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Police disrupt Britain's Worst Act of Terrorism
Two men have been convicted for plotting an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack on Jewish communities in the north-west of England which aimed to kill hundreds of innocent people.
A Hamas Propaganda Masterpiece
Since October 7th 2023, Hamas has released two of its manifestos. This week, it released its second one yet, titled “A propaganda masterpiece, “Our Narrative - Al Aqsa Flood: Two Years of Steadfastness and the Will for Liberation”. The entire document is based on conspiracy and false narratives; and its content should be countered point-by-point to save the Palestinians.
R.N. Kao's Contribution to India's RAW
The first Indian National Security Advisor I met was R. N. Kao, who established India’s foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). As the research assistant to President Jayewardene, I met Mr Kao at his residence..
Islamic State - an attempt to revive?
Is the Islamic State reviving? This we know: Both the Islamic State and Al Qaeda affiliates received a boost after Israel responded to the Hamas-led massacre of October 7, 2023.
Israel's enduring Offensive & Defensive Capabilities
The updated Israeli defense structure reflects a strategic shift toward preparing for Iranian ballistic-missile threats, rather than primarily Gaza-based rocket fire. Iran is determined to produce a fully functional nuclear weapon and support its partners and proxies with missiles and drones.
Influx of foreign fighters to Africa
The influx of foreign terrorist fighters, particularly from Asia, into Africa’s conflict zones, such as the Islamic State East Africa Province, indicates the continent’s emergence as the new epicenter for global terrorism.
Apolitical Approach to Humanitarian Assistance
An apolitical approach to humanitarian assistance was embraced by Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah affected the island in December 2025. Both government and the opposition came together to rise above politics.
3rd QUAD Counterterrorism Working Group Meeting
The 3rd Quad Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG) meeting between India, Japan, Australia, and the United States was held in New Delhi on 04-05 December 2025.
New US National Security Strategy
Rather than dominate the world, US strategy under Trump is to intervene only when US interests are threatened or at risk. The US prioritized the Middle East, the prime theater of superpower competition, until 2011. However, with the rise of China and the U.S. pivot to Asia, Trump has made a comeback to the Middle East
Israel kills Hezbollah's New Chief of Staff
Now that Iran has started to rearm Hezbollah once again, Israel struck Lebanon’s capital on November 23, 2025. Without an evacuation warning, Israel struck Lebanon for the first time since June 2025, killing Hezbollah’s Chief of Staff Haitham Ali Tabataba’i.
Letter to Vatican Foreign Minister on your visit to Sri Lanka
Dear Foreign Minister Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Welcome to Sri Lanka! I am pleased to see that you have met the Prime Minister and that you will be visiting the Easter Sunday attack sites in Sri Lanka.
Trump comments on Nigeria presents an opportunity for peace in Africa
On November 2, 2025, the US President Donald J. Trump announced that he instructed the US Department of War to prepare for attacks in Nigeria - "if the Nigerian government continues to allow the murder of Christians."
IIJ's Steven Hill appointed as UN Assistant Secretary General for Legal Affairs
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Steven Hill of the United States as the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs.
The end game: A terror free Gaza
The IDF Air Force F16s bombing resumed strikes against Hamas amidst the ceasefire. When the Red Cross arrived, Hamas pretended to have just recovered the body from beneath the ground.
How the US government responded to Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday attack
The response of the United States of America especially the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday attack is a defining moment in the history of counter terrorism.
Recognizing global peace makers
His Excellency Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence Affairs, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee, Federal National Council UAE was Chief Guest at the Annual Summit of the Global Peace Institute (GPI) on October 9, 2025.
Don't be fooled by Hamas
With no regret, Hamas is viewed today and in the coming years as a group that damaged and destroyed the lives of people. Hamas patrons and supporters should understand that Hamas is NOT a resistance movement.
Trump: The war is over. Do you understand that?
Today, Monday Oct 13, 2025, President Donald J. Trump will convene “The Middle East Peace Plan" with 20 chiefs of state and heads of government in Egypt. In this article, I lay out President Trump's hopes while he heads this historic visit to the Middle East, and juxtapose it with the Hamas hopes and plans.
Declassifying the Oct 7 Files
After much destruction and devastation, The Trump Plan has brought hope of a temporary peace in Gaza. The promise of releasing all the living and deceased hostages held by Hamas and its allies created the conditions for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to stop bombing Hamas infrastructure on October 4, 2025.
Hamas to 'PAY IN HELL' if it rejects Gaza plan, says Trump
"The ideology of Hamas and its allies as well as its patrons contradict the spirit of the Trump plan! If Qatar compels Hamas to accept, the leadership is likely to relocate to Turkey, Iran, or as the last resort to Yemen.
Peace proposal takes shape
A pragmatic pathway to Palestinian statehood is in the making. After the unconditional recognition of the Palestinian statehood by Commonwealth and continental European leaders, there is still hope of Hamas-led groups in Gaza releasing the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire.
