1. Iran and Al-Qaeda in Iraq: What's the Connection?
- Author:
- Marisa Cochrane Sullivan
- Publication Date:
- 03-2008
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Institute for the Study of War
- Abstract:
- It is widely speculated in the media that the relationship between the Shi'a government of Iran and the Sunni insurgent group, al-Qaeda in Iraq, is a hostile one, primarily because of the sectarian differences between the two. However, there is clear evidence of Iranian support for another Sunni group, the Taliban in Afghanistan. Therefore, it is worth investigating the potential links between al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Iranian regime, particularly the Iranian Revolutionary Guard-Quds Force (IRGCQF). The dossier below contains articles, press releases, and Defense Department briefings from the last year that consider the nature of this relationship. While it may not present a definitive explanation of the connection between these groups, it does suggest possible links exist between the groups and the sectarian grounds for dismissing the relationship are likely too simplistic. The most relevant passages have been highlighted in yellow.
- Topic:
- Islam, Terrorism, and Armed Struggle
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Middle East, and Taliban