Matthew Levitt
@mattlevitt.bsky.social
Director, Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism & Intelligence at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University; Adjunct Professor, Pepperdine University
As you prepare your Thanksgiving meal, allow me to remind of the time DOJ warned about the possible #Hezbollah ties to your Turkey dinner
www.wsj.com/articles/ter...
www.wsj.com/articles/ter...
Terror Finance Abroad Touches Thanksgiving at Home
U.S. companies are barred from doing business with people and entities named on the government’s designated-terrorist list. The firm that touts the Butterball turkey is being investigated over such al...
www.wsj.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:31 PM
As you prepare your Thanksgiving meal, allow me to remind of the time DOJ warned about the possible #Hezbollah ties to your Turkey dinner
www.wsj.com/articles/ter...
www.wsj.com/articles/ter...
New Trump EO re designating Muslim Brotherhood bears striking resemblance to our proposal. The EO calls for branches engaged in terrorism to be looked at for FTO designation (not MB writ large), & it calls for SDGT designation of entities supporting FTOs www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
A More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood
Instead of pinning a terrorist designation on the entire group, the Trump administration should focus more narrowly on the national security threats presented by individual Brotherhood branches and or...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:17 PM
New Trump EO re designating Muslim Brotherhood bears striking resemblance to our proposal. The EO calls for branches engaged in terrorism to be looked at for FTO designation (not MB writ large), & it calls for SDGT designation of entities supporting FTOs www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
In interview today, Trump says Muslim Brotherhood designation is coming soon. Here’s how to do it right:
More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood @washinstitute.bsky.social
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood @washinstitute.bsky.social
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
A More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood
Instead of pinning a terrorist designation on the entire group, the Trump administration should focus more narrowly on the national security threats presented by individual Brotherhood branches and or...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 23, 2025 at 4:31 PM
In interview today, Trump says Muslim Brotherhood designation is coming soon. Here’s how to do it right:
More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood @washinstitute.bsky.social
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood @washinstitute.bsky.social
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Reposted by Matthew Levitt
Hezbollah has its own global procurement and financial networks. The U.S. and the international community must thwart the group from operating freely abroad, write Michael Jacobson and @mattlevitt.bsky.social in @foreignpolicy.com.
Hezbollah Is Down But Not Out
Undermining the group in Lebanon requires targeting its networks abroad.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Hezbollah has its own global procurement and financial networks. The U.S. and the international community must thwart the group from operating freely abroad, write Michael Jacobson and @mattlevitt.bsky.social in @foreignpolicy.com.
Reposted by Matthew Levitt
"Despite recent momentum, designating the entire Muslim Brotherhood movement as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) has proven challenging," write @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Michael Jacobson.
A More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood
Instead of pinning a terrorist designation on the entire group, the Trump administration should focus more narrowly on the national security threats presented by individual Brotherhood branches and or...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM
"Despite recent momentum, designating the entire Muslim Brotherhood movement as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) has proven challenging," write @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Michael Jacobson.
A More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood. The Trump administration should focus more narrowly on the national security threats presented by individual Brotherhood branches and organizations, especially those funding Hamas
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
A More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood
Instead of pinning a terrorist designation on the entire group, the Trump administration should focus more narrowly on the national security threats presented by individual Brotherhood branches and or...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
A More Effective Approach to Countering the Muslim Brotherhood. The Trump administration should focus more narrowly on the national security threats presented by individual Brotherhood branches and organizations, especially those funding Hamas
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
The regime in Iran cares more about destabilizing the region, than its own people
John Hurley, U/S for terrorism & financial intelligence, said Iran funneled ~ $1 billion to #Hezbollah this year despite Western sanctions that have battered its economy. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
John Hurley, U/S for terrorism & financial intelligence, said Iran funneled ~ $1 billion to #Hezbollah this year despite Western sanctions that have battered its economy. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.reuters.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The regime in Iran cares more about destabilizing the region, than its own people
John Hurley, U/S for terrorism & financial intelligence, said Iran funneled ~ $1 billion to #Hezbollah this year despite Western sanctions that have battered its economy. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
John Hurley, U/S for terrorism & financial intelligence, said Iran funneled ~ $1 billion to #Hezbollah this year despite Western sanctions that have battered its economy. www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Matthew Levitt
New from @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Michael Jacobson in @foreignpolicy.com: "If the past is precedent, then Hezbollah will rely heavily on those international networks to bounce back from its recent setbacks."
Hezbollah Is Down But Not Out
Undermining the group in Lebanon requires targeting its networks abroad.
foreignpolicy.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
New from @mattlevitt.bsky.social and Michael Jacobson in @foreignpolicy.com: "If the past is precedent, then Hezbollah will rely heavily on those international networks to bounce back from its recent setbacks."
