The 1996 bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, with 19 US serviceman killed, is often cited as an example of how those inspired by foreign fighters have carried out terror attacks in their own countries.
Analysts say Syria is providing the opportunity now for mostly Sunni Muslims to go abroad and fight. Stephen Tankel is a counterterrorism expert at American University in Washington.
"This is one of the reasons, quite frankly, that the U.S. is reluctant to become involved in Syria along with a host of others, is that you’ve already got an open front, but the U.S. presence could draw even more groups to that front," said Tankel.
There is also the issue of who to arm among the anti-Assad forces. Stephen Tankel says the options are limited.
"The Obama administration is seeking ways to support the rebels who are not al-Qaida. And that is a process that has been ongoing, looking at how they can get weapons into the hands of those whom they want to support and keep them out of the hands of those they don’t. Of course, there’s only so many steps you can take, and once those weapons get onto the battlefield, it becomes much more difficult to control them," he said.
While the international community is focused on finding a political solution to the war in Syria, experts in Washington believe officials should be working on plans to deal with the armed groups once the conflict is over.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25