New Study on Terrorism in North Africa

By Matthew Levitt

In August 2006, al-Qaeda's second-in-command announced a new alliance with the Algeria-based Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), with the stated aim of becoming a "thorn in the neck" of America and the West. This radical network -- which is little known in the United States but has become one of the top terrorist threats in North Africa -- is active in Europe and may even have connections to aspiring militants in North America.

"Islamist Terrorism in Northwestern Africa: A 'Thorn in the Neck' of the United States?" examines how the intersection of local conflicts with al-Qaeda's global ideology and technological expertise is prompting U.S. officials to focus on North Africa, as both a potential target of attacks and a safe haven or recruiting ground for terrorists intent on attacking elsewhere. In particular, it assesses the State Department-led multi-agency effort to empower counterterrorism partners in countries such as Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia.

The full report is available here.

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