Hezbollah Is Down But Not Out. Undermining the group in Lebanon requires targeting its networks abroad.
@WashInstitute @ForeignPolicy
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/06/h...
@WashInstitute @ForeignPolicy
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/06/h...
Hezbollah Is Down But Not Out
Undermining the group in Lebanon requires targeting its networks abroad.
foreignpolicy.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Hezbollah Is Down But Not Out. Undermining the group in Lebanon requires targeting its networks abroad.
@WashInstitute @ForeignPolicy
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/06/h...
@WashInstitute @ForeignPolicy
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/06/h...
Another Hamas weapons cache found in Europe, this time in Vienna. For full story & context of Hamas plots in Europe see ‘Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?’ In CTC Sentinel @WestPoint_USMA @WashInstitute www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
apnews.com/article/aust...
apnews.com/article/aust...
Weapons cache linked to Hamas found in Vienna by Austria's intelligence service
The Austrian government says its domestic intelligence service has uncovered a weapons cache in Vienna.
apnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Another Hamas weapons cache found in Europe, this time in Vienna. For full story & context of Hamas plots in Europe see ‘Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?’ In CTC Sentinel @WestPoint_USMA @WashInstitute www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
apnews.com/article/aust...
apnews.com/article/aust...
For full context, see my piece in CTC Sentinel Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy... @washinstitute.bsky.social
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy... @washinstitute.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
For full context, see my piece in CTC Sentinel Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy... @washinstitute.bsky.social
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy... @washinstitute.bsky.social
British man arrested in #Hamas plot www.itv.com/news/2025-11...
www.itv.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
British man arrested in #Hamas plot www.itv.com/news/2025-11...
Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for the freight and shipping sector - GOV.UK www.gov.uk/government/p...
Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for the freight and shipping sector
www.gov.uk
November 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Countering Russian sanctions evasion: guidance for the freight and shipping sector - GOV.UK www.gov.uk/government/p...
#Hezbollah Is Rearming, Putting Cease-Fire at Risk. Some of those weapons are coming in via seaports and weakened but still functional smuggling routes through Syria, some of the people said. Hezbollah is manufacturing some new weapons itself www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Hezbollah Is Rearming, Putting Cease-Fire at Risk
The Lebanese militant group is rebuilding its battered ranks and armaments, defying the terms of the cease-fire and raising the possibility of renewed conflict with Israel.
www.wsj.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
#Hezbollah Is Rearming, Putting Cease-Fire at Risk. Some of those weapons are coming in via seaports and weakened but still functional smuggling routes through Syria, some of the people said. Hezbollah is manufacturing some new weapons itself www.wsj.com/world/middle...
UK Sanctions Aliakbar Ansari for funding IRGC
search-uk-sanctions-list.service.gov.uk/designations... @FCDOGovUK
search-uk-sanctions-list.service.gov.uk/designations... @FCDOGovUK
October 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
UK Sanctions Aliakbar Ansari for funding IRGC
search-uk-sanctions-list.service.gov.uk/designations... @FCDOGovUK
search-uk-sanctions-list.service.gov.uk/designations... @FCDOGovUK
"Des attaques du Hamas à l’international sont possibles" : l’analyse glaçante de l’expert Matthew Levitt – L'Express www.lexpress.fr/idees-et-deb...
"Des attaques du Hamas à l’international sont possibles" : l’analyse glaçante de l’expert Matthew Levitt
Selon cet éminent expert américain en terrorisme, nous sommes encore loin de la paix à Gaza. "Supposer que le Hamas va simplement déposer les armes trahit une incompréhension de ce mouvement", juge-t-...
www.lexpress.fr
October 29, 2025 at 12:47 PM
"Des attaques du Hamas à l’international sont possibles" : l’analyse glaçante de l’expert Matthew Levitt – L'Express www.lexpress.fr/idees-et-deb...
FinCEN Identifies $9 Billion of Iranian Shadow Banking Activity that occurred through U.S. correspondent accounts in 2024
www.fincen.gov/news/news-re...
www.fincen.gov/news/news-re...
FinCEN.gov
WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Financial Trend Analysis (FTA) identifying approximately $9 billion of potential Iranian shadow banking activity that occurred through U.S. correspondent accounts in 2024, based on reporting from U.S. financial institutions.
www.fincen.gov
October 24, 2025 at 12:55 PM
FinCEN Identifies $9 Billion of Iranian Shadow Banking Activity that occurred through U.S. correspondent accounts in 2024
www.fincen.gov/news/news-re...
www.fincen.gov/news/news-re...
