Somalia targeting groups like al-Shabaab. 🇺🇸 Arctic: Increased readiness in Alaska in response to growing global tensions with Russia. Our service members are standing in the gap for freedom and security. Let’s stand for them—wear red, pray for their safety, and never forget their sacrifices. #RememberEveryDeployed #REDFriday #SupportOurTroops #HonorAndRespect #GlobalSecurity #AmericanValues 🇺🇸
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Left-wing terrorism draws ideological inspiration from Marxism, Leninism, and Maoism, fuelling endeavours to topple existing regimes and establish socialist or communist states. The majority of left-wing terrorist groups originated in the aftermath of World War II and were predominantly active during the Cold War. Historically, groups like the Communist Combatant Cells (CCC) of Belgium, Red Army Faction (RAF) of Germany, Red Brigades (RB) of Italy, and Action Direct (AD) of France operated during the Cold War era but disbanded thereafter. However, remnants of left-wing extremism persist in regions like Colombia, where FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) poses a significant national security threat, alongside groups like Nepal Maoists and the New People’s Army (NPA) in the Philippines. In Europe, organizations such as the Revolutionary Organisation 17 November (also known as 17N or the 17 November Group) and the Revolutionary Nuclei of Greece, as well as the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party (DHKP-C) in Turkey, continue to advocate leftist ideologies through acts of terrorism. I wrote a paper that touches on this and the other ideological motives of terrorism titled “THE GLOBALISATION OF MIDDLE EASTERN TERRORISM”, in the Journal of Defence & Policy Analysis of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. You may view it through my website resources section: https://lnkd.in/dXe-64wH #leftwingterrorism #terrorism #securitystudies #internationalsecurity
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Washington vs Astana: comparison of the NATO and SCO declarations This analysis reveals how NATO’s focus on collective defense and military readiness contrasts with the SCO’s emphasis on regional cooperation, economic development, and combating terrorism. Key insights from the NATO Washington Summit and Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Astana highlight their strategic priorities and future plans, offering a comprehensive view of their roles in shaping global security and cooperation Details — https://lnkd.in/d9Yg6sgi Written by: Eldaniz Gusseinov #NATOSummit #SCOSummit #WashingtonVsAstana #GlobalSecurity #CollectiveDefense #RegionalCooperation #EconomicDevelopment #CounterTerrorism #Geopolitics #StrategicPriorities #MilitaryReadiness #InternationalRelations #DaryoNews #GlobalCooperation #SecurityAnalysis #SummitComparison
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I am excited to share my latest article, "Pakistan's Counterterrorism Strategy: Beyond Azm-e-Istehkam," for the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a leading defense and security think tank based in the UK. I argued that Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, like its predecessors, is unlikely to bring lasting peace unless Pakistan shifts to a more holistic and integrated strategy. The military alone cannot win this war; true victory requires the backing of socioeconomic development, robust legal frameworks, political unity, and unwavering public support. I delved into how, with the launch of this latest military counterterrorism operation, the country can ensure that it does not repeat past mistakes. It's time for a fresh perspective and a new approach. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d5jMahVe. #AzmeIstehkam #Counterterrorism #Pakistan #SecurityStudies #PolicyAnalysis
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Do targeted strikes against militant groups affect insurgent operations differently from terrorist operations? One of the reasons it is challenging for states to counter militant groups who simultaneously wage an insurgency and a terrorist campaign is that there are offsetting effects between counterinsurgency and counterterrorism. As both an insurgent group and a terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) poses particular challenges to states. Since 2014, the United States and coalition allies have conducted thousands of targeted strikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). In this article, we examine the effects of targeted strikes against ISIL. Using a novel dataset of time-series observations from Iraq and Syria between 2015 and 2018, we examine the relationship between targeted strikes conducted under OIR and the number of insurgent and terrorist attacks conducted by ISIL. Our findings give empirical support to the theoretical argument that the same military strategy can have different effects on insurgency and terrorism. Source: National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) https://lnkd.in/emt5xTcs #terrorism #counterterrorism #terrorists #violence #attack #attacks #ISIL #islamicstate #ISIS #nationalsecurity #homelandsecurity #highthreat #threat #threats #data #dataset #research #resource
Examining the Counterinsurgency-Counterterrorism Tradeoff: The Effects of Targeted Strikes on Militant Attacks
start.umd.edu
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Following the Pulwama attack and subsequent events, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has consistently emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. There has been a strong focus on national security, counter-terrorism measures, and diplomatic efforts to address cross-border terrorism. The Balakot airstrike in 2019 was positioned as a decisive response to terrorist activities, signaling a robust stance against those involved in promoting violence and destabilizing the region. India has continued to advocate for global cooperation in combating terrorism and has sought to isolate state-sponsored terrorism. Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, there has been a concerted effort to strengthen internal security, enhance intelligence capabilities, and collaborate with the international community to address the broader issue of terrorism. However, it's essential to note that counter-terrorism policies are complex and multifaceted, involving diplomatic, military, and intelligence efforts. Furthermore, the government also prioritizes supporting the families of the martyrs by offering financial assistance, educational support, and various welfare measures. Policies and initiatives are implemented to ensure the well-being of those left behind, collectively paying tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation. #creativeleaders #india #pulwamattack #indianarmy #crpfindia #terroism
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