ISIS and the Bondi Beach Assault
The ongoing ISIS danger. Following the shooting that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach last week, Australia’s prime minister disclosed what law enforcement had discovered thus far regarding the shooters’ motives: They were motivated, he stated, by “Islamic State ideology.” Authorities discovered two homemade Islamic State flags in the vehicle that belonged to the suspects, Sajid and Naveed Akram. Officials assert that the father-son duo had recently visited the southern Philippines, an area where ISIS is still active. ISIS once governed a region in Syria and Iraq that was larger than Portugal. It trained countless young jihadists and inspired a continuous series of terrorist acts throughout the mid-2010s. Some of these attacks were executed by individuals who had received training from the organization, while others stemmed from so-called lone wolf incidents motivated by its radical ideology. As I noted last month, Islamist assaults in the West occur less frequently today. By 2017, the organization had lost nearly all its territory, seemingly diminishing its ability to conduct sophisticated operations that previously resulted in dozens of casualties at once. Therefore, what does it imply that ISIS has once more been associated with a lethal attack? I consulted some of my colleagues to better grasp the group’s enduring influence, despite its downturn.
A recognizable trend. The mass shooting at Bondi Beach reflects the patterns seen in numerous ISIS-inspired attacks. Since its formation in 2013, ISIS has instructed its followers to target assemblies of non-Muslims and maximize casualties using any available methods, as noted by my colleague Lizzie Dearden. The organization has long urged followers to focus on nations, such as Australia, that allied with the U.S. in bombing ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria. Terrorism expert Peter Neumann from King’s College London informed me that over the past two years, the conflict in Gaza has additionally emerged as a radicalizing element. Despite the presence of ISIS flags, it remains unclear if the shooters at Bondi Beach had direct interaction with ISIS or their precise motivations. The ties between ISIS and its followers are frequently unclear. However, ISIS instructs its adherents that prior authorization for an attack is unnecessary; Lizzie observes, they should “leave behind evidence or insignia” to signify their inspiration.
A trip to the Philippines. Officials report that the Akrams recently journeyed to Davao in the southern Philippines, where an ISIS affiliate retains influence. This area has a long history of Muslim insurgents seeking to establish an independent state, according to my colleagues Jason Gutierrez and Sui-Lee Wee. In 2017, fighters affiliated with ISIS laid siege to the city of Marawi for five months. The Philippines launched a considerable offensive to remove them. Even after the group was defeated, attacks have continued. In 2023, militants detonated an explosive during a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University in Marawi, resulting in four deaths and numerous injuries. Australian authorities state that the Bondi Beach suspects arrived in the region in early November and stayed for approximately a month. They are just starting to investigate the activities of the Akrams during their stay.
Hazardous affiliates. The presence of ISIS in its primary former stronghold — the area between Syria and Iraq — has significantly decreased, yet it has not entirely vanished. A suicide bomber with apparent links to the group targeted a Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus last summer, resulting in at least 20 fatalities. This weekend, a member of Syria’s security forces opened fire on U.S. troops, killing two soldiers and an American civilian interpreter. We currently lack substantial information about the gunman and his motives. President Trump mentioned that the Islamic State was responsible for the attack but did not provide any evidence to support this claim. A Syrian government spokesman indicated that the shooter held “extremist” views. ISIS has yet to claim responsibility. Experts have indicated that the loss of territory has greatly reduced ISIS’s ability to orchestrate large-scale assaults. However, the Akrams’ journey to the Philippines may suggest the significance of less expansive regions where ISIS continues to hold influence. The ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan, known as ISIS-K, was behind a concert hall attack in Moscow last year that claimed 149 lives. This same group was connected to an attempted attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna that was thwarted. Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst, informed my colleague Eric Schmitt that the Bondi Beach incident “serves as further evidence of the ongoing threat posed by the Islamic State’s affiliates.”
A strategy to support Ukraine’s Army. U.S. and European diplomats, who have been in discussions with Ukraine’s leaders over the last two days in Berlin, have formulated a plan to strengthen Ukraine’s Army as part of efforts to achieve a cease-fire. This plan involves enlarging the Ukrainian military, enhancing cooperation with American intelligence, and deploying European forces within Ukraine to discourage any further invasion, according to insiders knowledgeable about the documents. However, Russia is not included in the negotiations and has shown little interest in reaching an agreement. This week seems to present a crucial moment for the conflict, as European leaders prepare to make a decision on a distinct proposal aimed at financing Ukraine and its military endeavors, utilizing Russian assets that have been frozen.
Trump’s chief of staff, unfiltered. A striking new article has detailed a year’s worth of candid conversations with the usually reticent Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, who revealed insights ranging from President Trump’s “alcoholic’s personality” to the escalating conflict in Venezuela. Wiles characterized Vice President JD Vance as a “conspiracy theorist” and labeled Russell Vought, the White House budget director, “a right-wing absolute zealot.” She also had unflattering remarks concerning Elon Musk. “He’s an odd, odd duck, as I believe geniuses are,” she remarked. “You know, it’s not constructive, but he is certainly his own person.” She further called him “an avowed ketamine” user. Here are the key points.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY “Those robots are in love — we’re not”— In celebration of the holidays (a particularly popular period for ending relationships), The Times asked readers for their favorite breakup lines. Lu Valena from Boston recounted using this line on her boyfriend of five years as the credits rolled on the Disney film “Wall-E.” Jane Austen’s 250th birthday was celebrated this week. Her literature has had a groundbreaking impact globally, noted for its romantic narratives, insights into the lives of the English gentry, and its clever humor. In her honor, The Times has gathered a selection of the wealth, wonder, and eccentricity Austen has contributed to our lives. We highlighted her work through 25 objects, including the walnut table where she penned her stories, and created an Austen trivia quiz. Additionally, for admirers of “Pride and Prejudice,” the Book Review sought to address a contentious query: Who is the ultimate Mr. Darcy?
Panic-buying liquor in Canada. Canadians are purchasing American liquor as if there’s no tomorrow. At least four provinces — Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador — removed U.S. bourbon, whiskey, and other spirits from their liquor stores months ago to protest President Trump’s tariffs. They have now opted to liquidate their stockpiles. Once those bottles are gone, they have no intention of replenishing. The outcome has resulted in a shopping frenzy. “Our joke was that the only thing more popular than removing U.S. liquor from shelves was reintroducing U.S. liquor back onto the shelves,” remarked Wab Kinew, the premier of Manitoba. “People are stocking up.” These meatballs are flavored with Parmesan and berbere seasoning, the fenugreek-and-chile-infused spice blend central to Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisines. Pair them with rice and a salad or vegetables.
Published: 2025-12-16 21:28:00
source: www.nytimes.com
