|
(From US News and World Report)
International Radical Islamist Hot Spots
From
10-member fringe groups to thousands-strong movements, radical Islamists
seek to replace their moderate government with fundamentalist regimes. The
Islamist groups in these countries all represent possible Enemies of Freedom
and enemies of the United States.
1.
GERMANY / FRANCE / BRITAIN
Pockets of
radical Islamists, some of whom support bin Laden, can be found in all three
nations.
2.
BALKANS / CHECHNYA
Bosnian and
Chechen rebels reportedly trained in Afghanistan. Bin Laden allegedly uses
the Balkan region as a transit point.
3. ALGERIA
The key al
Qaeda affiliate Armed Islamic Group is a product of the radical Islamic
opposition fighting a civil war here.
4. NIGERIA
Thousands have
died in fierce battles between Christians and Muslims in northern states
that have imposed a strict form of Islamic law.
5. EGYPT
Government
faces radical presence (Islamic Jihad and Gamaa Islamiya) with bin Laden
connections. Officials have been assassinated, including former President
Anwar Sadat.
6. SUDAN
Fundamentalist Islamic Liberation Front has hosted
members of foreign radical groups. Bin Laden may have business interests,
where an 18-year Muslim-Christian civil war rages.
7. JORDAN
The government steers militant Islamists toward
legitimate political participation. Jordan foiled the bin Laden-linked
“millennium plot” to bomb tourist sites.
8. SAUDI ARABIA
Home of the two holiest sites in Islam (Mecca and Medina) and the
austere Wahhabi Islam. Saudi-born bin Laden still receives money from some
Saudis. The presence of U.S. troops is rallying extremists here.
9. IRAN
Iran's hard-line Muslim religious leadership faces
domestic pressure from moderates. Elements of the government support
anti-Israel terrorists like Hezbollah and groups that have attacked
Americans.
10. AFGHANISTAN
The
anti-Western Taliban regime, in power since 1996, harbors mastermind
terrorist Osama bin Laden and his well-funded al Qaeda network, which
recruits and trains extremists from other countries.
11.
TAJIKISTAN / UZBEKISTAN / KIRGIZSTAN
The bin
Laden-linked Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan is a primary cause of unrest in
Central Asia.
12. PAKISTAN
The only
government that recognizes the Taliban’s legitimacy, but it has allowed U.S.
troops to set up camp. Internal strife persists among militant Islamic
groups.
13. INDIA
Though a
predominantly Hindu nation, it faces separatist Islamist forces in Kashmir.
The Indian government supports U.S. efforts to crack down on the Taliban.
14. BANGLADESH
The country’s
Jihad movement is tied to bin Laden and reportedly sent its own operatives
to participate in al Qaeda's reputed chemical-warfare training.
15. MALAYSIA
Home to a
moderate style of Islam, the country now faces extremist threats, like the
antigovernment Malaysian Mujahideen Group, which has overseas links.
16. INDONESIA
World's
largest Islamic population at more than 201 million. Government faces
threats from radical Islamic groups including Laskar Jihad.
17. PHILIPPINES
Islamist
separatist groups (notably the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the small
but violent Abu Sayya) receive arms and warfare training from
Afghanistan-based groups |
