Update 2/2/2025

Looking ahead for December and the New Year

I am traveling this week, so there will be no new entry in the Iraqi insurgency study. Don’t worry, this current tranche of research will be completed by year end. There are two parts remaining, then I will begin revision and refinement. I hope that these latest entries have been as interesting to you as they have been for me. In general, the pace of content will decrease this month since I have personal commitments that I need to fulfill. Expect fewer posts throughout December.

In 2026, I will begin serializing Memoirs of a Mujahid by Abu Hafs al-Iraqi (as transmitted by Husayn al-Mu’adhidi). This narrative is a full-length book (~180 pages in Arabic), so it will be another long-term commitment like From the Biographies of the Distinguished Martyrs. I aim to publish one part corresponding to twenty pages every two weeks, totaling up to nine parts across eighteen weeks. I will naturally continue the mainline Iraqi insurgency study, but I will not promise that it will be soon after the completion of this current batch. I hope to complete the series by the end of next year, but we will see what the future holds.

Since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, I have begun researching key periods during the civil war and especially the secret lives of Ahmad al-Shara’ aka Abu Muhammad al-Julani. I have learned fascinating information, but I am not currently permitted to publish it all. The investigation is still incomplete. It also ties naturally with themes in my Iraqi insurgency research, one of which is the Salafist International. I stated some time ago that I would do my best to understand this story. I am still searching but with no luck. As I have said, I promise that I will continue digging until I find the truth. But it is possible that, like Nibras Kazimi, I will be bound by sacred trust from ever sharing it with you, my dear reader. Still, patience… As for the affairs of the new Syrian government, the recent incident at Bayt Jin–wherein six IDF invaders were wounded (three severely)–portends the next stage of Israeli conduct in Syria. Expect more “difficult security incidents.”

Regarding West Africa, my Malian source, “Flow,” is currently offline, but I am in direct contact with him. I will interview him about a great deal of subjects–the summer campaign in Mali, the fuel blockade, the war with ISGS, and much more–so expect to see more correspondence. If you have any questions or want to hear about anything in particular, let me know in the comments. Make your points specific and exact. Very broad questions are not helpful. As you may imagine, “Flow” is not always available for interviews, and when he is, I want to make it as productive as possible. If you cannot come up with any specific questions, then please provide a specific topic so I can think of solid questions.

Lastly, this page has reached over 1,800 subscribers. I cannot thank you all enough. I sincerely appreciate the support from all of you, especially those of you with paid subscriptions. I am looking forward to the 2,000 subscriber milestone and beyond. As in the past, I will not paywall any of my content. Everyone is entitled to read this research and these primary sources for free. Thank you again for your support and readership.

Kind regards,
Rob