What Do Iran's Actions Mean for Islamist Terrorism?

By Douglas Farah

As my colleague Jeffrey Imm points out on the Counterterrorism Blog, there are reports of Iran's attempt to gain influence in the traditional al Qaeda structure. This an interesting development, especially when coupled with another, equally ominous and interesting development: Iran's likely involvement with the Islamic Court Union in Somalia.

This is a stark departure across Sunni-Shi'ite differences, and one that, if true, could portend a serious realignment within the different Islamist camps. Such a cross-pollination is also significant given the recent and ongoing Sunni-Shi'ite massacres, based solely on religion, taking place in Iraq.

A soon-to-be published United Nations panel of experts outlined Iran's contacts in Somalia, including the taking of several hundred Somali fighters to Lebanon to fight with Hezbollah. My full blog is here.

TrackBack