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
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.
Pleasure talking Gaza ceasefire with @ShiraEfron on @FareedZakaria GPS program @cnn this Sunday morning.
@washinstitute.bsky.social @randcorp
@washinstitute.bsky.social @randcorp
October 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Pleasure talking Gaza ceasefire with @ShiraEfron on @FareedZakaria GPS program @cnn this Sunday morning.
@washinstitute.bsky.social @randcorp
@washinstitute.bsky.social @randcorp
Reposted by Matthew Levitt
The deal would give Bukele possession of individuals who threatened to expose the alleged deals his government made with MS-13 to help achieve El Salvador’s historic drop in violence, officials said. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Rubio promised to betray U.S. informants to get Trump’s El Salvador prison deal
To secure U.S. access to President Nayib Bukele’s notorious CECOT prison, Rubio agreed to turn over several MS-13 leaders central to a long-running Justice Department investigation.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The deal would give Bukele possession of individuals who threatened to expose the alleged deals his government made with MS-13 to help achieve El Salvador’s historic drop in violence, officials said. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Catch me on @FareedZakaria GPS Sunday morning news show on @CNN talking Gaza ceasefire, Hamas weapons, and getting to phase 2. Airing at 9am and 1pm @WashInstitute
October 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Catch me on @FareedZakaria GPS Sunday morning news show on @CNN talking Gaza ceasefire, Hamas weapons, and getting to phase 2. Airing at 9am and 1pm @WashInstitute
My latest for CTC Sentinel: Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?
Recent cases in Germany & Denmark reveal that Hamas set in motion contingency planning for possible attacks in Europe several years before the October 7 massacre....
ctc.westpoint.edu/hamas-plots-...
Recent cases in Germany & Denmark reveal that Hamas set in motion contingency planning for possible attacks in Europe several years before the October 7 massacre....
ctc.westpoint.edu/hamas-plots-...
Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations? - Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Abstract: Hamas has never carried out a successful terrorist attack outside of Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza—but not for lack of plotting. Over the years, the group came close to carrying out attacks...
ctc.westpoint.edu
October 16, 2025 at 2:03 AM
My latest for CTC Sentinel: Hamas Plots in Europe: A Shift Toward External Operations?
Recent cases in Germany & Denmark reveal that Hamas set in motion contingency planning for possible attacks in Europe several years before the October 7 massacre....
ctc.westpoint.edu/hamas-plots-...
Recent cases in Germany & Denmark reveal that Hamas set in motion contingency planning for possible attacks in Europe several years before the October 7 massacre....
ctc.westpoint.edu/hamas-plots-...
My latest, in Foreign Affairs: Hamas is Not Done Fighting
31 years ago, Hamas found itself in a difficult position in the wake of the Oslo accords. The decisions it made then offer a preview of how it is likely to operate now
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
31 years ago, Hamas found itself in a difficult position in the wake of the Oslo accords. The decisions it made then offer a preview of how it is likely to operate now
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Hamas Is Not Done Fighting
More than three decades ago, amid the prospect of Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territory, international actors similarly sought to disarm the group and exclude it from governance.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
October 16, 2025 at 1:58 AM
My latest, in Foreign Affairs: Hamas is Not Done Fighting
31 years ago, Hamas found itself in a difficult position in the wake of the Oslo accords. The decisions it made then offer a preview of how it is likely to operate now
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
31 years ago, Hamas found itself in a difficult position in the wake of the Oslo accords. The decisions it made then offer a preview of how it is likely to operate now
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
Reposted by Matthew Levitt
“Hamas is not done fighting,” writes @mattlevitt.bsky.social. As it did in the 1990s, the group will “nod in agreement to the various cease-fire requirements,” while also recruiting new fighters, rearming its members, and refilling its coffers.
Hamas Is Not Done Fighting
As it has in the past, the group will retrench and rearm.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
“Hamas is not done fighting,” writes @mattlevitt.bsky.social. As it did in the 1990s, the group will “nod in agreement to the various cease-fire requirements,” while also recruiting new fighters, rearming its members, and refilling its coffers.