The Growing Danger of Al-Qaeda in Iran
- April 22nd, 2013
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As the most recent terrorist attack on the American Continent was thwarted earlier today, Canadian Officials have linked the would-be terrorists to al-Qaeda in Iran. That’s right, al-Qaeda in Iran. Off the bat, this pairing of Sunni and Shia extremists seem highly unlikely. However, al-Qaeda does have outposts in Iran, and this shelter is proving to be the next breeding ground for al-Qaeda to thrive. Though their religious views diverge sharply, al-Qaeda has seen a growing presence in Iran based purely on their mutual enemies, Israel and the United States.
As the drone programs have successfully stomped out top al-Qaeda leaders in Yemen, Pakistan, and Northern Africa, Iran remains one of the few untouched sanctuaries for al-Qaeda leadership, funds, and training facilities. This dangerous partnership, though not as fully pronounced as Pakistan, has the potential for future proxy attacks sponsored by Iran on American and Israeli targets. The two are not working in complete harmony, however, as al-Qaeda remains independent of Iran’s leadership and Iran for now has merely tolerated the terrorist group’s presence.
The Obama Administration needs to pay particular attention to al-Qaeda in Iran. Drone strikes, while successful in countries like Pakistan (our less than friendly ally), won’t necessarily be as easy in Iran. Violating Iranian sovereignty with drone strikes could set off more problems than it solves, especially with Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz and their ever evolving nuclear program. Iran may be seen as a pariah state, but more cooperation is needed between governments to stomp out this threat. The US cannot rid Iran of al-Qaeda alone, and certainly not with the same tactics it employed in other countries. As today’s thwarted attacks have shown, Iran’s harboring and sponsoring of terrorist activity cannot be tolerated, and if nothing is done, Iran might be the seemingly unlikely location of an al-Qaeda revival.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/22/world/americas/canada-terror-plot-thwarted/index.html?hpt=hp_c3
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137061/seth-g-jones/al-qaeda-in-iran
-Ahmed