When Israel killed Fuad Shukr, & then Ibrahim Aqil, it targeted Hezbollah commanders involved in the Marine Barracks Bombing (42 yrs ago today) & other attacks targeting Americans
The Death of a Hezbollah Lifer - @washinstitute.bsky.social www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
The Death of a Hezbollah Lifer - @washinstitute.bsky.social www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
The Death of a Hezbollah Lifer
For more than four decades, the late terrorist and military commander Fuad Shukr was at the forefront of the group’s most destabilizing activities, from killing American, European, and Israeli soldier...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
When Israel killed Fuad Shukr, & then Ibrahim Aqil, it targeted Hezbollah commanders involved in the Marine Barracks Bombing (42 yrs ago today) & other attacks targeting Americans
The Death of a Hezbollah Lifer - @washinstitute.bsky.social www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
The Death of a Hezbollah Lifer - @washinstitute.bsky.social www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
42 yrs ago #Hezbollah targeted US & French multi-national forces in Lebanon (& tried to hit Italians) at Iran's behest. I discuss Hezbollah's early attacks with #Fred_Burton & #Magnus_Ranstorp on Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule @washinstitute.bsky.social www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Podcast: Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule Season 1
Listen to a podcast series shining a bright light on the global terrorist and criminal activities that Lebanese Hezbollah would rather keep hidden from view.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
October 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
42 yrs ago #Hezbollah targeted US & French multi-national forces in Lebanon (& tried to hit Italians) at Iran's behest. I discuss Hezbollah's early attacks with #Fred_Burton & #Magnus_Ranstorp on Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule @washinstitute.bsky.social www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Very pleased to welcome back #MichaelJacobson to @washinstitute.bsky.social after several years @statedept.govmirrors.com CT office. In his 1st piece since leaving State, Jacobson explains what Trump's forthcoming Counterterrorism Strategy Should Say www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
What a Trump Counterterrorism Strategy Should Say
Some of the administration’s counterterrorism actions have diverged from the strategy outlined during the president’s first term and from longstanding U.S. policy, raising important questions that sho...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Very pleased to welcome back #MichaelJacobson to @washinstitute.bsky.social after several years @statedept.govmirrors.com CT office. In his 1st piece since leaving State, Jacobson explains what Trump's forthcoming Counterterrorism Strategy Should Say www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Honored to testify before Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control alongside these bright minds, each of whom has appeared on my Hezbollah podcast. Check it out here www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy... @washinstitute.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Honored to testify before Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control alongside these bright minds, each of whom has appeared on my Hezbollah podcast. Check it out here www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy... @washinstitute.bsky.social
Reposted by Matthew Levitt
@mattlevitt.bsky.social testified before the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control on how Hezbollah's postwar cash shortfall will likely spur it to double down on raising money via its extensive criminal networks in the West to fill the gap, as it has in the past.
Global Gangsters: Hezbollah’s Latin American Drug Trafficking Operations
The director of the Institute’s counterterrorism program testifies on how the group’s postwar funding crunch will likely spur it to double down on raising money via its extensive criminal networks in ...
www.washingtoninstitute.org
October 21, 2025 at 9:06 PM
@mattlevitt.bsky.social testified before the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control on how Hezbollah's postwar cash shortfall will likely spur it to double down on raising money via its extensive criminal networks in the West to fill the gap, as it has in the past.
Global Gangsters: #Hezbollah’s Latin American Drug Trafficking Operations @SenateDems @SenateGOP @WashInstitute www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
October 21, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Global Gangsters: #Hezbollah’s Latin American Drug Trafficking Operations @SenateDems @SenateGOP @WashInstitute www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Tune in tomorrow to this Senate testimony where I'll explain why #Hezbollah is likely to rely on illicit sources of income, including drug trafficking & money laundering, to make up it's financial shortfall--& why focusing on Free Trade Zones is so important
www.drugcaucus.senate.gov/hearings/glo...
www.drugcaucus.senate.gov/hearings/glo...
Global Gangsters: Hezbollah’s Latin American Drug Trafficking Operations - Caucus on International Narcotics Control
On Tuesday, October 21 at 2 p.m., the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control will hold a hearing titled, “Global Gangsters: Hezbollah’s Latin American Drug Trafficking Operations.” The heari...
www.drugcaucus.senate.gov
October 20, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Tune in tomorrow to this Senate testimony where I'll explain why #Hezbollah is likely to rely on illicit sources of income, including drug trafficking & money laundering, to make up it's financial shortfall--& why focusing on Free Trade Zones is so important
www.drugcaucus.senate.gov/hearings/glo...
www.drugcaucus.senate.gov/hearings/glo...
Reposted by Matthew Levitt
Thirty-one years ago, amid the prospect of Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territory, international actors sought to disarm Hamas and exclude it from governance. The decisions the group made offer a preview of how it might act now, writes @mattlevitt.bsky.social.
Hamas Is Not Done Fighting
As it has in the past, the group will retrench and rearm.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Thirty-one years ago, amid the prospect of Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territory, international actors sought to disarm Hamas and exclude it from governance. The decisions the group made offer a preview of how it might act now, writes @mattlevitt.bsky.social.