International Institute for Counter-Terrorism - ICT

This October, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Aimen Dean to the Shabtai Shavit World Summit on Counter-Terrorism 2026.

Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Cruickshank & Dean Global Intelligence, Dean brings a unique perspective shaped by his extraordinary experience operating inside Al-Qaeda before becoming a spy for British intelligence. He is also the author of Nine Lives: My Time as the West’s Top Spy Inside al-Qaeda.

At this year’s Summit, Dean will bring his firsthand insight into terrorist organizations, jihadist networks, intelligence operations, and the evolving global threat landscape.

Join leading policymakers, security professionals, intelligence experts, researchers, and practitioners from around the world for four days of critical discussions on the future of counterterrorism and global security.

📍 Reichman University, Israel

🗓️ October 5–8, 2026

Register today: https://ict.org.il/world-summit-2026/

Speaker Spotlight | Gidi Markuszower

This October, we are pleased to welcome Gidi Markuszower to the Shabtai Shavit World Summit on Counter-Terrorism for the first time.

A Member of the Dutch House of Representatives since 2017 and Chairman of his own parliamentary faction since 2026, Markuszower brings extensive political and parliamentary experience to this year’s Summit. He will join leading policymakers, security professionals, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to discuss the challenges shaping counterterrorism and global security.

📍 Reichman University, Israel

🗓️ October 5–8, 2026

Register today: https://ict.org.il/world-summit-2026/

The battlefield is no longer only physical.

In a new ICT publication, Colonel (Ret.) Gadi Eshed, ICT Fellow, examines how terrorist organizations and other hostile actors exploit the digital environment to project “virtual power” using social media, artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities, disinformation, and cognitive warfare to shape perceptions, influence behavior, and amplify their strategic impact.

The article explores the growing convergence between information warfare and cyberterrorism, the particular vulnerability of younger generations to online influence, and the role of algorithms and the attention economy in amplifying extremist narratives.

As the digital domain becomes an increasingly important arena of strategic competition, the article argues that counterterrorism must evolve accordingly, integrating technological capabilities, regulation, international cooperation, and cognitive resilience.

Read the full article here: https://ict.org.il/virtual-power-information-warfare-and-counterterrorism-in-the-digital-era/

⏺️ Will a U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Deal Reshape the Middle East?

A proposed U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement could have far-reaching implications for regional security, nuclear proliferation, and Israel's strategic position in the Middle East.

While closer U.S.-Saudi cooperation may strengthen bilateral ties, questions remain over the safeguards accompanying the agreement, the absence of a formal link to Saudi-Israeli normalization, and the broader implications for the regional balance of power. As more states pursue advanced nuclear capabilities, the risk of a wider Middle Eastern arms race may grow.

In his latest Ynet op-ed, Avi Kalo, ICT Fellow, examines how the emerging agreement could reshape the regional security landscape and what it may mean for Israel's long-term strategic interests.

Read the full article: https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/by7djtpszl

⏺️ The Middle East Has Changed. Should U.S. Policy Change Too?

The Middle East is undergoing a profound transformation. As regional states strengthen their military, economic, and technological capabilities, traditional assumptions about power and security are rapidly changing.

In this new strategic environment, understanding the region requires looking beyond non-state actors and recognizing the growing role of sovereign states in shaping regional stability, deterrence, and global security.

In her latest National Post op-ed, Dr. Liram Koblentz-Stenzler, Senior Researcher at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), examines how these developments should influence American foreign policy and why adapting to this new reality is essential for long-term strategic success.

Read the full article: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/opinion-sovereign-states-run-the-mideast-american-policy-should-reflect-that

The ICT July 2026 Newsletter is now available.

This month's edition features the latest expert analysis on evolving terrorist threats, new ICT publications, upcoming events, media appearances, and updates on the Shabtai Shavit World Summit on Counter-Terrorism 2026.

Stay informed with timely research and insights from the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism.

Read the newsletter and subscribe to stay up to date:
https://tinyurl.com/ictjulynewsletter

⏺️ New Publication

How have the recent war with Iran and its aftermath reshaped the strategic balance in the Middle East?

In a new analysis, Dr. Doron Itzchakov, Research Fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), examines the strategic implications of the conflict, from Iran's growing maritime leverage and the Strait of Hormuz to the evolving balance of power, Lebanon, and Israel's long-term security challenges.

Read the full article here: https://ict.org.il/strategic-leverage-and-regional-realignment-iran-israel-and-the-new-balance-of-power-in-the-middle-east/

⏺️ Today's Ambassador's Briefing

Today, the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) welcomed more than 60 ambassadors, diplomats, and embassy representatives for a special briefing on two of the most pressing security challenges shaping today's global landscape.

Dr. Col. (Res.) Ori Nissim Levy, Nuclear Defense Expert, Lecturer at Afka College of Engineering, and Chairman of the World Nuclear Forum (WNF-193), opened the session with "The Global Nuclear Chessboard: Iran, Great Powers and the Future of the Middle East."

The second briefing, "How Are Terrorist Organizations Harnessing AI for Their Use?", was presented by Mr. Alexander T. Pack, Director of Projects, ICT.

The briefing provided participants with timely insights into the evolving security environment and the challenges that emerging technologies and geopolitical developments pose to policymakers around the world.

We thank all of the ambassadors, diplomats, and embassy representatives who joined us and look forward to continuing these important discussions.