Politics & Current Affairs — October 20, 2009

US and Euro Talibs

Terrorist groups the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are reportedly expanding their recruiting bases to Europe and the US.

“In a disturbing development, Taliban and Al-Qaeda have expanded their recruiting base from South and Central Asia to European countries and even to the US. According to reports, many recruits have been travelling to Pakistan and Afghanistan for training in their terror factories,” writes The Economic Times. “German officials had last week disclosed that a 10-member cell from Hamburg had left for Pakistan earlier this year. The cell is allegedly led by a German of Syrian descent, but also includes ethnic Turks, German converts to Islam and one member with Afghan roots. Other European countries are also struggling to keep their citizens from going to Pakistan for paramilitary training, the newspaper said, adding in August Pakistani officials had arrested 12 foreigners headed to North Waziristan, including four Swedes,” it says.

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