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Matthew Levitt

@mattlevitt.bsky.social
2.4K followers 209 following 2.4K posts

Director, Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism & Intelligence at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University; Adjunct Professor, Pepperdine University

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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A dual UK-Iranian national has been arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts in connection with the incident at RAF Fairford, Counter Terrorism Policing have said bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Dual UK-Iranian national arrested over RAF Fairford incident
The 27-year-old man was arrested in Westminster, London, the force said.
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I make a few appearances throughout this powerful documentary on Hezbollah's war against Israel and Israel's pager operation against Hezbollah x.com/EylonALevy/s...
x.com
Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) on X
PAGING HEZBOLLAH Israel's beeper operation was the most phenomenal intelligence operation of the century. Mossad sold boobytrapped pagers to Hezbollah, to blow its terrorists' balls off if they atta...
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
“Hamas is going to do what it can to survive,” Institute expert @mattlevitt.bsky.social told David Makovsky in the latest episode of "Decision Points." Listen to the full episode: shows.acast.com/decision-poi...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Frenchwoman who joined Islamic State in Syria faces trial in Paris www.courthousenews.com/frenchwoman-...
courthousenews.com
Frenchwoman who joined Islamic State in Syria faces trial in Paris
At 19 years old, Sarah Talib left her native France to join the Islamic State in Syria. More than a decade later, she’s on trial for participating in a terrorist criminal organization.
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
President Trump announced more sanctions on Iran's financial networks, write @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Maya Chaovat. Shutting Iran’s Emirati backdoor to bank and supply chains can be critical. Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Honored to participate in the Soufan Center Summit at Ground Zero on the cusp of the 25th commemoration of the 9/11 attacks #NeverForget
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
“The U.S. intelligence community is being tasked to better forecast tomorrow’s terrorist threats just as it is losing expertise and gaining peripheral responsibilities,” writes @mattlevitt.bsky.social in @justsecurity.org.
washingtoninstitute.org
The Looming Terrorist Threats to America
Faced with brain drain, ideological distortion, and a wavering strategic focus, U.S. counterterrorism officials are being asked to do more with less today than their predecessors post-9/11.
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Today, U.S. counterterrorism is moving from "a U.S.-led, partner-enabled" model "to a partner-led, U.S. enabled” one, said @mattlevitt.bsky.social. But “you can’t rely on your partners when you don’t prioritize partnership in general in your foreign policy,” he said.
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
25 years after 9/11, some experts believe the U.S. has let its guard down - w/my comment for @msnownews.bsky.social @washinstitute.bsky.social www.ms.now/news/25-year...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
My fireside chat with 3 former NCTC directors a quarter century after 9/11 www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy... @washinstitute.bsky.social
washingtoninstitute.org
25 Years After 9/11: NCTC Directors Assess Progress and Remaining Challenges
Three top former counterterrorism officials look back on a quarter-century of combating the global terrorist threat, discussing how their setbacks and successes can help Washington fill gaps in its cu...
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Just Security @justsecurity.org · 08/09/2026
The Looming Terrorist Threats to America 25 years after 9/11, U.S. counterterrorism officials are being asked to do more with less By Matthew Levitt (@mattlevitt.bsky.social)
justsecurity.org
The Looming Terrorist Threats to America
25 years after 9/11, U.S. counterterrorism officials are being asked to do more with less.
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
📺WEBCAST TODAY: Join us at 9AM EDT for a conversation with three former directors of the National Counterterrorism Center as they look back on a quarter century of combating the global terrorist threat. @mattlevitt.bsky.social will moderate the event.
washingtoninstitute.org
25 Years After 9/11: NCTC Directors Assess Progress and Remaining Challenges
Join us for a conversation with three former directors of the National Counterterrorism Center as they look back on a quarter century of combating the global terrorist threat. Watch live starting at 9...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
25 years ago, I led the analytical team at FBI headquarters for one of the 4 hijacked flights on 9/11. Today, CT officials are being directed to do more with less — and it’s is a recipe for disaster www.justsecurity.org/156517/loomi... @washinstitute.bsky.social
justsecurity.org
The Looming Terrorist Threats to America
25 years after 9/11, U.S. counterterrorism officials are being asked to do more with less.
