Generation Jihad

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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 Thomas Joscelyn 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.

FDD's Long War Journal


    • Jun 1, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 52m AVG DURATION
    • 249 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Generation Jihad podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in gaining a deep understanding of terrorism, jihad movements, and the ongoing war against extremist organizations. With knowledgeable experts providing engaging discussions, listeners can learn a great deal about terror groups around the world. The podcast offers valuable insights and analysis that broaden our understanding of Iran's role in the Middle East and the need for effective US strategies to counter their challenge. Overall, it is an informative and educational podcast that sheds light on complex geopolitical issues.

    One of the best aspects of The Generation Jihad podcast is its ability to provide in-depth information about various terror groups without overwhelming listeners with excessive technical jargon. The hosts do a great job of striking a balance between providing detailed analysis when necessary and keeping the content accessible to a wide range of audiences. Their expertise and knowledge shine through in each episode, making it an excellent resource for those who want to stay informed about international security threats.

    On the downside, some listeners may find that The Generation Jihad podcast leans towards a pro-Israel and conservative political stance. While this may not be an issue for those who share these viewpoints, it could alienate listeners who prefer a more balanced perspective or have different political leanings. Additionally, there are occasional sound engineering issues that can make listening frustrating at times, such as fluctuating microphone levels and unedited coughs or interruptions.

    In conclusion, The Generation Jihad podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking deeper insight into terrorism and global security challenges. Despite its occasional biases and technical shortcomings, the podcast consistently provides engaging discussions by knowledgeable experts. It has the power to change perspectives on the intersection of politics and consequences while highlighting the real lives at stake in this messy arena. Whether you are new to understanding this subject or have been following it for years, The Generation Jihad podcast offers valuable information that cuts through agendas and provides crucial analysis in a complex landscape.



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    Latest episodes from Generation Jihad

    I just ran. Iran so far away.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 46:55


    Bill and Behnam discuss the evolving dynamics of U.S. foreign policy on Iran and the subsequent need for coherent policy that addresses multifaceted issues including nuclear negotiations, Iranian protests against the regime, the ongoing threat posed by Iran's proxy strategy — particularly from the Houthis, shifting attitudes of Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the potential impact on U.S.-Israel relations.

    Terror in Washington, D.C.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2025 38:44


    Behnam and David D. join Bill to discuss the attack in Washington, D.C. that killed a young couple working for the Israeli embassy. Behnam and David both were friends with Yaron, who tragically lost his life to yet another act of terror rooted in anti-semitism.They also briefly catch up on the current state of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and the still-burning dumpster fire in Lebanon.

    The Houthi headache

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 40:55


    FDD's Brad Bowman and Bridget Toomey catch Bill up on the latest cluster of developments related to the Houthis — from the ceasefire initiated by President Trump and possible consequences for U.S.-Israel relations to the role of Iran in the ongoing conflict.

    A terrorist in a suit is... still a terrorist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 46:25


    Bradley Bowman and David Adesnik join Bill to unpack the U.S. decision to legitimize Ahmed al-Shara (AKA Jolani), the ex-al-Qaeda leader now heading HTS in Syria; other regional players seeking influence in the Syria vacuum, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia; and broader U.S. policy failures in Syria.

    Trump's Iran Gambit

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2025 33:12


    Bill, Behnam, and Janatan dive into the high-stakes complexities of U.S.-Iran relations, unpacking President Trump's dual-track approach of military readiness and diplomatic outreach to the Islamic Republic. They discuss Iran's internal reactions to U.S. policy shifts, Saudi Arabia's cautious recalibration toward Tehran, and intensifying military pressure on the Houthis.

    No balance, much struggle: Power in the Middle East

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 35:45


    Bill, David, and Ahmad deep dive into the volatile politics of the Middle East, from Jelani's controversial role in Syria to sectarian tensions in Iraq and Hezbollah under pressure, the balance of power across the region is fragile.

