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Africa North
Al-Qaida Resurgent As Terror Spreads Across N. Africa
2013-01-18
Islamofascism: The terrorist attack on a vast Algerian gas plant Wednesday shows a resurgent al-Qaida that puts the lie to the Obama administration's claim that the war on terror is all but over. It may in fact be just beginning.

Everything about the al-Qaida "Blood Brigade" attack on the Al Amenas natural gas plant 800 miles east of Algiers — where hundreds of workers, including Americans, were taken hostage in a bloody standoff — suggests an organization growing in strength with a bigger game than just retaliating for the French invasion of Mali.

You'd never know that from our silent White House, which has continually downplayed the new horrors after Benghazi and has yet to call a terrorist a terrorist.

Even so, here are the awful facts:

• Algeria is the "big dog" on the block in the Maghreb, a nonfailed state with a $267 billion economy, 90% of which comes from oil and gas.

Its leadership in the region makes al-Qaida's strike there effectively a strike at the king. The attack shows that al-Qaida has the capacity to attack the strongest regional state to retaliate for Mali. That sends an unambiguous message to the region full of weaker states.

Last October, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sought Algeria's help on the terrorist takeover of Mali because it was the strongest state. Now it's a target.

• The natural gas plant attacked was operated by state-owned Sonatrach, Algeria's largest consortium, accounting for 30% of the country's GNP. Its high gas production (9 billion cubic meters a year) is the product of partnerships with the West and Japan based on Algeria's 2005 reforms. Seizing it took unusual planning and preparation, another sign of terrorist strength.

• Mali is important, too — as a source of cash. Al-Qaida in the Maghreb is a well-financed organization that gets its cash from cigarette smuggling and its control of air routes in Mali now being used by drug lords flying in their loads from Hugo Chavez's Venezuela, ever since Chavez cut drug cooperation with the U.S. in 2005, with few repercussions from the U.S.

• The extreme violence in Mali is a sign of al-Qaida strength. It's not just the Shariah-law amputations and beheadings that terrorize the Malians. For years, Mali has been a weak backwater, with one unusual source of excellence, its exquisite music, which is a powerhouse in World Music.

It's also destroying Mali's only other cash cow, its ancient city of Timbuktu, which until recently attracted tourists. These are the cultural actions of terrorists intent on destroying a national identity for the sake of financing a greater war.

This ought to be a major concern, but the Obama administration's impulse has always been to dismiss the war on terror as a relic of Bush administration warmongering, dismissing even the murder of a U.S. ambassador in Libya as the act of an overexcited mob instead of the coldly organized terrorist attack it was.

Now the problem is getting bigger. And they remain blind to it.
Posted by:Beavis

#8  Its about time people in the West were self sufficient without the need for middle eastern oil.

Ho Chi Omaigum4727, according to BP, the U.S could become the world's top oil producer this year.
Posted by: trailing wife   2013-01-18 23:12  

#7  Whoever thought it was a good idea to spend American money fostering radical Sunni Islam should at the very least be in prison, and possibly looking at the electric chair.
How true.The Bush/Saudi connection has caused havoc in the world with Saudi funded Jihadis running around without any fear of the West.

Give the muslims their Sharia Law if they want it and see them wallow in their ignorance/poverty.

Its about time people in the West were self sufficient without the need for middle eastern oil.

Had enough of this jidadi bullshit.
Posted by: Ho Chi Omaigum4727   2013-01-18 19:19  

#6  The Hussien Regime armed Al Qaeda Northern Africa when he destabalized Egypt and Libya with the over throw of Mubarack and Khadafy, replacing them with the radical Muslim Brotherhood.

Al Qaeda is now solidifying there assault on Americans within North their reach in North Africa. The Dictionary book burnings (cannot use certain non PC terms) and the disarmament of Americans domestically is Husseins' continued support of Islamic elements world wide. Impeachment of Hussein is only the first step to be taken or Americans will continue to be hunted down, something I predicted here while many seemed to be passing the popcorn while watching Khadify and his sons being hunted down and butchered in Lybia.
Posted by: wr   2013-01-18 16:42  

#5  puts the lie to the Obama administration's claim that the war on terror is all but over

Is there anything whatsoever that, when viewed honestly, doesn't put the lie to Obama?
Posted by: AlanC   2013-01-18 10:47  

#4  From March 2001. A seventh-century Buddhist shrine at Tap-e-Sardar, near Ghazni in central Afghanistan, is the latest victim of the Taliban's religious edict that pre-Islamic Afghan culture must be destroyed. Blew them up they did. Destruction is their way.
Posted by: JohnQC   2013-01-18 10:41  

#3  @ Clort: Please remind me again how those foks in McClean are doing us any favours.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-01-18 08:08  

#2  Another CIA trained Afghan alumni running the show.

Remind me, how many Afghan commies have killed westerners in the past?

Whoever thought it was a good idea to spend American money fostering radical Sunni Islam should at the very least be in prison, and possibly looking at the electric chair.
Posted by: Clort Elmorong6031   2013-01-18 06:00  

#1  some minor factual problems

- AQ-Maghreb has more funding sources than just drugs. In fact kidnap for ransom probably exceeds the drug cash. They also get direct contributions from rich moslems in the peninsula.

- The destruction of cultural shrines in Mali isn't a cultural war as such. Its the result of a particular religious imperative (to AQ, Shrines are a source of idolatry)
Posted by: lord garth   2013-01-18 05:43  

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