Alex Thurston is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Cincinnati. He is the author of three books, “Jihadists of North Africa and the Sahel,” “Boko Haram: The History of an African Jihadist Movement” and “Salafism in Nigeria: Islam, Preaching, and Politics.” He holds a doctorate in religious studies from Northwestern University and a master’s in Arab studies from Georgetown University. Follow him on Twitter at @sahelblog.
