Alex Thurston

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.