Daily Incidents

Recent Publications

  • Karachi Violence Emblematic of Pakistan's Instability
    Reza Jan
    All is not well in Karachi, Pakistan. The murder of a senior political party worker on May 18 underscores the unrest wracking the city in the wake of recent elections, and showcases the tendency of political disputes in the nation's financial center to be played out in a violent manner.

  • Taliban Violence Mars Pakistan's Elections
    Reza Jan
    The Taliban's impact on elections in Pakistan has already been clearly visible. Its attacks have, intentionally or otherwise, helped amplify the voice of conservative parties that claim to seek to part Pakistan from its alliance with the U.S. and to open peace talks with the Taliban.

  • Pakistan Votes: The View from Karachi
    Reza Jan
    Pakistan voted on May 11, 2013 in general elections that saw former two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif emerge victorious. The polls are a significant departure from Pakistan's military coup-riddled history, though parts of the country did experience significant problems with voting.

  • Al Qaeda and its Affiliates in 2013
    Katherine Zimmerman
    Al Qaeda's threat to the U.S. did not end with Osama bin Laden.

Featured Topics

Challenges to America's Counterterrorism Strategy in Somalia

America’s counter-terrorism strategy in Somalia relies heavily on having a partner there that will continue to combat al Shabaab. Yet the Somali government’s sovereignty over its territory is far from complete, and faces significant challenges, especially in the south.

Drone Kills Top Taliban Leader and al Qaeda Ally Wali-ur-Rehman

Wali-ur-Rehman, top Pakistani Taliban leader and al Qaeda ally, was reportedly killed on May 29 in a U.S. drone strike. His death is a serious blow to the enemy and will have a significant impact on the Pakistani Taliban's leadership.

Maps and Graphics

Daily News Brief

Iran News Round Up

  • June 19, 2013
    List of rumored Rouhani cabinet candidates published; Hardline cleric advises Rouhani to reach out to clerics in Qom

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Pakistan Security Brief

  • June 19, 2013
    Karzai threatens to end peace talks as they begin; Obama says friction in Afghan peace talks is normal; Ceasefire to be addressed in Afghan peace talks; Release of Taliban prisoners aids peace talks; Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes talks; Five more die in Mardan bombings, death toll at 34; Indian troops kill Pakistani girl at border; TTP clash leaves 7 dead; Pakistan to seek $4.5 billion bailout from the IMF; Stocks rise on IMF visit; 6 people killed in Karachi; Body found in bags outside Islamabad; India allows cross examination of 2008 Mumbai witnesses; Iran will not penalize Pakistan on pipeline delays; Missing persons inquiry seeks to indict 117 security personnel; Frontier Corps must be subservient to government, says Senator; Nawaz Sharif meets with General Kayani; Lt. Col succumbs to IED wounds; Defense spending will not increase size of military, analysts claim; Balochistan cabinet sworn in; Zardari Swiss court case thrown out; PML-N member removed.

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Gulf of Aden Security Review

  • June 19, 2013
    Yemen: Suicide bomb attack in Sa’ada, Sa’ada governorate; government releases al Houthi prisoners in exchange for National Dialogue NDC participation; police find bomb in taxi; five years of tribal war end in Qayfa, al Bayda; special forces arrest nine. Horn of Africa: Al Shabaab launches complex attack on United Nations compound in Mogadishu; Somali, AMISOM and UN officials condemn attack on UN compound in Mogadishu; Somali and AMISOM troops clash with al Shabaab fighters outside Beledweyne, Hiraan region; unknown gunmen kill Somali soldier in Hodan district, Mogadishu; al Shabaab displays two defected Somali soldiers; U.S. officials say NSA surveillance program helped convict four al Shabaab fundraisers in San Diego, California; Somaliland government denies plane ability to land in its airspace.

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