Generation Jihad New UN report on state of global jihad
Jul 30, 2025
Joining the discussion are Edmund Fitton Brown, a former UK ambassador to Yemen and expert on terrorist networks, and Caleb Weiss, a senior analyst at Long War Journal specializing in jihadist movements. They delve into the latest UN report on Al-Qaeda and ISIS, exploring Al-Qaeda's leadership dynamics, the geopolitical significance of Syria and Somalia, and the impact of propaganda on recruitment. They also debate the implications of Saif al-Adel's presence in Iran and assess the resilience of ISIS and Al-Shabab amid shifting threats.
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How The UN Monitoring Team Produces Its Report
- The UN monitoring team compiles consensus-based reports from ten international experts with limited travel budgets.
- Omissions or contested lines often reveal disagreements between member states or lack of corroboration.
Reading Omissions As Analytical Clues
- The report's omissions can be as revealing as its contents and may signal unresolved consensus.
- Not mentioning Saif al-Adil in Iran complicates interpretations about al-Qaeda leadership and affiliate behavior.
Al‑Qaeda's Autonomy Is Strategic, Not Just Weakness
- Al‑Qaeda historically delegates tactical autonomy while central leadership provides strategic guidance.
- Apparent autonomy does not necessarily indicate a weak central command or severed operational links.