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Generation Jihad

Author: FDD's Long War Journal

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The war against Islamic Jihadism is defining generations. It was our father’s war, it’s our war, and will most likely be our children’s war. The FDD' s Long War Journal team has been researching and reporting for over two decades on the jihadists fueling this terror. “Generation Jihad” features LWJ Editors Bill Roggio and Caleb Weiss as they diagnose the black and white motivations behind the world’s most notorious terrorists, report on their expanding malign activities, and offer their prescriptions for confronting the multi-generational menace that is Islamic Jihadism.

272 Episodes
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Ahmed al-Sharaa used to be known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani — al Qaeda’s man in Syria. Now he’s known as the president of Syria. He’s in New York City this week, headlining the UN General Assembly (UNGA), fraternizing with world leaders and meeting with senior Trump administration officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He was even hosted by a prominent think-tank for a fireside chat with General David Petraeus, a self-described “fan.” Why is everyone so eager to embrace someone with a record of terror? Tom Joscelyn is back with Bill to unpack Washington’s stunning, but not surprising, amnesia.
Back to Bagram?

Back to Bagram?

2025-09-2220:46

Four years after America’s chaotic retreat from Afghanistan, President Trump has said he wants U.S. forces back at Bagram — or as Bill and Tom call it: a fantasy. They explain why the Taliban will never allow it, China wouldn’t tolerate it, and Washington still hasn’t learned. From Doha to Abbey Gate, they retrace how America’s exit empowered jihadists—and why talk of going back is pure madness.
Bill is joined by Joe Truzman and David Daoud to dissect Israel’s high-risk strike in Qatar that targeted senior Hamas leaders, including how it missed its top target, the blowback across the region, and what it might mean for the future of the Abraham Accords. They also assess the latest Israeli strikes on Hezbollah and IRGC targets in Lebanon as Israel's Long War expands.
Israel’s biggest strike yet on the Houthis killed 12 ministers — including their prime minister — signaling a major intelligence breakthrough in Yemen.Bill is joined again by Brad Bowman and Bridget Toomey to break down what this means for Israel’s fight against Iran’s Axis of Resistance, why targeting leaders (“the archers”) matters more than just shooting down missiles, and how the Red Sea conflict ties into a bigger global struggle with Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea.
President Trump’s red-carpet meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska followed with talks to Zelensky and European leaders could reshape the war in Ukraine. Bill is joined by Brad Bowman and John Hardie to unpack these meetings—from Putin’s demands and whether Washington risks handing Moscow a “bad peace,” to Ukraine’s manpower crisis and whether a ceasefire would buy Kyiv time or lock in defeat.
Israel’s push into Gaza City could decide the war’s next phase. Bill Roggio, Joe Truzman, and David Daoud unpack the high-stakes offensive and discuss the IDF’s manpower crunch, international backlash, Hamas’ refusal to disarm, and in Lebanon: Hezbollah warns of sectarian war if the government moves to disarm it.
In this co-host takeover, Joe Truzman and David Daoud cut through the very loud noises emanating from Beirut and Gaza — from Israel’s controversial killing of an Al Jazeera reporter it accused of Hamas ties to Lebanon’s unprecedented and ambitious push to disarm Hezbollah.
The Gaza gambit

The Gaza gambit

2025-08-0846:23

Bill, Joe, and David unpack Israel’s controversial decision to occupy Gaza City nearly two years into the war. From the absence of a viable “day after” plan and the Arab world’s refusal to police the Strip to the political, military, and diplomatic costs of Israel enmeshing itself deeper into Gaza, they examine whether or not this move can actually weaken Hamas.
Bill is joined by Caleb Weiss and Edmund Fitton Brown to analyze the UN's latest Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team report on the evolving threats posed by Al-Qaeda and ISIS — from their current state and leadership to the geopolitical influences at play and strategic significance of areas like Syria, Iraq, and Somalia.
Behnam, David, and Ahmad unpack the ongoing tensions in Syria and the country’s political landscape, the role of the Druze community, Iranian influence, Israel’s military strategy, and the broader implications for Israel and the United States.
Syria's Turmoil

