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1)
a) The global issue raised in this article is about the small terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb rapidly growing trying to become a dominant terrorist group. AQUIM serves as a younger sibling to Al Qaeda, and is often forgot about when talking about who the powerhouse terrorist groups. Zhao says that the U.S. has spent over a million dollars fighting against Al Qaeda in the Middle East, but hasn’t even paid attention to what AQUIM is up to. AQUIM is a Mali-based organization that was formed in the early 1990’s and eventually allied with Al Qaeda in 2003 to enhance their organization to become stronger. This organization has bases along the Mediterranean coast, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania. The organization has shifted away from Algeria to the Saharan and Sahel because Algeria’s military is increasingly stronger. AQUIM have been involved in large scale bombings of Algerian cities, and have put their mark on this territory. This geographical shift may let AQUIM become a legitimate threat in the African region. Experts say that AQUIM has the potential to position itself as a launching pad for international terrorist operations, but Zhao thinks otherwise. Zhao believes that AQUIM will not outgrow its isolated attacks in the region because of “internal fragmentation” within the organization.
b) Jeffrey Zhao uses empirical evidence to support his arguments on the upcoming dangerous terrorist group. He explains the different activities AQUIM have been doing to show that they are becoming a serious threat to Africa. He explains how the group has been gaining financial payments just from ransoms, trafficking arms, vehicles, cigarettes and drug trade. AQUIM earns most of their funds from the ransoms. An estimated 65 millio...

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...ave no structure within the organization, and so far has not made any terroristic threat to either country, Zhao believes that this terrorist group lacks international expansion and will only use Al Qaeda brand as a symbol rather than a tool to use.
4) This issue has triggered the United States, especially since AQUIM has ties with Al Qaeda. Experts say the best strategy to deal with this group is to work with other countries in the region to counter the violent extremism. Algeria has allowed support from the United States and France. AQUIM has extended their organization by attempting to take over more territory in Mali, but with the French military being deployed, Zhao believes that no serious threat will be occurring. If something happens where AQUIM does make a serious threat, getting more countries involved to halt their attacks will help out tremendously.

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