The powerful role of Islamic insurgency in Syria's civil war became clear to the world this past week, when Jabhat al-Nusra, a leading Syrian rebel group previously blacklisted by the White House, formally announced its ties to the terrorist group al-Qaida. What could have been done differently to prevent a once-sectarian conflict from becoming a religious one, and how should world leaders respond to this development?
Marshall Bornemann
U.S. might seek alliance with al-Nusra to achieve goals
Ethan McLeod
Many will pay for countries not stepping into Syria months ago
U.S. might seek alliance with al-Nusra to achieve goals
By Marshall Bornemann
Historically, terrorist groups have acted like children: they join the bigger guy, the mainstream group, hoping that their joining will leave them better off in terms of funding and weaponry.
The Nusra Front is the most recent example of a group that, while not an official enemy of the United States, joined al-Qaida, a network spanning throughout the majority of the Middle East, as well as the rest of the globe. Al-Qaida took responsibility for the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Presumably, The Nusra Front desires to inflict the same amount of harm on us as do other terrorist organizations.
With the growing role of The Nusra Front taking hold in Syria, it should come as no surprise that it recently announced it ties to al-Qaida. This is perfect timing for the insurgency to add rank-and-file members to its numbers.
But it could not come at a worse time, when the United States is trying to develop contingency plans to alleviate the fighting within that region.
Citizens caught in the crossfire undoubtedly fear the presence of these groups. They witness the day-to-day fighting between Syria