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Washington must signal to Europe that dismantling Hamas’s financial networks is critical for Gaza’s stability, write Institute experts Michael Jacobson and @mattlevitt.bsky.social. Read more: www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
“The majority of Iran’s transshipment, smuggling, and shadow banking activity takes place in Dubai, so Washington must do what it can” to help the UAE cut off illicit Iranian transactions, write @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Maya Chaovat.
washingtoninstitute.org
Shutting Iran’s Emirati Back Door to Banks and Supply Chains
In launching its newly announced “Operation Economic Outcast,” the Trump administration’s primary beachhead should be the UAE, which has signaled a shift in the right direction but will need targeted ...
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
📺Tune in on Tuesday, September 8 at 9AM ET for a timely webcast as three former directors of the National Counterterrorism Center discuss the terrorist threat landscape twenty-five years after 9/11. @mattlevitt.bsky.social will moderate the discussion.
washingtoninstitute.org
25 Years After 9/11: NCTC Directors Assess Progress and Remaining Challenges
Join us for a conversation with three former directors of the National Counterterrorism Center as they look back on a quarter century of combating the global terrorist threat. Watch live starting at 9...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
25 YEARS AFTER 9/11: NCTC Directors Assess Progress and Remaining Challenges Join me for a fireside chat @washinstitute.bsky.social with Christy Abizaid, Nick Rasmussen, and Matt Olsen, Tuesday Sep 8, 9-10am
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
President Trump warned of an “economic D-Day” against Iran by announcing economic sanctions on the country’s financial networks, write @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Maya Chaovat. Here’s why targeting Iran’s Emirati back door to bank and supply chains can be critical:
washingtoninstitute.org
Shutting Iran’s Emirati Back Door to Banks and Supply Chains
In launching its newly announced “Operation Economic Outcast,” the Trump administration’s primary beachhead should be the UAE, which has signaled a shift in the right direction but will need targeted ...
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Jess Davis @jessmarindavis.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
The ongoing challenge of Hezbollah's Bank: As @mattlevitt.bsky.social notes, "The key difference is that it is registered as a charity—not as a licensed financial institution—which means it has largely operated outside Lebanon's financial regulatory framework" thisisbeirut.com.lb/features/exp...
thisisbeirut.com.lb
New Sanctions, Old Challenge: Hezbollah’s Bank Still a Problem for Lebanon
On June 30, the U.S. and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries’ Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) announced new sanctions against Hezbollah’s fina…
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RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
In the latest episode of Suspicious Transaction Report, Dr Kinga Redlowska and @mattlevitt.bsky.social sit down to discuss how Iran uses proxies, shadow banking and criminal cut-outs to fund external operations and evade sanctions. Listen to the episode: bit.ly/4bcQsfo
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
"Matthew Levitt's examination of Iranian operations (ch 12) adds methodological rigour" Appreciate the review of "Killing in the Name of the State" edited by @avramovok & #LucaTrenta in the Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Killing in the Name of the State: state-sponsored assassination in international politics
Published in Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism (Ahead of Print, 2026)
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
“The MOU is structured to bring Iran to the table,” @mattlevitt.bsky.social told @washingtonpost.com. “And it demonstrates that the United States wanted this deal even more than Iran did.”
washingtonpost.com
First steps in peace deal demand far more from U.S. than Iran
The memorandum of understanding requires numerous steps by Washington including lifting sanctions and freeing billions in frozen assets, while Iran was required only to open the Strait of Hormuz.
