John Rosenthal

John Rosenthal is a European-based journalist and political analyst who writes on transatlantic security issues and EU politics. He is the author of The Jihadist Plot: The Untold Story of Al-Qaeda and the Libyan Rebellion. His articles have appeared in such publications as Al-Monitor, World Affairs, Policy Review, The Wall Street Journal Europe, Les Temps Modernes and Die Weltwoche, as well as numerous online media. You can follow his work at www.trans-int.com.

Blame Belgium! How France Ignores Its Homegrown Terror Problem

Opinion - Feb 14, 2016

cc Mstyslav Chernov, modified, Dozens of mourning people captured during civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks victims. Western Europe, France, Paris, place de la République, November 15, 2015.

Blaming Belgium won't change the fact that France has a homegrown terrorism problem.

France 2015 Regional Elections: Le Pen’s Presidential Hopes Dashed?

Situation Reports - Dec 18, 2015

Marine Le Pen, France, Generated by Google Gemini AI on August 7, 2025. All flags, maps, and likenesses contained within this image are not necessarily accurate representations of reality.

For the National Front, victory or defeat is a matter of its run-off opponent.

The Dubious “Mastermind”: Abdelhamid Abaaoud and the Paris Attacks

Situation Reports - Dec 02, 2015

cc Chris93, modified, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Police_-_rue_de_la_R%C3%A9publique_Saint-Denis_-_18_nov_2015_%28cropped%29.jpg

There are numerous reasons for doubt about the Belgian jihadist’s role.

How Many Euro-Jihadists Are Really in Syria?

Situation Reports - May 10, 2015

cc Flickr U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos, modified, public domain, Iraqi security forces soldiers pause for a photo during react to enemy contact training at Camp Taji, Iraq, Feb. 25, 2017. The soldiers attended a Junior Leaders Course led by Coalition forces designed to enhance basic combat skills in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, the global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher Brecht)

The number of European jihadists operating in Syria has been dramatically underestimated.

The Trouble with Germanwings Flight 9525

Opinion - Apr 22, 2015

AI Abstraction of Germanwings Flight 9525, Generated by Google Gemini on August 5, 2025.

There may be more to the story of Germanwings Flight 9525 than what appears in the mainstream media.

Blowback: Charlie Hebdo and the Contradictions of Western Policy

Opinion - Jan 31, 2015

cc Olivier Ortelpa from Paris, France, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Je_suis_Charlie,_Paris_11_January_2015_%283%29.jpg

John Rosenthal argues that recent Western foreign policy missteps in Libya and Syria have fueled the rise of radical Islam.