CSM: Iraq, Internet fuel growth of global jihad

[unhappycamper]

Iraq, Internet fuel growth of global jihad
By Dan Murphy | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
from the July 12, 2005 edition

CAIRO – Investigators still don't know who carried out last Thursday's attacks in London. But they say those responsible were probably Islamist terrorists who viewed their assault as revenge for Britain's part in the Iraq war.

The attacks that killed at least 52 in London follow two years in which the Iraq war has inflamed Islamist hatred of the US and key allies like Britain.

According to US assessments, the turmoil in Iraq has replaced the still-simmering conflict in Afghanistan as the chief recruiter of international jihadis. Analysts say anger over the conflict is helping to spread the ideology of global jihad to young Muslims in Europe.

But it is the confluence of America's decision to invade Iraq and new communication technologies that has created the most powerful machine for recruiting new terrorists in history, says Evan Kohlmann, an American terrorism consultant who has tracked jihadi websites since the late 1990s.

MORE
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0712/p01s03-woeu.html

[bemildred]

1. More ignorant internet bashing.

It is true that the network is doing much to break the elites'
traditional monopolies on information and efficient communication,
but that is a good thing, and useful to all, not merely jihadis.

This fellow is just selling fear and tootling his own expertise:
"says Evan Kohlmann, an American terrorism consultant who has tracked jihadi websites since the late 1990".