World’s oldest and largest Muslim political/terrorist group Founded in Egypt in 1928 Stated goal is to implement the Qur’an into all aspects of life

including the government. Non-Secular government Oppose women “coming out from behind the veil” and are very

anti-western Evidence tells us that this group had been very violent up until the

1970s Ties to multiple assassination attempts including presidents of

moderate nations Banned in Egypt Supported suicide bombers in Israel. They have turned moderate since the 1970s and publicly denounce

violence and advocate political tactics to implement policies. Variations of the Muslim Brotherhood are found in over 70 nations

In the 2005 parliamentary elections, the Brotherhood's candidates, who had to run as independents because of their illegality as a political party, won 88 seats (20% of the total).

Whether or not the Brotherhood would dissolve Egypt's peace treaty with Israel is disputed within the Brotherhood.

Following the 2011 Egyptian revolution the group was legalized. The Brotherhood supported the constitutional referendum in March which was

also supported by the Egyptian army In April 2011 it launched a new party called the Freedom and Justice Party,

which reportedly plans to "contest up to half the seats" in the Egyptian parliamentary election scheduled for November 2011.

MB political platform: Called for a board of Muslim clerics to oversee the government,

Limiting the office of the presidency to Muslim men. While underlining `equality between men and women in terms of their human

dignity,` the document warned against `burdening women with duties against their nature or role in the family

MB won over half the Parliamentary seats Mohamed Morsi- elected president of Egypt

 Morsi was overthrown after mass protests within a year[

A crackdown ensued, Hundreds of members were killed, and hundreds -- including Morsi and most of the Brotherhood's leadership -- were imprisoned.

Among the general Egyptian population, a huge hostility was felt towards the MB.

In September 2013, Egyptian court banned the Brotherhood and its associations, and ordered that its assets be seized

Small militant Palestinian group set out to destroy Israel and establish Palestinian state. This is primary priority as opposed to MB goal of attacking moderate Muslim states

Formed as a reaction to the moderate movement of the MB. MB members broke away and formed PIJ

1st based in Egypt then expelled. Next based in Gaza then expelled again Next based in Lebanon then expelled Currently based in Syria Heavy use of suicide bombings especially during the 2000 Intifada Frequently use teenagers and children in their terrorist attacks Financed by Iran and Syria Membership estimated around 1,000

PIJ refuses to participate in the Palestinian Authority’s political process and rejects all negotiations with Israel.

The group’s paramilitary wing— the al-Quds Brigades—has conducted numerous attacks, including large-scale suicide bombings. PIJ’s most recent suicide bombing was in January 2007 in the southern Israeli city of Eilat, killing three people.

Since then the group has conducted numerous rocket attacks against Israeli targets near the Gaza Strip using indigenously produced rockets.

Despite deaths and arrests of leaders in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in 2009, the group remained active—mostly by firing rockets from the Gaza Strip.

Beit Lid (1995) PIJ member strapped with explosive fakes illness. When surrounded he detonates. 23 killed. Many young Israeli soldiers

2002: Northren Israel PIJ member drove a car with 220 lbs of explosives next to a bus and detonated it. 15 dead. Many burned alive including a 2 and a 4 year old

May 2003: Three people killed and eighty-three injured in a suicide bombing at a shopping mall in Afula.

August 2003: A suicide bomber killed twenty-one people and injured over one hundred on a bus in Jerusalem

October 2003: Suicide bomber killed twenty-two and injured sixty at a Haifa restaurant.

Created to resist the 1982 Israel invasion of Lebanon Most in Arab world regard it as simply a resistance movement

that also participates in social activism and politics Considered terrorist group by the West. Financed by Iran and Syria Beyond resisting Israeli incursion into Lebanon it has

broadened its purpose to the destruction of Israel Started as small militia but now a major political force that

gained even more support after 2006 Lebanon War. Used suicide bombings and hi-jackings as a common practice Still maintain radical stance and are well financed Possess long range missiles and a sizable membership

In July 2008 Hezbollah and Israel concluded an agreement securing the exchange of several Lebanese prisoners in return for the remains of Israeli soldiers

In November 2009, Hezbollah and its allies agreed to form a unity government with Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri’s March 14 bloc.

Hezbollah forced the collapse of the unity government by withdrawing its two ministers and nine allied ministers from the cabinet.

In January 2011, Najib Mikati, a Sunni billionaire, was nominated to be prime minister after receiving the backing of Hezbollah and its allies in parliament.

