Μ (Μέλι) 🪬

1/5 I wonder if I spend too much time online but then there are interesting things like finding large amounts of AI-generated pro-IS visual propaganda! This @GNET_research article reviews a dataset consisting of this AI-enhanced/generated pro-IS content. gnet-research.org/2024/02/05/ai-…

May this Bajram bring happiness, love, and prosperity to all. #EidMubarak 🌙

I spoke to The Bureau of Investigative Journalism's Effie Webb about how the far-right is using AI-generated music– and what we can do about it Full article⬇️ thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2026-0…

“Iranian-backed ISIS” is one of the most disqualifying claims a person can make if they understand even the most basic facts about the region. ISIS is a Sunni extremist organization that considers Shia Muslims — including the Islamic Republic — to be heretical and legitimate targets of violence. The Islamic Republic is pragmatic in its support and protection of Sunni groups — but ISIS isn’t one of those groups. Good lord.

At least 23 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in suspected suicide bombings Monday night that targeted Maiduguri city in Nigeria, police said. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the conflict-battered city in recent history. abcnews.com/International/…

Our book Nonstate Special Operations featured on this week's Army War College "War Room" podcast warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/non-s…

Ahmad Al-Sharaa may have traded the battlefield for the presidential palace. But the governing system emerging in #Syria looks less like a break from Abu Mohammed al-Jolani’s vision & more like its realization. My latest with @lawfare lawfaremedia.org/article/ahmad-…

Glad to be debuting at @JamestownTweets. New article on Islamic State in Northern Azerbaijan and what does it tell us about IS in Caucasus, Iran, Turkey, Central Asia and more. Especially important today with mayhem in Iran. Open access. Link in the comments.

If you're planning a visit to see the cherry blossoms in the next month, please check out our website with lots of helpful hints & information on events, junior ranger activities & cherry tree history: nps.gov/cherry🌸🌸🌸 #CherryBlossom pic from a previous year

While much of the policy conversation moved to the flavor du jour crises, I’ve been writing & warning about al-Qaeda for years. As it returns to the headlines, here are some of my pieces & engagements: - Al-Qaeda’s Third Phase mwi.westpoint.edu/al-qaedas-thir… - Al-Qaeda and WMD shorturl.at/8WJgp - The Unbroken Bond: Al-Qaeda and Taliban open.spotify.com/show/2t5YhLag5… - Sudan’s descent into chaos sets stage for al-Qaeda to return to a stronghold shorturl.at/cd2i9 - Inside a Dangerous Alliance: Al-Qaeda & Iran shorturl.at/Z2hO4 - Al-Qaeda: A Threat Evolved 911memorial.org/events/al-qaed… - Al-Qaeda’s Enduring Challenge shorturl.at/3dS1f - Al-Qaeda: A defeated Threat? warontherocks.com/2023/11/al-qae… - Al-Qaeda's Looming Threat shorturl.at/OEevv - Yes, al-Qaeda is Still a Threat fdd.org/podcasts/gener…

Here's an excerpt from our book on his original case with interviews with the FBI folks who worked it. ‘This case kept me up at night’ airforcetimes.com/opinion/commen…

Two ISIS Supporters Charged with Attempting to Detonate Explosive Devices During Protests Outside Gracie Mansion | United States Department of Justice justice.gov/opa/pr/two-isi…

@Dr_SaraHarmouch It’s beyond tiresome

@malikacoexist54 Every time it’s the same thing!

1/2 It's concerning this is framed as an "ISIS salut." It is simply the gesture of Tawhid and by itself, it is not nefarious. This gesture is made during prayer (tashahud portion). Relying on inaccurate info is disturbing and dangerous.

2/2 • Innocent people will be targeted as terrorists • Tip lines will be flooded with useless messages which takes away time and resources from ACTUAL threats

We are aware of recent reports regarding targeted phishing attacks that have resulted in account takeovers of some Signal users, including government officials and journalists. We take this very seriously. To be clear: Signal’s encryption and infrastructure have not been compromised and remain robust. These attacks were executed via sophisticated phishing campaigns, designed to trick users into sharing information – SMS codes and/or Signal PIN – to gain access to users’ accounts. 1/4

DHS quietly removed a Biden-era policy from its website that outlined oversight and privacy safeguards for facial recognition. Now, they’re using Mobile Fortify, an app that allows officers to photograph a person’s face and immediately query DHS databases for matches on anyone they snap a picture of. motherjones.com/politics/2026/…

🧵Key takeaways from my 2 Mar BBC Monitoring explainer on how jihadists and Islamists are reacting to the US-Israel attack on Iran 👇 monitoring.bbc.co.uk/product/b0005i…

Analysis Suggests School Was Hit Amid U.S. Strikes on Iranian Naval Base nytimes.com/2026/03/05/wor… via @NYTimes

Aquí va el reportaje en español: Los campos de la muerte de El Mencho Muere jefe del CJNG; continúa el dolor de familiares de desaparecidos Lee:↓ crashoutmedia.com/p/los-campos-d…

The Killing Fields of El Mencho The boss of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is dead. But the pain of the families of the disappeared goes on. Under Mencho's reign, Jalisco was the worst state for disappearances and filled with mass graves. Read:↓ crashoutmedia.com/p/the-killing-…