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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