“The threat to the U.S. from global jihadist groups has escalated in the past three years, with the number of groups increasing by more than 50% and the estimated number of militants doubling.” The past three years, eh? Could that have anything to do with Barack Obama’s weak, feckless, and often outright sympathetic response to Islamic supremacism?
“Jihadist Groups’ Threat To U.S. Grows, Report Says,” by Siobhan Gorman, Wall Street Journal, June 4, 2014:
WASHINGTON—The threat to the U.S. from global jihadist groups has escalated in the past three years, with the number of groups increasing by more than 50% and the estimated number of militants doubling, according to a report to be released on Thursday.
The report by the Rand Corp. think tank, which used public data to take a kind of global census of al Qaeda and related groups, will say the civil war in Syria has been the largest driver of the growth of jihadist activity. Syria is the location that has seen the greatest growth in number of groups and numbers of militants, which now make up more than half of the number of al Qaeda-sympathizing jihadists world-wide.
“It’s become a breeding ground for jihadist activity,” said the report’s author, Seth Jones, associate director of Rand’s International Security and Defense Policy Center.
In the past few months, militants there have shown growing interest in tapping Western resources and mounting attacks outside Syria, he said, noting last week’s suicide attack by an American in Syria, in addition to recent arrests of alleged Syrian-trained fighters in France and Spain, as well as one allegedly involved in a deadly shooting last month in Belgium.
The Rand findings also cast doubt on the Obama administration’s efforts to end the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan by 2016 and keep Syria at arm’s length. A complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, the report said, “could seriously jeopardize U.S. security interests,” because of the continuing terrorist presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also calls for a “more aggressive strategy” in Syria, either clandestinely or working with locals.
National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said she couldn’t comment on a report that hadn’t been released, but referred to President Barack Obama’s speech last week where he announced ramped-up partnerships with local allies. In that speech, Mr. Obama also said “U.S. military action cannot be the only—or even primary—component of our leadership in every instance.”
The report, prepared for the defense secretary, appears to be the first public census of al Qaeda and related terrorism groups. It focuses exclusively on “Salafi jihadists,” which subscribe to al Qaeda’s brand of violent jihad.
The number of al Qaeda-sympathizing jihadist groups jumped to 49 from 31 between 2010 and 2013. The number of jihadists has surged similarly. Because it is difficult to get a precise count of jihadist group membership, the report provides ranges. It estimates the total number grew to between 45,510 and 105,510 in 2013, from between 12,945 and 47,810 in 2010….
Transmaster says
All this While the Sultan of Clueless is golfing.
Osbuacmkas says
He’s not clueless, he’s sympathetic to their struggle as are all progressives, republican and democrat.
Salah says
“The number of al Qaeda-sympathizing jihadist groups jumped to 49 from 31 between 2010 and 2013.”
All these groups, including al Qaeda, are offshoots of the Muslim Brotherhood international terrorist organization. Defeated in Egypt, and actually running the White House.
John C. Barile says
And running interference for, covering up [in black abayahs, no doubt], bankrolling, obscuring, fogging-over, and silencing opponents of the Ikhwan; all the while turning a blind eye to hijra, stealth (civilizational) jihad, and persecution of Christians, Jews, et alia
Ashley says
Of course, these are only the “jihadist groups” that we can now recognize and identify. The findings cannot account for the lone wolf jihadist…the scores of individual extremists working solo, bent on bringing America to its knees.
We have come a long way, but there is no form of detection that will expose the darkness within one’s heart and soul.
john spielman says
ALL muslims are potential jihadists, because dying in jihad -battle is the only way to guarantee achieving paradise ( the mythical brothel in the sky) according to Islam’s vile works righteous theology.
John C. Barile says
Non-Salafist “peaceful” jihad–read “global subversion, facilitation and enabling”–is just fine and dandy with this Administration, State, Defense, and Homeland Security now, ain’t it.
John C. Barile says
This report can’t really be true! It just can’t! Why? Wh–why our Illustrious President and our Vice President , too (if I can remember his name–ah, yes: Neil Kinnoch) boldly assured us that al-Qaida and affiliates are DECIMATED! We must believe them–Goebbels–ss, I mean, the White House and State Department SAID SO!!
Lawrence says
Re “The past three years, eh? Could that have anything to do with Barack Obama’s weak, feckless, and often outright sympathetic response to Islamic supremacy?”
What a naive statement. No it is nothing to do with “Barack Obama’s weak, feckless,”… judgements.
It has all – an only – to do with Obama’s, Hilary’s, and Democrat Radical’s goals, plans, preferences and policies.
Please stop being naive. Obama – but not only Obama – is a Jahadist. His – and their – most recent actions reconstituted the management of the Taliban. I say that because the five they let go happen to be the most influential five Taliban in the history of the Taliban who are still alive.
You think this an accident? You actually think that at the UN when Obama said that “we (meaning him and the Democrats) cannot allow the future to belong to those who slander the Prophet of Islam” that he didn’t mean it?
Do you think that it is a coincidence that when the possible AWOL or Deserters Mr Father at the press conference recited an Arabic prayer that then and only then Obama smiled?
How incredulous are you? How incredulous are we?
boakai ngombu says
The past three years, eh? Could that have anything to do with Barack Obama’s weak, feckless, and often outright sympathetic response to Islamic supremacism?
you miss the sarcasm, Lawrence.
it seem that all POTUS and gang do is weak and feckless
it’s either that, or, the Allah god of Islam (unknowable; the best of all deceivers) seems to be waging a victorious assault, without having to depend upon adherents, enslaved to the wonderful SHARIA, but instead upon those aligned from academe and big business and POTUS’S bro, Malik and his gang … and don’t forget George and Valerie and Grover
Ashley says
Amen, Lawrence.
I take comfort (very little, but still comfort) that there is a general sense of public outrage regarding this unsanctioned “deal” even among liberals. Obama isn’t going to be able to put a spin on this. He brokered a deal to release five known Taliban in exchange for the release of an AMERICAN Taliban. Even a third-grader can calculate the flawed formula.
If there is a silver lining in this debacle it is this: Obama has shown his true colors…his true intentions…and his true anti-American loyalties. It is unfortunate (criminal) that we are now at greater risk then we were just a few short days ago…at the hand of our Commander-in-Chief.
Walter Sieruk says
All these jihadist groups base the killing and violence of their Islamic murders on the militant jihadism ofthe Quran, Sura 2:216. 9:111,112. 47:4. Be these violent Islamic groups al Qaeda, Ansar al Islam, Boko Haram, Hezbollah, Hamas, PIJ etc. It stands that if Islam is represented as a tree then the deadly and murderous Islamic terror groups as those just named are the fruits of the tree. With this stated the Wisdom ofthe words and teachings of Jesus do very much apply to this subject. For Jesus taught “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thisles ? Even so every good tree bringth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” After saying this Jesus told them what He told them when He said “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Mattthew 7:16,17,18,20. In conclusion, Islam is a corrupt tree andalso a false religion, Proverbs 14:12. John 3:16,17.36. 14:6. First John 2:22,23.
mariam rove says
But according to Obama and cameron all is well and we don’t need to be worried. So sleep tight and all is well. M