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Pulte Dismisses Top ODNI Experts on World’s Hot Spots, including a huge chunk of the senior staff at the National Intelligence Council (NIC) Incredible self-goal. Terrible. www.spytalk.co/p/pulte-dism...
spytalk.co
Pulte Dismisses Top ODNI Experts on World’s Hot Spots
Purge Includes Many Senior Staff at the National Intelligence Council
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Honored to spend the week in Singapore as part of S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies’ Distinguished Visitors program & a guest of RSIS’ Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS)
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
The teenagers enlisted as agents of mayhem by Russia and Iran www.ft.com/content/58da...
ft.com
The teenagers enlisted as agents of mayhem by Russia and Iran
Minors are being targeted to carry out hostile acts from Ukraine to western Europe and Israel
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
He only preached death & destruction SOME of the time, so it was ok… “He wasn’t preaching death and destruction all the time,” Dr. Hamawy added. “He had certain views that he spoke in certain forums, but that’s not what he did every single day.” www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/n...
nytimes.com
A Candidate’s Past Ties to a Militant Cleric Are Surfacing in a N.J. House Race
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
A Greek national has been charged in UK with assisting a foreign intelligence ​service, believed to be Iran's, over the targeting of a ‌journalist working for the London-based television station Iran International www.reuters.com/business/med...
reuters.com
Man charged in UK with assisting foreign intelligence service linked to Iran
A Greek national has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence ​service, believed to be Iran's, over the targeting of a ‌journalist working for the London-based television station Iran Intern...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Treasury Begins Sanctions Modernization Effort by Removing Outdated Entries content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UST...
content.govdelivery.com
Treasury Begins Sanctions Modernization Effort by Removing Outdated Entries
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
For full context of this plot, see my CTC Sentinel article, 'Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?' @washinstitute.bsky.social www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
washingtoninstitute.org
Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?
Perhaps, given the ceasefire deal, the group will rein in its operations abroad to avoid giving Israel reason to resume the war, but the involvement of senior group leaders in plots targeting Denmark,...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Danish police arrest another #Hamas suspect in German case re smalls arms procurement for Hamas planned attacks on Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany and elsewhere in Europe www.generalbundesanwalt.de/SharedDocs/P...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council expands the legal framework and adds ten individuals to the sanctions list www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
consilium.europa.eu
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Council expands the legal framework and adds ten individuals to the sanctions list
The Council decided to expand the legal framework of the EU’s restrictive measures regarding Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to also target members of the Political Bureau of Hamas, and to lis...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
For far-right extremists, the rise of a new enemy: Women www.npr.org/2026/05/27/n...
npr.org
For far-right extremists, the rise of a new enemy: Women
Misogyny is an increasing factor in far-right attacks, but it often goes unnoticed.
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Where Trump “manditorily requests” that all Countries immediately sign the Abraham Accords, and says that if Iran signs an agreement with him he’d be honored o “have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition” Ahhh, ok….. truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
The United States condemns in the strongest terms Hizballah’s reckless call to overthrow Lebanon’s democratically elected government. www.state.gov/releases/off...
state.gov
Condemnation of Hizballah’s Reckless Call to Overthrow Lebanese Government - United States Department of State
The United States condemns in the strongest terms Hizballah’s reckless call to overthrow Lebanon’s democratically elected government. Hizballah has ignored repeated calls from the legitimate Governmen...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The Counterterrorism strategy disconnected from the terrorist landscape www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
washingtoninstitute.org
A Counterterrorism Strategy Disconnected from the Terrorist Landscape
In focusing on cartels and gangs in the Western Hemisphere as well as left-wing extremists, the administration's “radical shift” elides certain threats from the Middle East along with the political ri...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
America’s new Counterterrorism strategy is a partisan polemic, with my comment for the Economist www.economist.com/united-state...
economist.com
America’s new counter-terrorism strategy is a partisan polemic
It does not seem designed to make the country safer
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 12/05/2026
Trump: "We have a man who is doing a great job. I knew it! Because he kept me out of jail for years. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. He kept me out of jail."