Ahmed Sharaa: The Transformation from a Terrorist to a World Leader
In his Q&A session with the Syrian leader Ahmed Al Sharaa in New York City on September 22, 2025, the former CIA director General General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.), conducted a motivational interview at the Concordia Summit. A brilliant and interesting interview,
Satellite imagery of Hamas target in Qatar
The world’s largest commercial satellite data provider Planet has captured the Hamas safe house in Qatar before and after it was attacked by Israel on September 9, 2025. The Israeli operation, codenamed “Fire Summit,” identified the target as “Judgement Assembly.”
Israel vows to eliminate Hamas leadership
PM Netanyahu on Sep 10, 2025 said: “I say to Qatar and to all the countries that provide shelter for terrorists: either expel them or bring them to justice. Because if you don’t do it, we will. Tomorrow is September 11. We remember September 11. On that day, Islamist terrorists committed the worst crime on American soil
9/11 and a brilliant leader who rose to the challenge of security
The Al Qaeda attack on the US homeland on September 11, 2001 (9/11) is the most devastating act of international terrorism. To protect the United States of America, the US government established the US Department of Homeland Security.
Israel attacks Hamas HQ in Qatar
Hamas leaders targeted represented nearly all of the remaining Hamas leaders. The Hamas leadership targeted in Qatar were: 1. Khalil al-Hayya - Head of Hamas in Gaza 2. Zaher Jabarin - Head of Hamas in the West Bank 3. Khaled Meshaal - Head of Hamas abroad
Israel assassinates Yemen's Houthi leadership
Israel believes that recognising Palestinian statehood after a horrific attack by Hamas will be construed as a reward for terrorism. Meanwhile, UAE and Saudi Arabia decided this week that if Israel annexes territories in Judea and Samaria, withdrawal from the Abraham Accords will be on the table
Israel assassinates Yemen's Houthi leadership
This was a precise action exploiting a narrow intelligence window. The strike on the Houthi leadership was carried out at long range by an Air Force unit with Military Intelligence support. Israel has said it is preparing for possible retaliation from Yemen.
The problem with the Pro-Palestine Movement
There is a problem with the Pro-Palestinian Movement. In its current form, it will do nothing for the Palestinian cause except continue to lend credence to a fanatical, death-cult like Hamas to rule over Gaza.
"We will find you, and we will kill you."
A renewed offensive began on February 1, 2025, but the Islamic State East Africa Province (ISEAP) has expanded from Somalia to neighbouring Puntland. With links to the Middle East, ISEAP has established dozens of bases...
Somalia Army eliminates Al Shabab leader Moallim
Hussein Moallim Hassan, a key figure in the al-Shabab terrorist group for over 15 years and one of its most wanted senior leaders, was killed by the Somalia Armed Forces.
Journalist, Terrorist, or Both?
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF), about a year ago found a computer in the Gaza Strip with the entire Hamas manpower database. The details of Anas al-Sharif, 28, were found in this database.
Africa: The Emerging Epicenter of Terrorism
The silent genocide in Africa by the Islamic State and Al Qaeda is escalating. Islamic State operations in the past 12 months have resulted in 4,943 casualties worldwide including 3,720 in Africa alone.
Your Travel Guide to the 6 Reports on the Easter Sunday Attack
I have created a short post with links to download all 6 reports of the Easter Sunday Attack to help anyone interested in researching the matter.
The question of commemoration: Remembrance Day 2024
Publicly commemorating terrorist leaders like Prabhakaran and Zahran risks politicization, radicalization, and new waves of terror and its already happening.
Why Hamas must be dismantled
To the outside world, Hamas presents itself as a resistance movement fighting against a powerful and oppressive enemy. However, the reality is far more sinister.
Onboard 'INS Delhi': Indian Navy Eastern Fleet in Singapore
o me, the Indian Ocean Region is a strategic frontier. If there is geopolitical rivalry between India and China or the U.S. and China, it will ruin the peace of the Indian Ocean.
Lessons from 9/11
The immediate response from the U.S. government was swift: a military invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle the Taliban regime that had harbored Al-Qaeda, the group responsible for the attacks.
In the Press
Latest Press Releases
Kashmir is a Wonderland. An Attack shows it is also a Cradle of Despair
The attack was a monumental security lapse for a government that had heavily promoted Kashmir as a dream destination for tourists, thinking that “militants would not attack tourists because they are so integral to the local economy,” Dr. Gunaratna said.
Al-Qaeda takes center stage in Padilla Trial
Al-Qaeda took center stage Monday in the Jose Padilla terrorism support trial as a prosecution expert witness described the origins of the organization led by Osama bin Laden and blamed for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
New York Officials get Advice from an Expert on Al-Qaeda
Since U.S. intervention in Afghanistan in October 2001, I have examined several tens of thousands of documents recovered from Al Qaeda and Taliban sources. In addition to listening to 240 tapes taken from Al Qaeda's central registry, I debriefed several Al Qaeda and Taliban detainees.
