JihadPod
34 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsThe show is hosted by Aaron Zelin, founder of Jihadology.net and will feature interviews with experts in the field of jihadi studies and analysis of jihadi primary source material.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
XXXII. Y'all Know Me, Still The Same O.G.
March 16, 2020 23:00 - 51 seconds - 1.56 MBJihadPod is back. In light of the Coronavirus, I'm going to teach myself how to edit and produce this. Be patient if the quality is not perfect, but I know people are looking for content now.
XXXI. Nashids: History and Cultural Meaning with Behnam Said
February 29, 2016 17:00 - 36 minutes - 25 MBBehnam Said comes on the show to talk about nasheeds. Some of the topics covered include: The role of music in Islam and how it relates to nasheeds A modern history of the use of nasheeds Differences between Sufi, mainstream Islamist, and jihadi nasheeds Different themes used in these nasheeds Why there has been such an explosion in new nasheeds and media outlets from IS and AQAP recently. Links: Behnam Said – Extremis Project Amazon.com author page for Behnam Said Hymns (Nas...
XXX. al-Qaeda’s Franchising Strategy with Barak Mendelsohn
February 02, 2016 17:00 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBBarak Mendelsohn comes on the show to discuss his new book, The al-Qaeda Franchise: The Expansion of al-Qaeda and Its Consequences. Some of the topics covered include: How organizations expand Why AQ decided to branch out and the strategy behind that decision AQ’s choices on where to expand Case studies on AQ’s different branches. Links The al-Qaeda Franchise: The Expansion of al-Qaeda and Its Consequences: Barak Mendelsohn Amazon.com Barak Mendelsohn (@BarakMendelsohn) | Twitter...
XXIX. Islamic State Networks In Turkey with Aaron Stein
January 20, 2016 17:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBAaron Stein comes on the show to talk about IS networks in Turkey. Some of the topics covered include: How IS developed its network inside Turkey Recent attacks in Ankara and Istanbul and the networks behind them How these attacks have affected Turkish governmental policy How things could play out in the future Links: The Islamic State’s Network in Turkey | Turkey Wonk Turkish Jihadism at Home and in Syria with North Caucasus Caucus | Jihadology Turkey Wonk: Nuclear and Politi...
XXVIII. The Malian Jihadi Landscape with Andrew Lebovich
January 12, 2016 17:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBAndrew Lebovich comes on the show to discuss the various jihadi groups that have been active in Mali over the past few years. Some of the topics covered include: The political process in Mali after the French intervention Why there has been a rise in violence recently Why IS has not been able to penetrate Mali like many of the other jihadi zones Where things might be going from here Links Andrew Lebovich | European Council on Foreign Relations Andrew Lebovich (@tweetsintheME) | T...
XXVII. A History of Lebanese Sunni Jihadism with Bernard Rougier
December 21, 2015 17:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBBernard Rougier comes on the show to discuss Lebanese Sunni jihadism. Some of the topics covered include: How Lebanese first got involved in jihadism in Afghanistan in the 1980s How the Lebanese scene became connected to the European and Australian jihadi network The role the Iraq war played in the mobilization and recruitment of a new generation Background on Fatah al-Islam The role Lebanese Sunni jihadis have played in the Syrian war and spillover attacks back home. Links The S...
XXVI. Reality of The Islamic State’s Finances and Economy with Aymenn al-Tamimi
December 15, 2015 17:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBAymenn al-Tamimi comes on the show for an in-depth discussion of the Islamic State’s finances and economic situation. Some of the topics covered include: IS funding prior to 2013 How IS funding compares to AQ Current funding streams, particularly those that are less well known Evolution of IS’ economy in the past year and a half Potential for IS to export its economic model to its provinces outside Iraq and Syria Sustainability of IS finances and its near to medium-term trajectory...
XXVI. Reality of The Islamic State’s Finances and Economy with Aymenn al-Tamimi
December 15, 2015 17:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBAymenn al-Tamimi comes on the show for an in-depth discussion of the Islamic State’s finances and economic situation. Some of the topics covered include: IS funding prior to 2013 How IS funding compares to AQ Current funding streams, particularly those that are less well known Evolution of IS’ economy in the past year and a half Potential for IS to export its economic model to its provinces outside Iraq and Syria Sustainability of IS finances and its near to medium-term trajectory...
XXV. Americans in the Islamic State with Lorenzo Vidino and Seamus Hughes
December 07, 2015 17:00 - 28 minutes - 19.2 MBLorenzo Vidino and Seamus Hughes come on the show to talk about their new report ISIS in America: From Retweets to Raqqa. Some of the topics covered include: Background on the American jihadi scene The demographics of Americans who’ve traveled to join the Islamic State The three roles American Islamic State supporters play on social media Links: ISIS in America | Center for Cyber & Homeland Security | The George Washington University Seamus Hughes (@SeamusHughes) | Twitter Select...
