The ongoing attack by al-Shabaab operatives at the University campus in Garissa in Kenya underscores once again the expanding Jihadist challenge to regional and global security interests. Indeed, the Somali-based terrorist movement seeks to establish a Salafi state in the country as well as an "Islamic Caliphate" worldwide. What is of particular concern is that al-Shabaab includes not only Somali nationals but also citizens of other countries, including, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, Finland, Sweden, and elsewhere.
The Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies (IUCTS) has conducted academic studies on al-Shabaab since it was formed in 2004. The latest publication that provides a threat assessment is "Terrorism on North Africa and the Sahel in 2014" released by the IUCTS in February 2015. Attached is a flyer on this timely report.
For an electronic copy of this study as well as requests for interviews on al-Shabaab, please contact Sharon Layani, Research Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Also, the Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studuies organized its 17th Annual Event on "International Cooperation in Combating Terrorism: Review of 2014 and Outlook for 2015" on March 30, 2015 at the National Press Club. Speakers included:
Michael S. Swetnam |
CEO and Chairman, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies |
Professor Yonah Alexander |
Director, Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies, and Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies |
Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins |
U.S. Department of State's Coordinator for Threat Reduction Program in the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation |
Dr. Alaa Abdalaziz |
Political Counselor, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the U.S. Former Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Syria (2012-2014) |
Wafa Bughaighis |
Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of Libya |
Ambassador Husain Haqqani |
Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States (2008-2011). Currently, Senior Fellow and Director for South and Central Asia at Hudson Institute |
Ambassador Theodore H. Kattouf |
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Syria; President and CEO of AMIDEAST |
Governor James S. Gilmore, III |
Served as the 68th governor of Virginia; President and CEO, Free Congress Foundation |
General (Ret.) Alfred Gray |
Twenty-Ninth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and Senior Fellow and Chairman of the Board of Regents, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies |
The seminar can be viewed at www.iucts.org or on C-SPAN. For further information, please call Potomac Institute for Policy Studies (703-525-0770) or the International Center for Terrorism Studies (703-562-4522 |