Ma'am, your discussion around the fragmentation of the various
AQ-affiliated terror groups is well founded. But I believe the discussion
of the threat of these groups to Western interests should focus on the
increasing influence that AQ is gaining with these groups. While it is
well documented that AQIM/Boka Haram/AQAP have had fluctuating/wavering
cooperation with AQ proper, there seems to be no argument that AQ desires
to improve its influence on these groups. And the real threats to the West
will be the sleeper cells that AQ has waiting to conduct retaliatory
attacks (Similar to what happened in Nigeria on 19 Jan). So pushing hard
against these fringe groups in Africa will indeed increase the threat to
the West, in my opinion.
North Africa: Threat of AQIM to Europe Has Been Overstated
African Arguments, 22 January 2013
Is Al-Qaeda about to bring terrorism to Europe's backyard in North Africa?
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Ma'am, your discussion around the fragmentation of the various AQ-affiliated terror groups is well founded. But I believe the discussion of the threat of these groups to Western interests should focus on the increasing influence that AQ is gaining with these groups. While it is well documented that AQIM/Boka Haram/AQAP have had fluctuating/wavering cooperation with AQ proper, there seems to be no argument that AQ desires to improve its influence on these groups. And the real threats to the West will be the sleeper cells that AQ has waiting to conduct retaliatory attacks (Similar to what happened in Nigeria on 19 Jan). So pushing hard against these fringe groups in Africa will indeed increase the threat to the West, in my opinion.