XXIV. The History, Legacy, and Relevance of Algerian Jihadism Today with Dalia Ghanem-Yazbeck
December 01, 2015 17:00 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBDalia Ghanem-Yazbeck comes on the show to talk about jihadism in Algeria. Some of the topics covered include: Background and history of jihadism in Algeria The growth of GIA networks in Europe and its legacy Why there haven’t been many Algerian foreign fighters in Syria Similarities and differences between the GIA and the Islamic State The current status of jihadism in Algeria and Algerian jihadists abroad. The interview starts at the 34:00 minute mark. Prior to the interview we ha...
XXIII. The Syrian Jihad: A History with Charles Lister
November 23, 2015 17:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBCharles Lister comes back on the show for an in-depth discussion on jihadism in Syria. Some of the topics covered include: Islamism and jihadism in Syria prior to the 2011 uprising The entrance and evolution of Jabhat al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, and Jaysh al-Islam into what became the Syrian war Why foreign fighters came into the Syrian conflict Why the Islamic State of Iraq decided to enter the war in April 2013 and what it was up to prior to the fitness in January 2014 What the growt...
XXII. Emergency Pod: Background on The Paris Attacks with Timothy Holman
November 16, 2015 17:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MBIn light of the recent attacks in Paris, Timothy Holman comes on the show to discuss the history of French and Belgian jihadi networks. Some of the topics covered include: How those networks have been repurposed over time depending on changing political contexts and external conflicts The legacy of these networks after the Iraq war How the latest attacks in Paris fit into a pattern of plots and attacks in France since 2012 Links: Belgian and French Foreign Fighters in Iraq 2003–2005...
XXI. Islamist Militancy in Bangladesh: Then & Now with C. Christine Fair
November 11, 2015 17:00 - 33 minutes - 23.1 MBC. Christine Fair comes on the show to talk about Islamism in Bangladesh. Some of the topics covered include: History of Islamism in Bangladesh and its intersection with mainstream politics The role of Bangladeshi Islamists with Rohingya refugees History of al-Qaeda’s involvement in Bangladesh and its newest enterprise through Ansar al-Islam What we know about recent Islamic State attacks in Bangladesh Links: Fighting to the End: The Pakistan Army’s Way of War Think Again: Islam...
XX. The State of Jihadism in Somalia: al-Shabab and The Islamic State with Harun Maruf
November 02, 2015 17:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBHarun Maruf comes on the show to discuss jihadism in Somalia. Some of the topics covered include: What al-Shabab has been up to since the Westgate Mall attack in Kenya Background on al-Shabab’s leader Ahmad Umar and how he compares with its former leader Ahmed Abdi Godane The state of foreign fighters in Somalia The status of The Islamic State’s efforts in Somalia Links: Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) | Twitter Harun Maruf – Reporter bio – VOA News This episode also has a new #Social...
XIX. Jihadism in the Land of the Pharaohs with Mokhtar Awad
October 26, 2015 16:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBMokhtar Awad comes on the show to discuss jihadism in Egypt. Some of the topics covered include: The development of jihadism in the Sinai prior to the Egyptian uprising in January 2011 What jihadi individuals and movements were doing between the 2011 uprising and the coup in July 2013 A deep dive on Jama’at Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) How ABM has changed since it became Wilayat Sinai of the Islamic State The role of IS’ provinces in Libya in the Western Desert of Egypt Background o...
XIX. Jihadism in the Land of the Pharaohs with Mokhtar Awad
October 26, 2015 16:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MBMokhtar Awad comes on the show to discuss jihadism in Egypt. Some of the topics covered include: The development of jihadism in the Sinai prior to the Egyptian uprising in January 2011 What jihadi individuals and movements were doing between the 2011 uprising and the coup in July 2013 A deep dive on Jama’at Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) How ABM has changed since it became Wilayat Sinai of the Islamic State The role of IS’ provinces in Libya in the Western Desert of Egypt Background o...
XVIII. Jihadi Governance 101 with Will McCants
October 14, 2015 16:00 - 55 minutes - 38.2 MBWill McCants comes on the show to talk about jihadi governance. The conversation is based on a chapter in his new book The ISIS Apocalypse: The History, Strategy, and Doomsday Vision of the Islamic State. Aaron and Will discussed numerous cases of jihadi groups attempts to govern, including the Islamic State of Iraq, al-Shabab, AQAP, AQIM, Jabhat al-Nusra, and the Islamic State. This episode also features a Primary Sources segment covering releases from August 14-September 19 and a #Social...
