An article by Nathan Field in The National discusses the rivalry for the “Arab street” between al-Qaida and Hizbollah, and how that might be driving al-Qaida full circle, from the “far enemy” alternative (targeting the U.S. before local governments) that marked its initial divergence from historic jihadism, back to local “national resistance” struggles. Definitely worth a read. Keep an eye out, also, for an upcoming WPR feature from Nathan on how, by misreading the historical roots of al-Qaida, we’ve misread the strategic threat they pose.
