Steven Emerson

Steven Emerson
Steven Emerson is considered one of the leading authorities on Islamic extremist networks, financing and operations. He serves as the Executive Director of The Investigative Project on Terrorism, a non-profit organization that serves one of the world's largest storehouses of archival data and intelligence on Islamic and Middle Eastern terrorist groups. Emerson and his staff frequently provide briefings to U.S. government and law enforcement agencies, members of Congress and congressional committees, and print and electronic media on terrorist financing and operational networks of Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and the rest of the worldwide Islamic militant spectrum. Since 9-11, Emerson has been interviewed frequently on all the major television networks and in the national and international print media. The website of the Investigative Project on Terrorism, which was started in September 2007, is now considered one of the top counter-terrorism websites in the world and can be accessed at www.investigativeproject.org. Emerson launched The Investigative Project on Terrorism in 1995, following the November 1994 broadcast of his documentary film, "Jihad in America," on public television. The film exposed clandestine operations of militant Islamic terrorist groups on American soil. For the film, Emerson received numerous awards including the George Polk Award for best television documentary, one of the most prestigious awards in journalism. He also received the top prize from the Investigative Reporters and Editors Organization (IRE) for best investigative report in both print and television for the documentary. The award from IRE was the fourth he had received from that group. The documentary, which was featured on 60 Minutes, has become standard viewing for federal law enforcement and intelligence organizations. Emerson is recognized as one of the first terrorism experts to have testified and warned about the threat of Islamic militant networks operating in the United States and their connections worldwide. In a pioneering congressional testimony delivered in 1998, he specifically warned about the threat of Osama Bin Laden's network. Nearly every one of the terrorist suspects and groups first identified in his 1994 film have been indicted, convicted, or deported since 9-11. Emerson is the author or co-author of six books on terrorism and national security, including: "Jihad Incorporated: A Guide to Militant Islam in the U.S." (Prometheus, 2006) "American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us" (The Free Press, 2002) "Terrorist: The Inside Story of the Highest-Ranking Iraqi Terrorist Ever to Defect to the West" (Villard Books /Random House, 1991) "The Fall of Pan Am 103: Inside the Lockerbie Investigation" (Putnam's Sons, 1990) "Secret Warriors: Inside the Covert Military Operations of the Reagan Era" (Putnam's Sons, 1988) "The American House of Saud: The Secret Petrodollar Connection" (Franklin Watts, 1985) Prior to starting the Investigative Project on Terrorism, Emerson worked as a correspondent for CNN and previously as a senior editor at US News and World Report. His first job in Washington DC in 1977 was as a staff researcher for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has a BA and MA from Brown University and once ran a marathon in 2 hours, 59 minutes, a feat he was never able to repeat again.

ARTICLES BY: Steven Emerson

February 4, 2021 5:35 am

Palestinian Ambassador Draws Harvard Invite Despite a Sketchy Record on Antisemitism

Husam Zomlot has tried to explain away a comment denying the Holocaust, rationalized the Palestinian Authority (PA)'s policy of paying families of terrorists, and minimized...

December 21, 2020 5:31 am

New Study Shows Islamist Violence Remains Top Terror Threat

Islamist extremism remains the most threatening form of terrorism worldwide by far, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2020 report. Among the top...

December 2, 2020 6:38 am

The Palestinian Authority Deceives American Audiences

In an effort to appease the incoming Biden administration, the Palestinian Authority (PA) appears ready to revaluate two contentious obstacles to reconciliation between Israel and...

November 11, 2020 6:41 am

Why Religious Terrorist Groups Are Often the Hardest to Defeat

Religious terrorist organizations, primarily Islamist groups, are far more likely than other ideologically-motivated groups to launch and fight a sustained insurgency, a new study shows. Most...

October 19, 2020 6:45 am

American Muslims for Palestine Pushes Debunked Israeli Police Exchange Narrative

The video is just over two minutes long, but it sure is disturbing. Blindfolded Palestinian detainees appear next to an image of American police in...

September 17, 2020 6:10 am

News Flash: Fatah Still Calls for Intifada Against Israel

Whether Israel's government considers pursuing annexation or decides against it, Palestinian factions of all stripes seem to find any justification to threaten violence against the...

August 17, 2020 4:31 am

Prioritizing Violence Over Development, Hamas Resumes Arson Attacks to Coerce Concessions

Tensions are on the rise between Israel and Hamas after the terrorist group recently resumed its arson terrorism campaign, encouraging Palestinians to launch incendiary balloons...

July 26, 2020 4:56 am

The Palestinian Authority Prefers Conflict With Israel Over COVID-19 Mitigation

Instead of working collaboratively with Israel to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Palestinian leaders are choosing to incite violence against the Jewish state through baseless conspiracy...

July 19, 2020 3:47 am

Hamas Courts Iran and Terrorist Allies to Fight Israel — Annexation or Not

Over the past month, Hamas has ramped up its diplomatic efforts to secure additional financial and military support to deter Israel from annexing parts of...

July 15, 2020 4:51 am

New Report Confirms Al Jazeera’s Role as Qatari Agent

An explosive new report released last week by former US Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R-FL), provides compelling evidence that the Al Jazeera television network has been...

July 7, 2020 6:01 am

Ahead of West Bank Move, Fatah Threatens Terrorist Uprising, Unity With Hamas

An adviser to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened Israel with the possibility of a third Intifada (violent uprising) if Israel decides to...

July 5, 2020 3:04 am

Anti-Israel Rallies Display Outrageous Hatred and Hypocrisy

A chant of "death to Israel" and "death to America" triggered an enthusiastic response on Wednesday during an anti-Israel protest in Brooklyn. Similar rallies were held...

June 29, 2020 4:48 am

Palestinian Rams a Checkpoint: Death, Lies, and Videotape

Two recent deaths, each captured on video, generated two different reactions about accepting truth rather than clinging to flawed narratives. Video of George Floyd's death under...

June 22, 2020 4:49 am

Hamas Is Not Letting Up Against Israel

Some individuals serve as terrorist entrepreneurs or enablers, working with multiple militant organizations of different backgrounds. Mohammed al-Zawari, an engineer who contributed to drone arsenals...