Syria's Turmoil

2025-07-2546:21

Bill, Joe and Ahmad cut through the social media smokescreen surrounding Suwayda’s Druze‑Bedouin clashes, from shifting loyalties to regime reprisals, as well as unpack Israel’s Gaza City offensive.
Bill and Edmund Fitton‑Brown break down the post‑12‑day war chessboard: Houthis, Hezbollah, and Tehran’s other proxies—what they’ve learned, and where to anticipate the next flashpoint.
Bill, Ahmad, and Bridget unpack this week's biggest headlines out of the Middle East, including Druze militias overrunning Soweda as Israeli jets blast Damascus; anonymous drones torching Kurdish oilfields and U.S. posts; Yemeni forces intercepting 750 tons of Iranian arms—and more.
The Houthis are back at it—sinking ships, killing civilians, and holding crews hostage in the Red Sea. Bill is joined by his FDD colleagues Bridget Toomey and Bradley Bowman to unpack the details and discuss why Iran-backed proxies keep getting away with it—including how the U.S. “ceasefire” deal may have emboldened them. Also: Where’s Europe? And why does everyone seem more afraid of offending Tehran than protecting global shipping and freedom of navigation?
Does arming Ukraine come at the expense of our military readiness—or is it an investment in it?Bill asks his FDD colleague and military expert Bradley Bowman to set the record straight on what it really takes for the US to defeat its enemies in the long war — and why deterring China, Russia, and Iran simultaneously is essential for American national security.From munitions math and Pentagon priorities to strained stockpiles, weapons we’re sending, and weapons we’re not making fast enough, Brad covers the bases to illustrate why helping our democratic partners do damage to our enemies now is an investment in saving American lives later.
Bill is joined by (most of) the Generation Jihad crew to unpack a few headlines like: Hamas is murdering aid workers, the US is delisting a former al Qaeda franchise, and the Houthis are back to bombing ships. They discuss how we got here and why terrorists around the region have every reason to feel emboldened.
Nearly four years after Kabul fell, the Taliban remain entrenched—and the resistance is fragmented, under-resourced, and increasingly demoralized. General Hibatullah Alizai, the last Chief of General Staff of the Afghan army, joins Bill Roggio and Will Selber to discuss the anti-Taliban fight, internal Taliban rifts, and why the US and its allies risk repeating their worst mistakes.
From Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria to whispers of folding Damascus into the Abraham Accords, Syria’s new leader, Ahmad al Sharaa—an ex–al Qaeda commander—now finds himself near the center of America's diplomatic efforts in the region. Can a former jihadi become a US-backed peace partner? Are we seriously having this conversation again? Yes, and joining Bill to have it are his FDD colleagues David Daoud and Ahmad Sharawi.
The U.S. and Israel just hit Iran’s nuclear program hard — but how much damage did they really do? Bill is joined by his FDD colleague and nuclear expert Andrea Stricker to discuss what was destroyed, what might have survived, whether Tehran’s nuclear program is dead or just delayed — as well as the intelligence, the spin, and why the Mossad and IAEA may hold the real answers.
In this explosive episode of Generation Jihad, Bill Roggio and Thomas Joscelyn unpack one of the most chaotic weekends in the post-9/11 war on terror: U.S. forces' strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Tehran's retaliation on CENTCOM’s forward base in Qatar, and Trump's sudden ceasefire declaration.
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Comments (8)

Jeff B

Saying Afghanistan fought the Soviets/communists "on behalf of the US" is an oversimplification at best and really a bit disingenuous.

Jul 8th
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Jeff B

Fuck anyone who supports Hamas and fuck all the prevaricators who fail to condemn extremist ideologies and, in doing so, normalize their support and create people like this murderer who think what they're doing is justified in support of a noble cause championing an oppressed people rather than killing in the name of terrorists. Make no mistake, you all bear responsibility for these killings and the actions of idiots like the killer.

May 28th
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Jeff B

Academic analysis of terrorist organizations and intelligence coups in the same episode with juvenile dick jokes. This is what I listen to Generation Jihad for. You just can't get that anywhere else. 😉

Sep 21st
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Jeff B

I served 3 tours in Afghanistan and as the leader of my unit I looked Afghan Intel sources, translators, tribal/village leaders, and others who worked with us directly in the eye and told them that if the time ever came we'd get them out. The level of guilt and shame I feel knowing that many of those I have my word to were left behind to be killed or live in hiding and constant fear cannot be overstated. The US failed and betrayed these people. Period.

Aug 23rd
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Jeff B

Awesome episode! I've been eating up Ali's Iran analysis since I came across his scholarship a while back and I think he's the first person who has provided extended analysis on the IRGC's strategy, politics, and motivations that I came away in total agreement with. His work really increased my insight into certain facets of Iranian politico-military decision making.

Apr 21st
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Jeff B

Bill Roggio for Congress. I'm with you on this, bro.

Apr 2nd
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Jeff B

Just in case Bill reads this, Biden says they have contracted a PMC to run security and be the distribution link at the pier so that US troops don't have to set foot on land. This whole concept is poorly conceived and will benefit the US and Israel in no way. Aside from Biden's reelection campaign, that is. How long before the US presidency returns to being a principled office that isn't run by the whims of daily political optics?

Mar 16th
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Jeff B

"I'd still throw it on to get involved. The govt doesn't want to protect our own and that's shameful." Same here Roggio. I have never been more disappointed in my country than the day that our govt's/Biden's "unequivocal" support became an excuse to take Hamas' side and put pressure on Israel to stop. If terrorists invaded a US state and massacred 20k to 30k people, no one would be able to dictate to the US how to conduct our military response or when to stop...

Jan 14th
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