As U.S. readies for attack, al-Qaeda will continue to recruit Americans

By T. Stephen Gluf / tod@theklaxon.com / 02.10.2010

Updated on: 02.10.10 at 10:48 pm

Sargodha Police Department

Senior U.S. intelligence officials, including the head of the CIA, said last week al-Qaeda likely would strike the United States by July. Some officials state the individuals already are in place in the U.S. and are waiting for the appropriate moment to attack.

In order to facilitate their efforts and keep their operation as covert as possible, however, al-Qaeda has expressed interest in recruiting individuals entirely of American descent—or even Muslims—who either have been born in the U.S. or emigrated there and are familiar with the language and customs in America because of their background, i.e. The Lackawanna Six.

At the same time, governments cannot rule out individuals from “friendly” countries that may have groups or individuals residing there who are sympathetic to the al-Qaeda cause and are waiting to be called upon for jihad. For example, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, better known as the “underwear bomber,” came through Denmark, was not a citizen of that country, but was able to get on the Northwest Airlines flight 253 in Amsterdam.

The possibility exists, however, (even though his father tried to warn people about his son) that he didn’t raise any red flags because he flew in from Denmark, a country that is not on the terror watch list.

It is not beyond the realm of possibility that collaboration and support could come from an unlikely source, i.e. disenfranchised American groups who disdain the U.S. government and its policies.

Many are well armed and well trained—and look like “ordinary citizens”—another Timothy McVeigh, perhaps?

There are historical references that demonstrate collaboration has taken place between two unlikely terror groups. For example, in August 2001, three members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) were arrested in Columbia for training the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) in the use of sophisticated car bombs and long-range mortar attacks in exchange for narcotics that easily are changed into cash. Afterwards, Columbia experienced a series of car bombings (as well as other countries) that mimicked those of the IRA since that “visit.”

According to the Center for Defense Information, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Gary D. Speer, then-commander-in-chief of the U.S. Southern Command stated in 2002, “Links exist between Latin America and transnational terrorists including the IRA.”

Could the same happen in the U.S.? Is it possible that one group(s) would transcend the line of demarcation and conspire with the likes of al-Qaeda? If so, who would be willing to attach their name to al-Qaeda and their brand of violence?