Generation Jihad
FDD's Long War Journal
The war against Islamic Jihadism is defining generations. It was our father’s war, it’s our war, and will most likely be our children’s war. The FDD' s Long War Journal team has been researching and reporting for over two decades on the jihadists fueling this terror. “Generation Jihad” features LWJ Editors Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss as they diagnose the black and white motivations behind the world’s most notorious terrorists, report on their expanding malign activities, and offer their prescriptions for confronting the multi-generational menace that is Islamic Jihadism.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 21, 2025 • 41min
The Houthi headache
FDD's Brad Bowman and Bridget Toomey catch Bill up on the latest cluster of developments related to the Houthis — from the ceasefire initiated by President Trump and possible consequences for U.S.-Israel relations to the role of Iran in the ongoing conflict.
May 16, 2025 • 46min
A terrorist in a suit is... still a terrorist
Bradley Bowman and David Adesnik join Bill to unpack the U.S. decision to legitimize Ahmed al-Shara (AKA Jolani), the ex-al-Qaeda leader now heading HTS in Syria; other regional players seeking influence in the Syria vacuum, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia; and broader U.S. policy failures in Syria.
Apr 19, 2025 • 33min
Trump's Iran Gambit
Bill, Behnam, and Janatan dive into the high-stakes complexities of U.S.-Iran relations, unpacking President Trump’s dual-track approach of military readiness and diplomatic outreach to the Islamic Republic. They discuss Iran’s internal reactions to U.S. policy shifts, Saudi Arabia’s cautious recalibration toward Tehran, and intensifying military pressure on the Houthis.
Apr 16, 2025 • 36min
No balance, much struggle: Power in the Middle East
Bill, David, and Ahmad deep dive into the volatile politics of the Middle East, from Jelani’s controversial role in Syria to sectarian tensions in Iraq and Hezbollah under pressure, the balance of power across the region is fragile.
Apr 9, 2025 • 52min
Problems without peaceful solutions
Bill, David, and Joe break down the latest flashpoints across Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza—examining the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, Israel’s evolving military operations and campaigns against Hezbollah and Hamas, the Lebanese government’s stalled efforts to disarm Hezbollah, and the growing discontent in Gaza as protests against Hamas intensify.
Apr 7, 2025 • 41min
Looking at the Sunni side of the aisle
Bill and Caleb discuss updates from "the Sunni side of the aisle," including Washington's policy pivot on the Haqqani Network, the U.S. military's airstrike strategy in Somalia, the Turkestan Islamic Party's rebranding attempt, the recent death of a key Islamic State leader, and Shabaab's current operations.
Mar 17, 2025 • 42min
Conflict update from Jonathan Conricus
Joe Truzman speaks with Jonathan Conrikis about the complexities of conflicts consuming the Middle East, from the aftermath of the Hamas-led, Iran-backed October 7 attacks and role of the media in shaping narratives to the situation in the West Bank and failures of UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.
Mar 14, 2025 • 32min
Conflict in Syria Continues
Ahmad Sharawi joins Bill for an update on Syria's ongoing conflict, including:The recent Alawite insurgency against the government led by Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani,The role of jihadist groups and involvement of the Syrian National Army and Syrian Democratic Forces,Israel's position on minority protection in Syria, andThe feasibility of military action in the region.
Feb 28, 2025 • 51min
On Iran's Military Threat with Janatan Sayeh
Bill is joined by his FDD colleague and Long War Journal contributor Janatan Sayeh to unpack Iran’s various spheres of influence and threats posed not least of all by their military capabilities from drone technology and nuclear enrichment to increasingly close cooperation with Moscow and Beijing.
7 snips
Feb 14, 2025 • 1h 16min
Status update on global jihad
In this discussion, Edmund Fitton-Brown, a Senior Advisor at the Counter-Extremism Project and former UN ambassador, sheds light on the latest UN report about global jihadism. He delves into the complexities of terrorist monitoring, revealing insights on al-Qaeda and ISIS dynamics. Topics also include the alarming rise of foreign fighters in East Africa and increasing jihadi threats amid shifting military alliances in the Sahel. Furthermore, he examines the intricate landscape of militant networks in Yemen, detailing their implications for global security.
