Washington D.C. — Homeland Security Today, the premier nonprofit news and information site for the homeland security community, today launched a major expansion of its Counterterrorism vertical, announcing a dedicated Editorial Board and “Frontline Watch” a new editorial feature, as part of its emphasis on bringing real experts to the counterterrorism mission. Driven by the publication’s growth and increasing demand for deeper, more fact-based insights and understanding of modern-day terrorism, the board reflects an international group of diverse expertise.
Subject matter experts from across government, academia, and industry, will contribute expert analysis, original research, and strategic insight to inform decision-makers across the homeland security enterprise and help bridge the gap between policy and practice.
“As the world gets more dangerous and more complex we are very proud to welcome these renowned experts to help our community collaborate more around pragmatic, solution-oriented conversations and education. Government — and those in the public sector at all levels — must be included in the conversations around what is needed, the threats they must mitigate, and the resources they need. We are the forum that connects front-line homeland security professionals with academia and industry, elevating the most innovative, relevant information and resources to help them protect themselves and the communities they serve. We are extremely proud to welcome our Editorial Board members,” said Kristina Tanasichuk, Executive Editor of Homeland Security Today.
The new members of the Counterterrorism Editorial Board include:
Chair, Dr. Mahmut Cengiz, Associate Professor, George Mason University; Managing Editor, Counterterrorism, HSToday
Mohammed al-Basha, Founder, Basha Report
Dr. Bryan Arva, Director, Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Master’s program; Professorial Lecturer, Department of Justice, Law, and Criminology, the School of Public Affairs, American University
Nabeela Barbari, Vice President, Cyber, Law Enforcement, Intelligence, and Citizenship Business Area, GDIT; former Director, Resilience & Response, White House National Security Council
Jason Blazakis, Professor; Director, Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism, Middlebury Institute of International Studies; former Director, Counterterrorism Finance and Designations Office, Bureau of Counterterrorism, U.S. Department of State
Andrew Borene, Executive Director, Ocient National Security Solutions, Senior Fellow, National Security Institute, George Mason University
Dr. Uran Botobekov, Counterterrorism Analyst; Expert on Central Asian Extremism
Jake Braun, Executive Director, Cyber Policy Initiative, University of Chicago; Former Acting Principal Deputy National Cyber Director; Author, Fentanyl; Chief Executive Officer, Cambridge Global Advisors
Chris Costa, Executive Director, International Spy Museum; Former Special Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism
Brandon Creech, Former Group Supervisor, Homeland Security Investigations; Former U.S. Secret Service Agent
Joe Decie, former Chief, Counterterrorism Integration Group, Defense Intelligence Agency
Ella Fitzgerald, Vice President & Division Manager, Homeland Security & Foreign Affairs, MANTECH
Dr. Asha George, Director, Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense
Dr. Sajjan Gohel, International Security Director, Asia-Pacific Foundation
Rohan Gunaratna, Professor of Security Studies, Nanyang Technological University
James Harris, Assistant Director, Countering Transnational Organized Crime; Director, DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Dr. Suha Hassen, School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University; Columnist, Homeland Security Today
Dexter Ingram, former Director, Office of Violent Extremism; former Acting Director, Office of the Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, U.S. State Department
Dr. Nathan Jones, Associate Professor, Sam Houston State University
Ahmad Mohibi, Founder, Rise to Peace
Claire Moravec, Director of Intelligence Operations for Social Media Exploitation, Sentinel; former FBI Intelligence Leader; former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor to the Governor of Illinois
Dr. Camilo Pardo Herrera, Researcher, George Mason University
Ebrahim Roshandel, former Iranian Diplomat
Jaideep Saikia, Security Analyst; Expert on South Asian Terrorism
David Scott, former Assistant Director, Counterterrorism, FBI
Samet Shabani, Researcher, Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)
Mubin Shaikh, former Undercover Counterterrorism Operative, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS); Editor-at-Large, Intervention, Homeland Security Today
Kristyn Kelly Shapiro, Former SES, Counterterrorism Division, FBI; Associate Director, Defense and Security Guidehouse
Mahmoud Shehrah, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Program, Chatham House
Dr. Mitchell E. Simmons, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired); Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Program Director, Anthony G. Oettinger School of Science and Technology Intelligence, National Intelligence University
Phillip Smyth, Middle East Analyst; Former Soref Fellow, The Washington Institute
Dr. Steven Stalinsky, Executive Director, MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute)
Dr. Lorenzo Vidino, Director, Program on Extremism, George Washington University
Stephanie Yanta, former Profiler, Behavioral Analysis Unit, FBI
Eduardo Zerón García, Former Director General of Intelligence, Attorney General’s Office, Mexico
Dalia Ziada, Coordinator & Research Fellow, Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy
These individuals join a highly respected group of existing contributors who regularly provide in-depth coverage of terrorism, violent extremism, transnational threats, and counterterrorism policy. Collectively, the board represents a broad range of expertise spanning intelligence, law enforcement, military operations, academia, and emerging technologies.
The expansion comes at a time when counterterrorism challenges are increasingly shaped not only by transnational networks, technological innovation, and the convergence of criminal and extremist activity, but also by rapidly evolving global events that are influencing both current operations and the future of counterterrorism strategy. By deepening its bench of expert contributors, Homeland Security Today is enhancing its ability to deliver timely, authoritative analysis on these critical issues.
In their roles, editorial board members contribute to Homeland Security Today through original articles, expert commentary, and participation in special reports and events. Their work supports the publication’s mission to bridge the gap between policy and practice, providing actionable insights to practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders.
This expansion is part of Homeland Security Today’s drive to elevate the editorial platform to meet the demands of an increasingly complex threat landscape. Alongside the Counterterrorism Editorial Board, HSToday is expanding its leadership across critical mission areas—including border security, cybersecurity, transportation and maritime security, emergency management, narrative strategy, prevention, and critical infrastructure protection—building a powerful network of expertise to deliver authoritative, comprehensive insight across the full spectrum of homeland security challenges.
Through these efforts, Homeland Security Today continues to serve as the trusted forum for informed dialogue, advancing knowledge and collaboration across the global homeland security community.
To learn more about Homeland Security Today’s counterterrorism coverage, visit here; to sign up for the Counterterrorism Newsletter, click here.
