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Our CEO Laith Alkhouri appeared on Katy Tur Reports on MSNBC in discussion on the terrorist attack at Crocus music hall in Moscow, which was claimed by ISIS. Laith discussed the intelligence failure and the growing threat of ISIS, emphasizing that the group strives to generate publicity and capitalizes on political turmoil to expand.

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with The Associated Press the recent demand by the Malian government of the MINUSMA peacekeeping troops to leave the country, indicating that "“It’s a grim development" and it "appears to be a result of the junta’s aspirations to keep a tight grip on power, as well as a response to increasing public pressure after multiple protests.” 

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with The Associated Press the recent reported mass killing of civilians in Burkina Faso's north on the hands of security forces, indicating that "The reported human rights abuses advance the playbook of militants, it gives them talking points against the security forces and helps their recruitment efforts in the north. This is an awful recipe of consequences."

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with Nikkei Asia the prospects of attacks by the ISIS network in Afghanistan against the West, and what sort of external operations capabilities the group possesses, indicating that "if ISIS-K related attacks do occur in Europe or North America, they would likely be more inspired instead of orchestrated."

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with The Associated Press the  release of French journalist Olivier Debois and US aid worker Jeffrey Woodke after years in captivity by terrorist networks in West Africa, indicating that "although it remained unclear what led to the releases, it might not be a coincidence that the hostages’ freedom came after Blinken visited Niger and offered millions of dollars in aid.

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with BBC Arabic Podcast host Shereen Shereif various aspects of the Deep and Dark Web, touching on topics including the differences between them, what they are used for, the types of criminals lurking there, and why they are considered dangerous cyber environments.

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with Nikkei Asia the aims of terrorist and separatist groups in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region & why they would target Chinese nationals in the regions, indicating that "On the one hand [they] score attack points, and on the other it's a factor to grow their extremist base."

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with The Associated Press the killing of over 70 soldiers in northern Burkina Faso in a terrorist group ambush, indicating that "there’s a persistent stream of militant attacks north of the country and the public is undoubtedly taking notice of their government’s inability to provide security."

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with The Associated Press the kidnapping of dozens of women by armed terrorists in northern Burkina Faso, indicating, "Abductions are an easy way to score points and a bargaining card. These tactics are meant to add pressure on the government to provide concessions."

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri's post reporting the latest pledge of allegiance by Azawagh tribes in Mali's Menaka Region to Al-Qaeda in the Sahel (JNIM) was featured in the Arabic language media Akhbar Al-Aan report on the news. 

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri was quoted by the Swedish media outlet MSN on the motivations behind armed terrorists kidnapping of 50 women in northern Burkina Faso. 

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with The Associated Press the Al-Qaeda attacks that reportedly killed 14 Malian soldiers, indicating that the high casualty count underscores an untiring effort of extremist groups to weaken any remaining resolve of Malian soldiers.

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with The Associated Press the Malian junta's pardon of the 49 detained Ivorian soldiers who were charged with undermining Mali’s state security and conspiracy against the government.

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with UnHerd the current and potential utilization of Twitter by threat actors after Elon Musk acquired Twitter, indicating that while no uptick has been observed, content moderation is essential to ensure that ISIS supporters and others don't return to the platform

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri discussed with The Associated Press the negative impact Burkina Faso could face if the Junta employs Wagner mercenary group to stem the tide of violence in the restive country, including the group potentially operating with impunity

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri spoke with The Associated Press about the latest release of German hostage Jorg Lange in Niger, indicating that taking hostages has proven to be a lucrative business that bankrolls terrorist groups, but also amps their notoriety.

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri was a featured expert panelist on The Red Line Podcast's Twitter Spaces event and discussed the current state of Afghanistan after the US withdrawal and the latest killing of Al-Qaeda leader Al-Zawahiri, and what the future of Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups looks like in the region.

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri made a live appearance on MSNBC to discuss the United States drone strike that killed the evasive Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri. Laith indicated that the US kept its fingers on the pulse after its withdrawal from Afghanistan as fears of an al-Qaeda revival were actualizing. He added that the killing Zawahiri shouldn't constitute "a victory dance" and that this is a small win as Al-Qaeda and others continue to pose danger to the homeland and US interests and personnel abroad. 

The junta will continue discussions with those who were unable to attend the meeting, he said.

The junta’s message of “forgive and forget” isn’t going to be accepted easily by the public, said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory.

“This urgent meeting has proven unsuccessful thus far, and it is, if anything, eroding the already fragile public trust in the governing junta,” he said.

Analysts say the Boucle du Mouhoun region, where the attacks took place on Sunday, has become a centre for militants as violence once focused on the east and north regions has expanded west.

“The latest attack in north-western Burkina Faso is another link to the chain of uncontainable terror that’s plagued the Sahel for the past two years,” said Laith Alkhouri, chief executive of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, which provides analysis.

“It should urge the de facto government to act and seek international security support to stem the violence."

Analysts say the Boucle du Mouhoun region where the attacks took place Sunday has become a hub for militants as violence once focused on the east and north regions has expanded west.

“The latest attack in northwestern Burkina Faso is another link to the chain of uncontainable terror that’s plagued the Sahel for the past two years,” said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, which provides intelligence analysis. “It should urge the de facto government to act and seek international security support to stem the violence,” he said.

