Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaida-affiliated group, has been consolidating control in rural areas of Mali and has targeted economic supply lines such as fuel imports, contributing to fuel shortages.
November 05, 2025
medium
contextual
Tactics by an extremist group affecting territorial control and economic logistics in Mali.
After the al-Qaida attacks on September 11, 2001, the U.S. Congress passed an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) that granted the President authority to use the U.S. military against the terrorist group responsible for those attacks.
September 11, 2001
high
historical-legal
Legal precedent for congressional authorization enabling presidential use of military force against al-Qaida.
The "foreign terrorist organization" (FTO) designation in U.S. policy is normally applied to groups that use violence for political ends, such as al-Qaida or the Islamic State, and is not typically used for profit-motivated criminal organizations.
high
legal
Describes the typical scope and customary use of the FTO label in U.S. policy.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, who has used the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, had ties to al-Qaida, fought against U.S. forces in Iraq, was imprisoned by U.S. troops in Iraq for several years, and at one time had a $10 million U.S. bounty on his head.
high
biographical
Background on a Syrian opposition figure with a history of militant activity and confrontation with U.S. forces.
Historically, U.S. Foreign Terrorist Organization designations have been applied to groups that use violence for political ends, such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida.
high
policy
Typical criteria and examples for U.S. FTO designations.