XVII. The Khurasan Group: Myth and Reality with Thomas Joscelyn
October 07, 2015 16:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBThomas Joscelyn comes on the show to talk about the so-called “Khurasan group.” Some of the topics covered include: Why the group came into being and when its members arrived in Syria Who are the key players and what are their backgrounds What they’ve been up to in Syria and how they relate to Jabhat al-Nusra What this group of individuals can tell us about al-Qaeda’s strategy Links: Thomas Joscelyn (@thomasjoscelyn) | Twitter The Long War Journal | A Project of the Foundation fo...
XVI. Don’t Call It a Comeback, AQAP’s Been Here for Years with Katherine Zimmerman
September 28, 2015 16:00 - 42 minutes - 29.1 MBKatherine Zimmerman comes on the show to talk AQAP. Some of the topics covered include: AQAP since the death of Awlaqi and their withdrawal from territory in southern Yemen in 2012 The effect of the rise of the Huthis and how the Saudi/Emirati war in Yemen has affected AQAP AQAP’s local outreach and how it compares to what it tried from 2011-2012 How drone attacks on AQAP leadership have affected the group The Islamic State’s activities in Yemen and what they mean for AQAP Links: ...
XV. Saddam’s Regime: From Ba’athism to Salafism with Kyle Orton
September 17, 2015 16:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBKyle Orton comes on the show to discuss Islam in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Some of the topics covered include: Saddam’s Islamist foreign policy reorientation in the 1980’s The Faith Campaign after the Gulf War Salafism in Iraq in the 1990’s and its impact on security The rise of sectarianism in Iraq This episode also features a #SocialMedia segment covering jihadi social media postings from September 1st-16th. Recent articles by Kyle that are relevant to the discussion: Saddam and t...
XIV. Turkish Jihadism at Home and in Syria with North Caucasus Caucus
August 31, 2015 16:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBNorth Caucasus Caucus comes on the show to talk about his recent research trip to Turkey. He and Aaron discussed the evolution of Turkish governmental policy towards jihadis, Turks’ role in jihadi groups and IS in Syria and Turkey, Turkey’s arrest campaign against Jabhat al-Nusra and IS, and more. This episode also features a #SocialMedia segment covering jihadi social media posts from August 17th to August 31st. We’re working on a special series on the state of Jihadi Studies, and we ne...
XIII. Palestinians and Global Jihad with Samar Batrawi
August 17, 2015 16:00 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MBThis episode features an interview with Samar Batrawi on Palestinians and the global jihadi movement. Some of the topics Aaron and Samar discussed include: Tensions, or lack thereof, between Palestinian nationalism and global jihadi ideology Background and history of Palestinian jihadism Palestinians and the Islamic State What the global jihadi movement means for local Palestinian politics This episode also features a discussion of jihadi primary sources, covering releases from July ...
XII. The Islamic State and Attacks in the West with Thomas Hegghammer
August 10, 2015 16:00 - 51 minutes - 35.3 MBThomas Hegghammer talks to Aaron about his new paper, “Assessing the Islamic State’s Commitment to Attacking the West,” in Perspectives on Terrorism, co-authored with Petter Nesser. This episode also features our #SocialMedia segment, covering posts from August 3rd to August 9th. Links: Perspectives on Terrorism Vol 9, No 4 (2015) – featuring papers by Thomas, Aaron, and many more. The journal is open source, so no subscription is required. Thomas Hegghammer (@Hegghammer) | Twitter Fr...
XI. ‘Boko Haram’ Transitions to The Islamic State in West Africa with Jacob Zenn
August 04, 2015 16:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBIn this episode Aaron talks to Jacob Zenn about the group commonly referred to as Boko Haram. They covered a variety of topics including: Background on Wilayat Gharb Ifriqiyya Misuse of the term Boko Haram to describe what is now called Wilayat Gharb Ifriqiyya, but previously was Jama’at Ahl al-Sunnah li-l-Da’wah wa-l-Jihad Process that led Jama’at Ahl al-Sunnah li-l-Da’wah wa-l-Jihad to pledge bay’a to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and become Wilayat Gharb Ifriyya of The Islamic State? Curren...
X. Emergency Pod: The Death of Mullah Omar and It's Implications with J.M. Berger
July 30, 2015 16:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBIn this emergency podcast Aaron talks to J.M. Berger about the confirmed death of Mullah Omar. They covered a variety of topics related to his death and what it could mean for the broader Islamic State – Al Qaeda war. We also have a new #SocialMedia segment, covering postings from July 22-28. Links: J.M. Berger (@intelwire) | Twitter Mullah Omar and the AQ-ISIS War by J.M. Berger on IntelWire ISIS: The State of Terror: Jessica Stern, J. M. Berger Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to Wa...
