All Policy Analysis by Aaron Y. Zelin

While more evidence is needed to determine whether AQIM or other jihadi factions are linked to the latest assassination of a secular politician in Tunisia, such groups will continue to play a role in the country.

During the last two years, Salafist activity has escalated in Tunisia. Much of this activity -- primarily dawa (religious outreach) designed to expand the Salafist movement -- has taken place under the auspices of Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia (AST), headed by veteran jihadist Saifullah bin Hassine. A series of security

The Institute's Richard Borow fellow addressed a joint hearing held by the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade and the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa . The following is an excerpt from his prepared remarks; download the PDF to read the full testimony. "The case of a

When influential cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi called for jihad in Syria, he paved the way toward region-wide conflict.

Although Washington and Saudi Arabia have increased their support for the mainstream Syrian opposition, jihadist factions and their Qatari and Egyptian backers are asserting themselves as well.

Aaron Zelin, a Washington Institute expert on jihadist movements, joined with Evan Kohlmann and Laith al-Khouri of Flashpoint Global Partners to prepare this study charting the evolving role of Sunni foreign fighters in Syria's ongoing war. Below is an excerpt; download the PDF to read the full report, complete with

Whichever way the latest tensions unfold, Tunis is unlikely to return to its "light touch" of old, and further confrontations with the Salafists could become the norm.