Rukmini Callimachi

Rukmini Callimachi, a renowned terrorism and Islamic State correspondent for The New York Times, delves into the enigmatic life and controversial legacy of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The discussion reveals his radicalization journey, from a devout believer to an infamous ISIS leader. She highlights the chilling operations of ISIS and the complex U.S. efforts to eliminate him. Through this lens, they also touch on the importance of independent journalism in shedding light on hidden truths, especially regarding power dynamics and global stability.

Rukmini Callimachi, a renowned terrorism correspondent for The New York Times, dives deep into the legacy of Osama bin Laden and the rise of his son, Hamza. She unravels the grooming process Osama undertook to prepare Hamza as a successor within al-Qaeda. The discussion touches on their complex relationship and how Osama's death affected Hamza’s trajectory. Callimachi also examines al-Qaeda's leadership challenges and the broader implications of Hamza's reported demise on the fragmented landscape of extremism.