An update on this story. While U.S. operations have been making Swiss cheese of al-Qaeda's operational structure in Pakistan, another threat has been quietly emerging over a broader geographical area. The rise of any of the current "Big 3" jihadist groups in Africa, Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (or the Apparently-Not-Islamic-Enough Maghreb) is cause for concern, but reports of collaboration between all three groups obviously escalates the threat not only for the African continent, but for its use as a forward operating base for targets across the Mediterranean and beyond.
All of them were once local groups, pursuing supposedly "local" grievances with local "underlying causes," but they have found common cause because they share the same aim: the imposition of Sharia law, which is the goal of jihad in all of its forms. "Terror threat 'very worrying' in Africa: US general," from Agence France-Presse, September 15:
Africa must improve security cooperation in battling extremists or face the prospect of a continent-wide terror network threatening the region and the United States, a top US commander warned Wednesday.
General Carter Ham, head of US African command AFRICOM, said countries in North Africa face increasing threats from terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda affiliates who wish to join forces -- as well as from extremists in Libya who might fan out to other locales, bringing a proliferation of weapons and an exodus of people from the war-torn country.
"Al-Qaeda main may be somewhat diminished, but the affiliates, both acknowledged and those who would like to be affiliated, may be gaining in capacity. And that's what I see in Africa and that's what concerns me," Ham told reporters in Washington.
He said three groups form the greatest threat: the Algeria-based Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has claimed numerous terrorist attacks in the region; the militant Shebab operating out of Somalia and East Africa; and Islamist group Boko Haram, blamed for repeated attacks in Nigeria including a bomb blast at UN headquarters in Abuja in August.
"Each of those three independently I think presents a significant threat, not only in the nations in which they primarily operate, but regionally, and I think they present a threat to the United States," Ham said.
The organizations have "very explicitly and publicly" voiced intent to target the West, and while Ham said he questions their capability to do so, "I have no question about their intent to do so."
The four arrested in Sweden last weekend on suspicion of planning a jihadist attack were reported to have connections to al-Shabaab.
He also warned that the groups have expressed intent to "more closely collaborate and synchronize their efforts" in training and operations.
"If left unaddressed, you could have a network that ranges from East Africa, through the center and into the Sahel and Magreb, and I think that would be very, very worrying."
Ham said US cooperation with regional partners was vital, and that while African nations must take the lead, Washington is providing assistance to countries like Mali.
But when pressed on specifics of US operations, including the possible use of military drones over Somalia, Ham was dry on the details.
"I like the fact that Al-Shebab and other extremist leaders in some parts of the world don't know where we are, what we might do, what we are doing, what we're not doing," he said.
While U.S. operations have been making Swiss cheese of al-Qaeda's operational structure in Pakistan, another threat has been quietly emerging over a broader geographical area.
If the US keeps trying to isolate 'terrorist' organizations from their larger islamic context, it will continue draining its resources and servicemens' lives playing whack-a-mole. This is an ideological war that must be dealt with the same way the cold war was conducted -- militarily, intellectually and culturally. Unfortunately there doesn't seem much chance of that happening under the Hussein administration.
"the Hussein administration"
Worded exactly right. Hussein.
Ominously in Africa islam as about to unleash inescapable configurations resulting in much tragedy, war and death. Africa definitely as the general warns, will become one of the major battlegrounds fought against the jihad.
Early in this century,the renewed islamic fervor to conquer and dominate in the name of allah and islam, easily will take advantage of it's territorial proximity to neighboring African states. With the West politically neutered and weighed down by feeble if not naive and short sighted leadership, islamists with their new and improved arms will be seen to descend down throughout Africa onto mostly defenseless non-muslim Africans.
Africa is for the taking.
It is too much to expect the U.S. to respond to African violence.We simply can not afford it.We give Africa billions in aid every year.
Let Europe and Russia solve the African problems,they are more familiar with the issues and the US is weary of the false Russian,European and muslim accusations.
It is important to discuss openly the Koran and other holly books of Islam which are incompatible with cultural divesity and are inciting young Muslims to terrorism and hatred of Jews, Christians and "infidels". The truth about islam needs to be known, rather than allowing whitewashing by "moderate" Muslims their nasty religion that is incompatible with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ANY country that still had not signed onto this Universal document needs to be expelled from UN and not country should be allowed to join unless they practice the rules of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Any country that has Sharia is not to be allowed to the civilized community of nations, since sharia is incompatible with human rights of individuals.
The Islam had a draw in Africa because it promotion of equality (as long as they submit) and accessibility to all people (black Muslims in US) and its incentive of being beheaded if you don't join ;-)! There goes freedom of choice. Islam is a violent religion not like all other religions. While other religions have a lot of nonsense in their "holly" writings, none is as vile as Islam in Koran which promotes animosity toward Jews, Christians, infidels and ex extols "eternal" life at the expense of the life on Earth. Koran is the main incentive for young men to be persuaded to blow themselves up and become martyrs, i.e. murderers of Jews, Americans and Europeans in the name of a blood-thirsty Allah in order to get into Paradise with 72 virgins. Considering that most Muslims countries are a basket case economically and those young men do not have much prospect for a good life on Earth, they chose death, as promoted in Koran.
We will win the identical war. We don't need Obama.
Perhaps General Ham should look at the White House appointments roster when he says;
"I like the fact that Al-Shebab and other extremist leaders in some parts of the world don't know where we are, what we might do, what we are doing, what we're not doing,".
I respect his intentions and his confidence, but, with his words he tossed out a gauntlet, again, with which we've already been slapped silly - bloody. And, remember, even with our growing investments over time, employing the capable nationals, we never colonized.
The key should be in 1. securing (defending) our own interests, 2. marginalizing our liabilities, and evaluating the risk of our largesse, 3. then we might view who accepts our good faith with reciprocal good faith. (QPQ).