Iraq and Al-Qaeda: No evidence of Alliance
Rohan Gunaratna was Senior Fellow at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point when he briefed the US government at the request of Brigadier General Russ Howard, Director, Combating Terrorism Centre at West Point. However, the US disregarded the intelligence and decided to invade Iraq.
Monitoring financial flows key in fight against terrorism: Experts
Dr. Rohan Gunaratna highlights the critical role of monitoring financial flows in combating terrorism at the 2nd Counter Terrorism Financing Summit in Bali, he emphasizes how financial intelligence disrupts terrorist networks, praising Indonesia’s regional leadership and multi-sector collaboration in the fight against terror.
Tallberg Foundation Podcast: The Worry List / Dr. Rohan Gunaratna
Listen to the compelling interview with Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, a globally recognized terrorism expert, as he warns of a rising terrorist threat in 2025 on the Talberg Foundation podcast with host Alan Stoga.
AI in the global security landscape
The Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) presents its interview with Prof. Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, on the role of AI in the global security landscape, its ethical and security risks, its impact on international collaborations, and the strategic opportunities it offers in counterterrorism.
The Islamic State Sri Lanka Branch Revives
This article was published in the Ceylon Today news paper by Rohan Gunaratna and it highlights the details of an ISIS resurgence in Sri Lanka after the Easter Attack.
Bali II: Will it be a Turning Point?
This ARI reviews the measures being taken, in addition to those that ought to be adopted, for Indonesia to develop a satisfactory response to the threat of Islamist terrorism following the bomb attack in Bali on 1 October 2005.
Q&A: ISIS in Southeast Asia
Interview with Maria Ressa on the threat of ISIS and its growth in Indonesia.
The Evolving Role of Think Tanks in Countering Extremism and Terrorism
SEARCCT's selection of articles vol 1, a deep dive into The evolving role of think tanks in Countering Extremism and Terrorism.
Terrorism Expert Rohan Gunaratna to Headline MonTREP Conference
Exploring the possible links between terrorism and international criminal cartels is the focus of a conference hosted by the Monterey Terrorism Research & Education Program (MonTREP). The keynote speaker will be Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, a world-renowned specialist on the global threat environment.
Can The World Prevent The Israeli Annexation Of Gaza? – OpEd
Explore how the world can prevent the Israeli annexation of Gaza and the critical steps needed for Middle East peace after the October 7th attacks.
Research & Resources
Latest research
Terrorist rehabilitation: a global imperative
Dr. Rohan Gunaratna’s paper, 'Terrorist Rehabilitation: A Global Imperative,' explores the critical need for rehabilitating terrorists to counter radicalization and extremism worldwide. It advocates for a global regime integrating ideological, theological, and social strategies to reintegrate detainees and prevent future threats.
Our Eyes Initiative Concept Paper
The "Our Eyes" initiative addresses the impact of non-traditional security threats, focusing on terrorism, radicalism, and violent extremism in ASEAN. It emphasizes strategic information exchange among defense establishments, utilizing existing secure platforms.
The Globalisation of Middle Eastern Terrorism
Contemporary global terrorism has its roots to Middle East, especially starting from 1960s. this paper portrays how terrorism in the Middle East has its ramifications all around world making it globalized by collecting data from qualitative methods such as interviews, statements, books, journal articles, websites etc.
Gujarat Police Report on 4 Sri Lankan ISIS Members
Deputy Superintendent of Police of the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) Gujarat received credible information that four Sri Lankan citizens are conspiring to carry out a terrorist attack in India. In this press release the Gujarat Police outline all the details of this arrest. This box will describe the report briefly and explain a bit.
Book Resources
Latest Book Resources
All the Reports of the Easter Sunday attack
I have compiled here below a link to download all of the different Easter Sunday Reports as I have found that most websites that host them are unreliable and people find it hard to find all reports in one place.
Handbook of Terrorism in Africa: An Overview
Rohan Gunaratna first visited Africa when he was 16 years old. Every summer over three years, he explored the Sahara. As an adult, he visited Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somaliland, Ghana, and Kenya together with colleagues.
Exclusive Documentary Video of Zahran's Manifesto
This video shows Zahran's violent manifesto and what motivated him commit the Sri Lanka Easter Sunday Attacks.
Chronology - Easter Sunday Massacre
Excerpt from ‘Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre: Lessons for the International Community’ published by Penguin depicting the key events in order.
Reviews by Prof Gunaratna
Book Reviews
Book review: Terrorism Financing and State Responses Edited by Jeanne K. Giraldo & Harold A. Trinkunas
[The authors] plumb the murky financial infrastructures and processes of such terrorist organizations as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Herein lies the book's value.