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
“Trump’s CT strategy is out and it does not recognize right-wing terrorism as a problem. That’s just whacky,” Matthew Levitt, a terrorism expert at the Washington Institute, wrote on X. www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/ma...
washingtontimes.com
White House counterterrorism strategy to target left-wing groups, transgender ideology
The Trump administration on Wednesday announced a national counterterrorism strategy calling for more aggressive steps to crack down on left-wing violence, including antifa and the savage attacks prom...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
It's finally out! The Trump admin's 2026 Counterterrorism Strategy justthenews.com/sites/defaul...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
My latest @warontherocks.bsky.social Between Intent & Capability: Assessing the Lack of Iranian Attacks on the U.S. Homeland warontherocks.com/between-inte... @washinstitute.bsky.social
warontherocks.com
Between Intent and Capability: Assessing the Lack of Iranian Attacks on the U.S. Homeland
Three days into the Iran war, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the quiet part out loud: The Revolutionary Guard’s Qods Force has long carried
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Iran war has cost the U.S. $25 billion so far, Pentagon official says www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
nbcnews.com
Iran war has cost the U.S. $25 billion so far, Pentagon official says
Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst said most of those costs came from munitions.
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
U.S. Mint Buys Drug Cartel Gold and Sells It as ‘American’ www.nytimes.com/2026/04/26/w...
nytimes.com
U.S. Mint Buys Drug Cartel Gold and Sells It as ‘American’
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
In cases where a defendant is inspired by but does not directly communicate with terrorists, prosecutors “are going to be concerned that an important tool will be taken off the table,” said Matthew Levitt a fellow @washinstitute.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/n...
nytimes.com
He Said ISIS Inspired His Attack. Does That Count as Supporting Terrorists?
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
35 govt’s meet for Fifth Meeting of the Countering Transnational Terrorism Forum to target ongoing malign & destabilizing activities by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) & Ministry of Intelligence & Security (MOIS) & their proxies & partners www.state.gov/releases/off...
state.gov
Fifth Meeting of the Countering Transnational Terrorism Forum - United States Department of State
To target ongoing malign and destabilizing activities by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and their proxies and partners, the U.S. Depar...
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Thank you, Middle East Institute for including me in this even on Iran, Hezbollah, & Lebanon's Future, broadcast on CSPAN2 lnkd.in/eYSyaFHB
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Pleased to participate in this Discussion on Lebanon Amid Israeli Strikes Against Hezbollah & the Iran War ⁦‪@cspan‬⁩ ⁦‪@MiddleEastInst‬⁩ www.c-span.org/program/publ...
c-span.org
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Looking forward to participating in this event on "Iran, Hizballah, and Lebanon’s Future" at MEI alongside @AramNerguizian #AmbDavidHale @kennethpollack3 mei.edu/events/iran-...
mei.edu
Iran, Hizballah, and Lebanon’s Future - Middle East Institute
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
How Tehran’s Proxy Network Could Outlast the Iranian Regime - my latest, with Michael Jacobson @washinstitute.bsky.social @latimes.com www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
washingtoninstitute.org
How Tehran’s Proxy Network Could Outlast the Iranian Regime
Even if Washington somehow convinces Iran to cut off support for groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, this would not eliminate the threat they pose.
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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Counterterrorism expert @mattlevitt.bsky.social shares the three key things he's watching, including Iran’s missile capacity, international terror attempts tied to Tehran, and the Israel-Lebanon front.
youtube.com
3 Things to Watch Amid the Iran War
YouTube video by WashingtonInstitute
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Matthew Levitt @mattlevitt.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
New entries in #Hezbollah map & timeline re LH activities in Cuba, Ecuador, Kuwait, and Lebanon. Check out the full Hezbollah interactive map & timeline @WashInstitute here: www.washingtoninstitute.org/hezbollahint... (click top left for latest entries)
washingtoninstitute.org
Lebanese Hezbollah - Select Worldwide Activity
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