A Who's Who of the Good Guys and Bad Guys in the New Jihad
August 26, 2014
Wars are never simple. With the incredible success of the terrorist group
ISIS, now called the Islamic State, and the recent news that Egypt and UAE have
engaged in air strikes against the jihadists in Syria, Breitbart News has
decided to cut away some of the fog of war and explain who stands where in this
latest Holy War for the future of the Middle East and North Africa.
Algeria: Home to Africa’s third-biggest oil reserves and
10th in the world in natural gas reserves. Dealing with widespread poverty and
Islamist radicals infiltrating the government. 99% Sunni Muslim.
Al Qaeda: Salafist Sunni terror group now run by the
Egyptian Ayman al Zawahiri, with various offshoots spread all over the region.
The Islamic State – formerly ISIS – is a break-off of Al Qaeda in Iraq.
Bahrain: Tiny country primarily populated by Shiite Muslims
but ruled by Sunnis, which has often led to political unrest and anti-regime
protests.
Egypt: Run by the government of President Abdel Fattah el
Sisi, the former Commander of the Armed Forces. The government has declared the
Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization and is fighting jihadi elements in
major cities, especially the Sinai.
Hamas: Palestinian terror organization at war with Israel.
The Palestinian arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, its charter commits its members
to "dying in the way of Jihad."
Hezbollah: Iran-backed Lebanon-based terrorist group.
Engaged in "holy war" with Sunni terrorist group The Islamic State in
Syria, and according to latest reports, now in Iraq also. Led by Hassan
Nasrallah.
Iran: Leader of the Shiite Islamic world. Ruled by
theocratic dictator Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Known financier of Hezbollah and
Hamas terror groups and ally of Syria’s Assad. Committed to exporting its
theocratic revolution.
Iraq: At war with the Islamic State (IS). The new
government has lost control of several major cities to IS. Weakened by
crumbling defense forces and lack of US forces in the country.
The Islamic State: Formerly known as Al Qaeda in Iraq, and
the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham. Lead by the newly announced “caliph” Abu
Bakr al-Baghdadi. Controls a large swath of territory that spans much of Iraq
and Syria. In terms of numbers of fighters, weapons, and available funds, far
outstrips the capabilities of Al Qaeda (even at its most powerful on 9/11).
Israel: Only liberal democracy in the Middle East. At war
with Iran-sponsored Hamas, an arm of the Muslim Brotherhood. De facto alliance
with Egypt. Closest formal ally to the US in the region
Jordan: Monarchy ruled by King Abdullah II, part of the
Hashemite dynasty said to be descended from Mohammad. A moderate Islamic
country compared to its Arab neighbors and a close ally of the United States.
Threatened as a potential prime target for the Islamic State for both of these
reasons. Inherently unstable due to a very large Palestinian population and
enormous influx of refugees from Syria and Iraq. Has a small but very capable
military and intelligence service.
Kuwait: Home to US military bases. Top officials recently
suspected of financing terror. Ruling party dealing with allegations of massive
corruption. Emir controls all political power. Recent reports say that Kuwait
may be turning against the jihadi movement.
Lebanon: Although its governmental system is technically
equally divided between Shiite, Sunni, and Maronite Christians, in reality,
both domestic and foreign policy is dominated by the Shiite terror group and
Iran-proxy Hezbollah.
Libya: Ruling party at war with anti-Islamist general
Haftar. Country in a state of lawlessness. The Al Nusra Front, an Al
Qaeda-offshoot that was responsible for 9/11/2012 attack on US consulate, is
still at large.
Pakistan: Home to the Haqqani network and the country where
Osama bin Laden was hiding. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is
known to have been infiltrated by and supportive of radical fundamentalist
interests. Fundamentally dysfunctional, Pakistan has never come to terms with
its Islamic identity or its paranoia for India.
Qatar: Oil-rich gulf state that controls the Al Jazeera
Media Network, which is known as an informal propaganda arm of the Muslim
Brotherhood. Qatari officials have been accused by international leaders of
financing terrorism, particularly The Islamic State terror group. Along with
Turkey suspected of being the largest supporter of jihadists in Syria and Iraq.
Syria: In the midst of a civil war between President Bashar
al-Assad’s Syrian Army and Islamist factions of varying radicalism. Current
death toll estimates around 200,000. A client state of Iran.
Turkey: Previously a stable, secular Muslim state whose
democracy was vouched safe by the military. Now ruled by Muslim
Brotherhood-friendly leadership. Strongly aligned with Hamas despite being a
member of NATO. Along with Qatar suspected of being supporter of jihadists in
Syria and Iraq.
Tunisia: Recognized as the catalyst of the “Arab Spring”
revolts that changed the map of the Middle East. Recently removed from power
Muslim-Brotherhood government.
Saudi Arabia: Ruled as a theocratic absolute monarchy. Preaches
Wahhabism, a salafist fundamentalist branch of Islam. Known for Mecca and
Medina, the two holiest Islamic sites. Top officials have been accused of
aiding and abetting of Al Qaeda and its offshoots. Recently reassessing the
threat of extremists to its own system, it has moved closer to Israel.
United Arab Emirates: Carried out airstrikes on Libya last
week against Islamist militants. Federation of seven emirates, each governed by
an emir who come together to form the Federal Supreme Council, which makes
executive decisions on behalf of the UAE. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are two emirates
known for being commercial hubs. Interested in defeating the jihadi threat.
Yemen: Home to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, arguably
the fiercest branch of AQ. Large US drone presence to combat radical entities.
Fragile government threatened by jihadists as well as tribal Houthi insurgents.
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