IX. The Emergence of the Islamic State in AfPak with Don Rassler (Part 2)
July 23, 2015 16:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MBThis episode features part 2 of Aaron’s conversation with Don Rassler. If you haven’t heard part 1 you can find it here. This two part series is based on Don’s article, “Situating the Emergence of the Islamic State of Khorasan,” in the CTC Sentinel. This episode covers a variety of topics related to the Islamic State in the AfPak region, including: Important events since Don’s article came out in March The relevance of the Afghan Taliban to younger generations How the Islamic Movement o...
VIII. The Emergence of the Islamic State in AfPak with Don Rassler (Part 1)
July 20, 2015 16:00 - 34 minutes - 23.9 MBThis episode features part one of an interview with Don Rassler based on his article “Situating the Emergence of the Islamic State of Khorasan,” for the CTC Sentinel. This part of the conversation covers the development of the Islamic State’s presence in the AfPak region, as well as relevant groups and individuals in the region. This episode also covers jihadi primary source material released from June 25th-July 17th. Links: Mr. Don Rassler | Combating Terrorism Center at West Point D...
VII. The Western Women of ISIS with Erin Saltman
July 14, 2015 16:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBThis episode of the Jihadology Podcast features an interview with Erin Saltman on the report she co-authored with Melanie Smith, “‘Till Martyrdom Do Us Part’: Gender and the ISIS Phenomenon” (PDF). The conversation covered a variety of topics related to female participation in jihadism including: The history of female participation in jihadism Why the situation in Syria/Iraq is unique The biggest misconceptions of female emigrants The push and pull factors leading women to join up T...
VI. Jihadi Ideology and History with Nelly Lahoud
July 01, 2015 16:00 - 59 minutes - 41 MBThis episode features a discussion of jihadi primary sources from June, an interview with Nelly Lahoud, and a new segment: #SocialMedia. This episode covers jihadi primary source releases related to: Anti-Islamic State messages IS state-building efforts Caliphate declaration anniversary Death of Abu Basir Nasir al-Wuhayshi Spy games update Nelly Lahoud is an Associate Professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Senior Associate at the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC)...
V. Syria Status Update with Charles Lister
June 23, 2015 16:00 - 1 hour - 44.4 MBCharles Lister comes on the show to discuss a wide range of topics related to the current situation in Syria: The background and evolution of Jaysh al-Fatah What Jaysh al-Fatah has meant to rebel and Jabhat al-Nusra victories in Syria The recent formation of a Jaysh al-Fatah branch in the south and what the southern front in the war currently looks like How the regime, Iran, and Hizballah have reacted to the changing military dynamics on the ground The recent fighting between the Ku...
IV. Emergency Pod: Caucasus Jihadis in Disarray with Joanna Paraszczuk
June 16, 2015 16:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBWelcome to an emergency Jihadology Podcast about the fluid situation amongst Caucasus jihadis in Syria and back at home. On this episode Aaron interviewed Joanna Paraszczuk, a journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s ‘Under the Black Flag’ blog. They discussed the recent controversies within Jaysh al-Muhajirun wal-Ansar and the Arab coup against the Chechen leaders, the state of the insurgency in the Caucasus, and how The Islamic State hopes to take advantage of the disarray in the...
III. Islamic State Strategy in Iraq and Syria with Jessica Lewis McFate
June 08, 2015 16:00 - 1 hour - 41.6 MBWelcome to the first episode of the Jihadolgy podcast! The first part of this episode covers primary sources released between May 10th – June 1st: Pledges of baya to the Islamic State (ISIS) Anti-IS messages from al-Qaeda Jihadis vs. Hamas in Gaza Spy games The second part of the show features an interview with Jessica Lewis McFate, the research director at the Institute for the Study of War, on the strategy of IS in Iraq and Syria and what that means for the security situation loc...
II. JihadPod 2.0 Preview
June 02, 2015 16:00 - 42 seconds - 520 KBThe Jihadology Podcast is almost here! The show will feature analysis of recent jihadi primary source material and interviews with experts in the jihadi studies field. The show is hosted by Aaron Zelin, founder of Jihadology.net, and will be released every two weeks. You can listen to our short intro episode below. Subscribe to the show The best way to make sure you get new episodes as soon as they’re released is to subscribe to the show. You can subscribe to the show in iTunes by cli...
I. History of American Jihadism with J.M. Berger
May 16, 2011 16:00 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MBEarlier this morning, I had the opportunity to talk with J.M. Berger the author of the recently released book Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam. We discussed a variety of topics: The evolution of Americans involved in jihadism since the Soviet-Afghan war The biggest names in the American jihādī movement that one should know, but are unknown to the vast majority of individuals How Anwar al ‘Awlaqī has changed since the 1990s What role Web 2.0 has had in changing t...