    Problems without peaceful solutions

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 52:12


    Bill, David, and Joe break down the latest flashpoints across Lebanon, Israel, and Gaza—examining the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, Israel's evolving military operations and campaigns against Hezbollah and Hamas, the Lebanese government's stalled efforts to disarm Hezbollah, and the growing discontent in Gaza as protests against Hamas intensify.

    Looking at the Sunni side of the aisle

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 40:58


    Bill and Caleb discuss updates from "the Sunni side of the aisle," including Washington's policy pivot on the Haqqani Network, the U.S. military's airstrike strategy in Somalia, the Turkestan Islamic Party's rebranding attempt, the recent death of a key Islamic State leader, and Shabaab's current operations.

    Conflict update from Jonathan Conricus

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 41:56


    Joe Truzman speaks with Jonathan Conrikis about the complexities of conflicts consuming the Middle East, from the aftermath of the Hamas-led, Iran-backed October 7 attacks and role of the media in shaping narratives to the situation in the West Bank and failures of UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.

    Conflict in Syria Continues

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 32:25


    Ahmad Sharawi joins Bill for an update on Syria's ongoing conflict, including:The recent Alawite insurgency against the government led by Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani,The role of jihadist groups and involvement of the Syrian National Army and Syrian Democratic Forces,Israel's position on minority protection in Syria, andThe feasibility of military action in the region.

    On Iran's Military Threat with Janatan Sayeh

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 51:03


    Bill is joined by his FDD colleague and Long War Journal contributor Janatan Sayeh to unpack Iran's various spheres of influence and threats posed not least of all by their military capabilities from drone technology and nuclear enrichment to increasingly close cooperation with Moscow and Beijing.

    Status update on global jihad

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 76:09


    Bill is joined by Caleb Weiss and Edmund Fitton-Brown to discuss the latest UN Sanctions Monitoring Team report on the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda that was released this week.

    Trump's vision for Gaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 38:28


    Bill and Behnam are joined by their FDD colleague Jonathan Schanzer to discuss President Trump's controversial plan for Gaza which includes a radical restructuring of the region.

    Psychological terrorism

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 54:47


    Bill and Joe are joined by show regulars David Daoud and Ahmad Sharawi to discuss the psychological warfare employed by terrorist organizations, including how manipulation and narrative control are their most potent weapons.

    Tehran's pawns in Iraq

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 66:12


    Bill is joined by show regular Edmund Fitton-Brown to discuss Edmund's latest analysis for Long War Journal: The role of Iraqi Shia militias as proxies in Iran's Axis of Resistance.

    Can Jon Schanzer make the hostage deal make sense?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 61:45


    Bill is joined by his FDD colleagues David Daoud and Jon Schanzer — who literally wrote the book on conflict in Gaza — to discuss the ceasefire and hostage deal that has just been reached between Israel and Hamas.

    Is peace in the Middle East upon us this week?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 30:12


    Bill and co-host Joe Truzman discuss the supposedly imminent ceasefire agreement and subsequent hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas.

    Myth-busting 'moderate' Taliban with Lynne O'Donnell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 72:57


    Bill and co-host Will Selber are joined by Lynne O'Donnell, Australian journalist, author and analyst. Lynne is no stranger to reporting from conflict zones, including serving as the Afghanistan bureau chief for the Associated Press and for Agence France-Presse. Lynne recounts her final days in Afghanistan, including being detained by the Taliban.

    New year, new Middle East?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 38:49


    Amidst a new year and ahead of President Trump taking office in a matter of days, Bill is joined by co-hosts Joe Truzman and Behnam Ben Taleblu for a temperature check of some of the top security issues in the Middle East — including Israel's military operations in Syria, ongoing tensions with the Houthis, and the complexities surrounding a possible ceasefire with Hamas.

    On domestic terrorism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 26:10


    Bill is joined by LWJ and GJ OG Tom Joscelyn to discuss the New Year's attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas.