Mikati’s appointment, a sign of Hezbollah’s increasing political strength, triggered protests by supporters of the March 14 bloc, who charged that the new government would be too closely aligned with Iran and Syria

In June 2011, after five months of deliberations, Mikati announced the formation of a new 30-member cabinet, with 18 of the posts filled by Hezbollah allies. No posts were assigned to members of the March 14 bloc.

In May 2013, Nasrallah publicly confirmed Hezbollah’s involvement in Syrian war and vowed to fight until the rebels had been defeated.

March 8 vs March 14

There are currently 21 parties represented in the 128-seat Lebanese parliament and are organized into two main factions.

These are the March 8 and the March 14 alliances, and for almost a year the political fallout from the Syrian war has left the two in deadlock

The broadly pro-Assad March 8 (which includes Hezbollah) and the broadly anti-Assad March 14 have been unable to come to terms over Hezbollah's military activity in Syria

The deadlock was partially removed when a new cabinet was formed under independent Prime Minister Tammam Salam that included ministers from both sides.

Some March 14 parties refused to take part in any cabinet until Hezbollah had withdrawn from Syria.

Current status of Parliament:  March 8 Coalition 54.7%, March 14 Coalition 45.3%;

The 2013 elections have been postponed until November 16 2014 and most likely will be postponed again.

"There is no solution to the conflict in this region except with the disappearance of Israel“

When asked about a two-state settlement between Israel and Palestine, he said he would not sabotage what is a "Palestinian matter", but that until such a settlement is reached, he will continue to encourage Palestinian resistance

"Our problem with [the Israelis] is not that they are Jews, but that they are occupiers who are raping our land and holy places.”

“What do the people who worked in those two WTC towers, along with thousands of employees, women and men, have to do with war that is taking place in the Middle East? ? ... Therefore we condemned this act—and any similar act we condemn”

"it appears that the capabilities, numbers and capacities available to (Islamic State) are vast and large. This is what is worrying everyone, and everyone should be worried.“

"Going to fight in Syria was, in the first degree, to defend Lebanon, the resistance in Lebanon, and all Lebanese,"

Suicide bombing in Beirut. Over 60 dead. Car bomb crashed through gate and into the embassy with

2000 lbs of explosives

Hezbullah operatives smuggled grenades and pistols on an international flight. Held hostages and demanded prisoner release. Two weeks of captivity multiple nations. Some demands are met

Hezbullah rockets fired into Israel and the capture of two Israeli soldiers initiated it

Offshoot of MB. Established in 1987. Founded during 1st Intifada Attacks on Israel and rival Palestinian groups Suicide Bombings and Rockets attacks, but also political participants. Accused of using children as human shields and as combatants Operate in highly populated civilian centers They won the 2006 PNA elections and US halted aid Fatah overthrew Hamas in West Bank but Hamas remained in control of Gaza Hamas authorized rocket attacks into Israel from Gaza caused the Gaza war of

2008 Hamas original rhetoric was destruction of Israel but they have lessened to

request the pre 1967 border (Resolution 242) with the inclusion of East Jerusalem as their capital

Most of Hamas’ current activities go towards welfare programs in the Israeli occupied West Bank and Gaza

After the Gaza War, Hamas continued to govern the Gaza strip and Israel maintained its economic blockade.

On May 4, 2011, Hamas and Fatah announced a reconciliation agreement that provides for "creation of a joint caretaker Palestinian government" prior to national elections scheduled for 2012

Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to limit Palestinian rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip on its cities and to prevent Hamas from obtaining other weapons.

Egypt and Israel lessened the restrictions starting in June 2010. Israel announced that it will allow all strictly civilian goods into Gaza while preventing certain weapons and what it designates as "dual-use" items from entering Gaza.

Egypt partly opened the Rafah border crossing from Egypt to Gaza

continues to severely restrict and/or prevent people from entering or exiting Gaza

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) conducted an assessment of the humanitarian impact of the easing of the blockage in January and February 2011 and concluded that they did not result in a significant improvement in people’s livelihoods.[

Most experts on international law consider the blockade illegal.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hamas-leader-khaled-meshaal-on-israel-hamas-conflict/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGxlRD6kpDo

Bus bombs and suicide attacks are frequent in early 2000s.

