Publication

This briefing examines radical Islam in northwest Iraq near to Iran's border. Particularly, it presents the case of Ansar al-Islam (Partisans of Islam) which is engaged in a military conflict with irregular forces of the regional government and has carried out attacks against secular Kurdish targets. It further analyzes the origins and international links of the movements. Finally, it emphasizes that the group has become a focal point for the US as it makes the case for a war on the Iraqi regime.