    Addressing the Houthi threat

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 35:33


    Bill and Behnam discuss the ongoing missile strikes from the Houthis in Yemen targeting Israel, including the effectiveness of Israeli interceptions and strategic responses, the Islamic Republic of Iran's role in supporting the Houthis, and broader implications for regional security. 

    Afghanistan's National Resistance leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 68:55


    Bill and Will Selber talk to Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, about the ongoing struggle against the Taliban, the need for international recognition of resistance efforts, and the importance of a new generation of Afghan leaders. 

    Unfolding in the Middle East

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 47:14


    Bill, David Daoud, and Ahmad Sharawi discuss the evolving situation in Syria with new leader Abu Mohammed Al Jelani now at the helm and consequences of engaging with groups designated as terrorists, the latest kinetic interactions between Israel and the Houthis, and where the Islamic Republic of Iran fits into the evolving regional dynamics. 

    Now hiring: moderate terrorists

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 44:19


    Bill and Will Selber discuss the flawed psychology of continued Western efforts to find and promote cooperation with “moderate” terrorists with a particular focus on Mohammed Al-Jolani, now at the helm in Syria, and on the Taliban at the helm in Afghanistan (which is going great).

    Meanwhile in Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 35:18


    This isn't the end of Syria's civil war. It's the next phase.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 52:41


    The Syria context you need

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 70:44


    After Assad

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 68:47


    Sometimes… in Syria… my enemy's enemy is also my enemy.

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 64:08


    Hezbollah "negotiations"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 50:19


    Bill, David, and Ahmad delve into the recent ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hezbollah: details of the deal, the role of the U.S. in the deal, and the implications of the deal — including the broader regional consequences of the ceasefire amid the wider, ongoing conflict with Tehran behind the curtain.

    2024 Wrapped: Hezbollah (ft. Emanuele Ottolenghi)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 42:49


    Ep. 233 — Iran's Expansionism and Alliances in the Region, Part XII

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 63:57


    David Daoud and Ahmad Sharawi delve into the complexities of Palestinian Islamic Jihad's religious identity, its relationship with Iran, how Iran uses segments within a society to infiltrate them, and the implications of this for Jordanian and other Sunni societies.

    Ep. 231 — The next Trump administration and Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 40:55


    Bill and Benham unpack the dynamic landscape of American foreign policy towards Iran, specifically how the region's latest turmoil might challenge the incoming Trump administration. They also discuss the challenges of domestic politics muddying foreign policy decisions, the future of American military presence in Iraq and Syria, and the need for a coherent strategy to address Iran's nuclear ambitions.

    Ep. 230 — Trump 2.0 and foreign policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 53:57


    Bill and Will unpack the implications of Trump's win on the foreign and national security policies, particularly as they related to Ukraine, Israel, and Iran. They also analyze the second Trump administration's potential strategies for addressing burden sharing amongst NATO members, the ongoing jihadist threat, and the challenges posed by China and North Korea. 

    Ep. 229 — Awaiting Iran's response to Israel's response to Iran, part VIII

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2024 30:58


    Bill and Joe unpack the latest unfolding in the evolving conflict between Iran and Israel, particularly in light of recent retaliatory strikes by Israel and the anticipated Iranian response. They also discuss the current situation in the West Bank, Hezbollah's operational status, and implications of tomorrow's U.S. elections on regional stability and military strategies.

    Ep. 227 — Why Siraj Haqqani is not Afghanistan's “Best Hope for Change” (CC: New York Times)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 48:19


    Last week, the New York Times ran an article(?) called “Is Afghanistan's Most-Wanted Militant Now Its Best Hope for Change?” (SPOILER: NO!) and with the subtitle: “Sirajuddin Haqqani has tried to remake himself from blood-soaked jihadist to pragmatic Taliban statesman. Western diplomats are shocked — and enticed.” Yes, really.To unpack (/eviscerate) the piece, Bill and Will Selber are joined by — drumroll, please — Long War Journal- and Generation Jihad-OG, Tom Joscelyn. They read it so you don't have to. 

