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Rapid Sitrep: Former JNIM Commander Who Defected to ISSP Details Reasons Behind Decision

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Saaʿd Bottom Line Up Front On 16 February 2026, it was posted in an Islamic State chatroom that a former commander of al-Qaeda's West African branch, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), known by the name Saaʿd, has released several audio recordings detailing his reasoning for his defection to Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP).  What you need to know At the time of this report, Saaʿd's date of defection is unclear. While Fulcrum Intel Digest will update this piece when we have the recordings, for now we know the following reasons from the chatroom: The commander feels that Al-Qaeda leadership do not implement Sharia "in it's entirety", despite his own efforts to implement it how he saw fit during several meetings with senior leaders from both JNIM and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).   Further, Saaʿd's view is that the accusation from Al-Qaeda that ISSP are "Kharijites" is baseless and has “no foundation in the Quran  or the Sun...
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Guardians of the Truth TV: Examining the Islamic State-Supportive Swahili-and-Luganda-Language Propaganda Ecosystem

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GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: This article contains descriptions of terrorism and graphic violence that some may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.  Guardians of the Truth (G.O.T) Television Official Logo Bottom Line Up Front An Islamic State (IS) supportive propaganda and communications outlet has emerged on numerous social media platforms. The outlet, Guardians of the Truth TV, notably sends its messaging in Swahili and Luganda to target and appeal to large groups of audiences in East Africa and the Great Lakes Region, specifically in Uganda. Estimates vary, but for context, one source states that there are over 150 million Swahili speakers and another states there are about 6 million native Luganda speakers, mostly concentrated in Uganda.  Map of areas where Swahili is spoken -  Source Uganda on Map - Source The emergence of Guardians of the Truth TV comes after Islamic State Central Africa (ISCAP) released a  video   which threatened attacks ag...
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C hinedu Onwe is a dedicated lawyer, academic research writer, and editor with over 3 years of experience producing high-quality, analytical content in law, international relations, and global politics. His work is driven by a deep passion for the International Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), reflecting his keen interest in how legal frameworks interface and influences global peace, security, and governance.  Contact: joachimowen@gmail.com Protests and Economic Problems Threaten the Internal Stability. Source: specialeurasia.com What began as a protest over the economic decline in Tehran has turned into a national protest against the ruling political leadership in Iran. Now on its 11 th day, the protests have spread to over 200 locations across most of the 31 regions of the country. Government response has been swift, with cases of clampdown reported, leading to internet shutdowns, arrests, violent crackdowns that have resulted in over 900 ...
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Operation Absolute Resolve and the Crisis of International Order: Intelligence, Sovereignty, and the United Nations at a Breaking Point

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The U.S. operation in Venezuela, known as Operation Absolute Resolve , conducted in early January 2026, has sparked one of the most significant challenges to the international legal order since 1945. Open-source intelligence reports indicate that this operation led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was subsequently taken into U.S. custody after coordinated air and special forces strikes (OSINT Report, 2026). Although various media and policy sources have shared details of the operation, it is important to note that many tactical and casualty reports have not been independently verified. What can be confirmed is the legal, institutional, and normative context within which this operation must be evaluated, as well as the significant consequences it holds for the United Nations system, especially the Security Council and its veto mechanism. 1.       Operational Claims and Intelligence Assessment According to open-source intelligence assessm...
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