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, Chief, Counterterrorism Integration Group, Defense Intelligence Agency 
• Ella Fitzgerald, Vice President, Division Manager, Homeland & 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 
• Tucker Henry, Geopolitical Risk & Security Intelligence, Dragonfly & Oxford Analytica 
• 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.

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About Homeland Security Today

Homeland Security Today is the leading independent, non-profit, non-partisan information and analysis platform serving government, industry, academia, and practitioners across the homeland security community. Founded in 2004 and now produced by the Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC), HSToday provides trusted, timely, and actionable insights on policy, operations, and innovation that safeguard the United States. HSToday is also home to Pracademic Affairs, the leading journal for research and insights developed by practitioners in homeland security and emergency management.

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The Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC) is a non--profit, non-partisan 501(c)(6) association of innovative CEOs that create, develop, and implement solutions for the Federal homeland and national security sector, and the owner of the Homeland Security Today (HSToday) media platform. HSToday is dedicated to informing and supporting the efforts of public, private, nonprofit, and academic organizations and practitioners engaged in the homeland security mission. Since its inception as a for-profit publication in 2004, and as a nonprofit as of 2017, HSToday has provided award-winning news and analysis revealing the challenges, opportunities and successes of the United States’ homeland and national security and intelligence communities.

For more information on the Homeland Security Today, please visit www.hstoday.us. For more information on the Government Technology & Services Coalition (GTSC), visit www.GTSCoalition.com.