    Ep. 226 — Israel's retaliatory strikes in Iran

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 48:45


    Bill, Joe, and Behnam unpack Israel's retaliatory airstrikes on military targets in Iran, including the implications of Israeli strikes; the complexities of the Islamic Republic's military strategies and challenges of disrupting its proxy networks; the broader geopolitical dynamics blanketing the Middle East — particularly the complexities of any regional military operations amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran; and the potential for Iran to accelerate its nuclear ambitions.

    Ep. 224 — Sinwar is dead. Hamas is not.

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 39:49


    Bill and Joe discuss the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and its implications for Israeli strategy in the country's ongoing defensive war in Gaza; for the Islamic Republic of Iran's ongoing, multi-front war on Israel; and for already-tense U.S.-Israeli relations.

    Ep. 223 — After Sinwar

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 50:57


    Bill and Behnam discuss Israel's targeted killing of top Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, including this week's successful assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. 

    Ep. 222 — Jihadist plots against the West

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 43:25


    Bill and Will discuss plots to target Western assets both inside and outside of combat zones, from the foiled attack targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Europe to credible threats on President Trump's life made by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

    Ep. 217 — Today's global jihadi threat

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 80:30


    Bill is joined by friend of the show Edmund Fitton-Brown to discuss Edmund's recent report for the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, Commentary: The Global Jihadi Terror Threat in September 2024.

    Ep. 216 — After decades of f*cking around, did Hassan Nasrallah just find out?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 47:44


    Bill and show regular David Daoud are joined by their FDD colleague Ahmad Sharawi, making his overdue Generation Jihad debut amidst rumors that today's Israeli strike in Beirut may have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. They share what they know so far and unpack the known unknowns and the unknown unknowns.

    Ep. 215 — Hamas in Gaza: A progress report

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 56:49


    Bill and Joe are joined by their FDD colleague Dr. Jonathan Schanzer to discuss his recent article for Commentary, "Hamas On The Ropes: A Progress Report."

    Ep. 213 — Now paging Hassan Nasrallah

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 43:31


    Bill is joined by Joe and David to discuss yesterday and today's explosions of devices belonging to Hezbollah terrorists across Lebanon.

    Ep. 212 — Weekend at Bernie's… in Gaza?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 43:08


    Bill and Joe unpack the latest concerning Iran-backed terrorist groups in the West Bank, Israel's special ground operation in Syria last week, ceasefire negotiations, and whether Hamas is pulling a Taliban and playing Weekend at Bernie's with its leadership.

    Ep. 210 — 23 years since 9/11

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 63:31


    Bill and his Wednesday co-host Will Selber are joined by their friend and colleague Beth Bailey of the Afghanistan Project podcast — she also previously served in the intelligence community — on the twenty-third anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. They reflect on where we were then and how we got to where we are now, twenty-three years later.

    september 11th beth bailey
    Ep. 206 — The Hezbollah-Israel conflagration

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 38:49


    Bill and David Daoud unpack the latest details from the current clash between Hezbollah and Israel.

    Ep. 205 — "Things could get a whole lot worse."

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 45:36


    Subbing for Bill and Behnam this week are Joe and David Daoud. They catch up on the latest headlines related to Hezbollah and its war of attrition against Israel. 

    Ep. 204 — Three years after the fall of Kabul

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 63:59


    Bill and Will recently attended a conference organized by the Afghanistan United Front resistance group (and with help from Will). They unpack what was on the docket, including the repercussions of the fall of Afghanistan three years ago and looking ahead to consider Afghanistan's future.

    Ep. 203 — Terrorists suffering from Premature Detonation (PD)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 32:29


    Bill and Joe catch up on the latest headlines related to Israel's defensive war, including a possible ceasefire, more terror tunnels uncovered and destroyed, the Hezbollah attack that killed an IDF soldier, and the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.

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