Cover Story Overview
Jihad After Iraq: Lessons From the Arab Afghans Phenomenon
Nearly two decades ago, Arabs who volunteered to aid the anti-Soviet struggle in Afghanistan dispersed from the conflict zone to pursue their newfound passion: jihad in the path of God. Known as “Arab Afghans,” these veterans participated in national insurgencies and civil wars, facilitated international terrorism and became ideologues of global jihad. Today, Iraq’s global jihadists are facing a similar moment. Therefore, it is vitally important to revisit the experiences of the Arab Afghans to develop lessons for present day Iraq.