Blockading cities is a tactic used by jihadis to assert dominance and could also be an attempt to get Burkina Faso’s new military junta, which seized power in January, to backtrack on promises to eliminate the jihadis, said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, a group that provides intelligence analysis.  “Militants resort to blockading when they see an opportunity to gain incentives in negotiating with the government and simultaneously send a message to their base that they are in control. It’s a bargaining card and a winning one,” he said.

The faster cadence and sophistication of the violence could mean that militants are exploiting public divide after the junta’s takeover, say conflict analysts. “The new attack signals a rising tide of militancy in Burkina Faso’s north and raises concerns about the expanding reach of terrorist groups who are undoubtedly making the junta’s job of securing the country ever more difficult,” said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, which provides intelligence analysis.

Conflict analysts say the indiscriminate attacks signal a persistent militant campaign and cast doubts on the administration’s ability to contain and subdue the jihadis, said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, which provides intelligence analysis. “It’s a task that’ll likely define their governance,” he said.

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri coauthored a piece for Militant Wire profiling a nascent pro-ISIS media unit with surface and Dark Web fingerprints, providing media support for the terror group and using crypto-wallets for terror fundraising. Read the full analysis.

“It might be showcasing a more lenient approach to stem the potential for a civilian outcry over it seizing power,” said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, which provides intelligence analysis. “It might also signify...

Our CEO Laith Alkhouri is quoted in EFE Noticias on ISIS confirmation of the death of its late leader and the appointment of a new leader, what it means for the future of ISIS and what to expect from here on.

The latest attacks in Benin raise concerns about the potential spread of militant violence spilling over from the Sahel region,” said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory.

Speaking on the group’s origins and operating methods, Laith Alkhouri, counterterrorism specialist and CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, assesses that:  Al-Saqri Foundation technically emerged in 2018 on the encrypted communications platform Telegram. Its material has been wholly focused on advancing the militant knowledge base of jihadists

Some conflict experts say three years is too long and could allow the junta to cement its grasp on the country while using the jihadi insurgency as a reason to stay in power, said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory.

The attack signifies a continued rise of extremist violence in the Sahel, the region south of the Sahara Desert, said Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory.

“We still don’t have the whole story,” Laith Alkhouri, a global intelligence adviser, told The Associated Press. “It raises concerns regarding the security forces’ assessment of the clashes and their intelligence regarding the severity of the situation.”

CEO Laith Alkhouri speaks with Campbell McDiarmid from The Telegraph on the future of terrorism in the AfPak region after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan post withdrawal of US troops.

Laith Alkhouri, counterterrorism analyst, talks with Rachel Maddow about the origins of ISIS-K, how the U.S. gathers intelligence about them, and the complex enmity between ISIS-K and the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Amidst a global pandemic, the country’s leading ISIS propaganda analyst, Laith AlKhouri, says the jihadists’ main objective is to sow the seeds of mistrust of government—including by spreading disinformation and malign information —while simultaneously using unfolding events to substantiate their view of the world and validate their predictions.

While security forces are targets, under-guarded prisons could be too, said Laith Alkhouri, a counterterrorism adviser. Both IS and al-Qaida-linked fighters have turned the Sahel into Africa’s most urgent extremism crisis, and even have engaged in some unprecedented cooperation.  Their fighters are likely to exploit the pandemic by accusing governments of mismanaging the...

“Iraq remains the most pivotal area for IS. It’s the group’s centre of gravity. It must maintain a level of notoriety in Iraq to uplift the morale of its global affiliates,” said Laith Alkhouri, an intelligence adviser who has spent years analysing IS activities in Iraq and Syria. “The organisation has been resurging as a network of small groups in areas it previously operated in, which...

“We still don’t have the whole story,” Laith Alkhouri, a global intelligence adviser, told The Associated Press. “It raises concerns regarding the security forces’ assessment of the clashes and their intelligence regarding the severity of the situation.”

Paying ransoms is dangerous as it fuels pirates and bandits and “plays directly into their hands and feeds their playbook,” said Laith Alkhouri, an intelligence specialist. “Governments must become proactive in preventing hostage-taking attacks, whether against vessels, journalists or activists, including intelligence sharing on flashpoint areas and increased maritime and border security measures,” he said.

Some Burkina Faso observers say Kabore might be sending a public message conveying political dominance.  “What’s more clear of a message than reviving a case, one that has plagued Burkina Faso’s political stage for decades?” said Laith Alkhouri, a global intelligence advisor.

Extremists are kidnapping westerners in the Sahel region to “advance their goals, whether for ransom, for the spotlight, or to amp up the pressure on local and international governments,” said Laith Alkhouri, a counterterrorism specialist. “Militant factions will continue to resort to kidnappings as it has proven advantageous for their operations in West Africa,” he said

Under-guarded prisons could also be targets as well as security forces, according to counterterrorism advisor Laith Alkhouri. Both IS and al-Qaida-linked fighters have turned the Sahel into Africa’s most urgent extremism crisis. 

He said their fighters are likely to exploit the pandemic by accusing governments of mismanaging the crisis in an attempt to win popular support.