Al Qaeda has been reconstituted with Iran’s help – Forward Observer Shop

Al Qaeda has been reconstituted with Iran’s help

The terrorist organization started by Obama bin Laden and responsible for the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history has rebuilt itself with the help of Iran.

Despite the most costly counterterrorism campaign ever launched by the West, Al Qaeda has not only rebuilt itself in preparation for its next phase, but it has flourished under a pact with Tehran.

Recently, President Trump pointed to the relationship to justify de-certifying the so-called Iran ‘nuclear deal’ cut with the Obama administration, despite widespread opposition in Europe. However, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, a U.S. congressman at the time the deal was made, suggested recently that the relationship between the terrorist group and Iran was an “open secret” that the Obama administration chose to downplay or even ignore.

The relationship between the two was confirmed by the CIA recently, which released a trove of documents obtained during the 2011 raid in Pakistan that killed bin Laden. While those documents will take years to comb through, elements of the arrangement have already been confirmed.

In fact, according to one 19-page document, negotiations between al-Qaeda and the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran discussed funding and arming the Sunni terror outfit so it could strike at American targets.


Why it’s on our radar: Information in this article helps satisfy Priority Intelligence Requirement 4: What are the latest indicators of a new war in the Middle East?  Each week in our Strategic Intelligence Summary, we gauge the likelihood and scope of conflict with Russia, China, North Korea, and in the Middle East, and track the latest developments in each region. Subscribe here to receive our premium intelligence products prepared by Intelligence and special operations veterans.

Jon E. Dougherty is a political, foreign policy and national security analyst and reporter with nearly 30 years of experience in both fields. A U.S. Army veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, he holds BA in Political Science from Ashford University and an MA in National Security Studies/Intelligence Analysis from American Military University.

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