S9 Ep19: Will ISIS Make a Comeback in 2025? with Aaron Zelin

Secrets and Spies - A Spy & Geopolitics Podcast

On today’s episode, Matt is joined by another leading counterterrorism researcher, Aaron Zelin. Aaron has spent years studying the global jihadi movement, focusing on the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. They explore the resurgence of the Islamic State following its territorial defeat in Iraq and Syria in 2017, and the evolving threat the group poses to the United States and other countries—from recent attacks in Iran, Russia, and New Orleans, and the organizational restructuring that’s made them rather resilient. Unpack these critical issues with one of the foremost experts in the field.
Read Aaron’s work for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/aaron-y-zelin
Read Aaron’s Substack, Jihadology+: https://www.jihadologyplus.com
Read Aaron’s past work for Jihadology: https://jihadology.net
"A Globally Integrated Islamic State" by Aaron Zelin | War on the Rocks
"Remaining, Waiting for Expansion (Again): The Islamic State’s Operations in Iraq and Syria" by Aaron Zelin | The Hudson Institute
Follow Aaron on Twitter/X: https://x.com/azelin
Follow Aaron on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/azelin.bsky.social

Support Secrets and Spies

Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies
Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996

Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg
For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com

Connect with us on social media

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social
Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies
Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies
Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies
Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/fultonmatt.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social
Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD.
Music by Andrew R. Bird