Hamas was accused of being the most active in this activity

Established sometime between 1988 and 1989 in Egypt and shifted to Afghanistan

Purpose was to defeat the Soviet invasion

Multinational organization Suicide attacks of many kinds Believes in the complete removal of Western influence and the

establishment of Islamic fundamental states The organization is truly global as boastful offshoots of this group

often declare linkage Very tough to identify at this point who is and who is not truly Al

Qaeda They believe strongly in martyrdom and civilians are often key targets

1993 Truck bomb designed to topple Tower one into Tower two. 6 killed. 600 million in damage

US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya were attacked by Trucks bombs parked outside. They were simultaneously detonated. 223 killed.

USS Cole was docked in Yemen when boat approached and attached explosives to the hull

Explosion killed 19 sailors

Hijacked aircrafts attack WTC and Pentagon. Attack on the Capital is foiled by passengers aboard United 93. appx 3000 dead

Jemaah Islamiyah linked to Al-Qaeda . Suicide Bomb with bomb in backpack exploded a bomb in nightclub followed by a car bomb outside the predominantly western club. Killed appx 200

At least 15 people are killed in car bomb attack on hotel frequented by Israeli tourists in Kenyan port of Mombasa. On the same day, two missiles are fired at but miss an Israeli airliner taking off from the city. Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, mastermind of the 1998 embassy bombings, is sought by Kenyan officials in the attacks.

 An all-terrain vehicle crashed through a barrier outside the Paradise Hotel and blew up, killing 13 and injuring 80.

Suicide bombers in vehicles shoot their way into housing compounds for expatriates in Saudi capital of Riyadh so they can set off bombs. Some 35 people, including nine Americans, are killed. The attacks are a watershed for the Saudi government, which for years had thought al-Qaida would not attack the kingdom. As a result of the attacks, cooperation between the U.S. and Saudi governments grows rapidly.

At least 29 people are killed and scores were injured in near simultaneous explosions at two Istanbul synagogues, the first al-Qaida attack against Muslim Turkey, a NATO member and military ally of Israel. One blast occurs outside the Neve Shalom synagogue in the historic Beyoglu district in the heart of Istanbul. Another goes off close to another synagogue in the nearby neighborhood of Sisli. An small Turkish militant group aligned with Al-Qaida takes responsibility for the attack.

A co-ordinated bombing of trains in Madrid leaves more than 190 people dead and hundreds wounded. The attack, which leads to the unexpected fall of the pro-U.S. government of Anzar, is blamed on Morrocan terrorists with close links to al-Qaida. According to investigators, the attack was carried out not by al-Qaida or even an affiliate, but instead by radical Muslims who identified with al-Qaida and were led by a charismatic figure.

A car bomb and a rocket strike the U.S. embassy in Yemen as staff arrived to work, killing 16 people, including 4 civilians. At least 25 suspected al-Qaeda militants are arrested for the attack.

A Nigerian man on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit attempted to ignite an explosive device hidden in his underwear. The explosive device that failed to detonate was a mixture of powder and liquid that did not alert security personnel in the airport. The alleged bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, told officials later that he was directed by the terrorist group al-Qaeda. The suspect was already on the government's watch list when he attempted the bombing; his father, a respected Nigerian banker, had told the U.S. government that he was worried about his son's increased extremism.

Militants armed with antiaircraft weapons and rocket-propelled grenades fire upon the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other embassy officials. U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton says the U.S. believes that al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a group closely linked to al-Qaeda, orchestrated the attack.

Egyptian physician and current leader of al-Qaeda He was previously the second and last "emir" of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad His wife and three of his six children were killed in an air strike on

Afghanistan by US forces in late 2001, following the September 11 attacks on the USA.

As of May 2, 2011, he became the leader following the death of Osama bin Laden.

This was confirmed by a press release from al-Qaeda's general command on June 16.

Al-Zawahiri is reportedly a qualified surgeon when his organization merged with bin Laden's al-Qaeda, he became bin Laden's personal advisor and physician.

In 1998, al-Zawahiri formally merged the Egyptian Islamic Jihad into al-Qaeda. He has worked in the al-Qaeda organization since its inception and was a senior member.

Bin Laden's chosen biographer has referred to him as the "real brains" of al-Qaeda.

On June 16, 2011, al-Qaeda announced that al-Zawahiri had been selected as bin Laden's successor

He is believed to be hiding in Pakistan

1972 Munich Black September- Palestinian Liberation group 11 Israeli athletes were held hostage and the killed Demanded the release of Palestinians in Israeli custody

Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed in 1988 on its way from London to NY. Bomb killed 270 total people in air and on ground.

Unaffiliated Libyan nationals were the perpetrators

http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/terrorism