This report provides further evidence in support of the growing recognition that Europe is emerging as a central recruiting ground, logistical area of operations, and leading edge in the global Islamist militant movement. Tragically and soberingly punctuated by the bombings and attempted bombings of the subway systems in Madrid and London (Terrorist Incident and Terrorist Incident) and the uncovering of a number of terrorist logistical bases and operations in Europe, Islamist militancy seems to have trained its sights on, and become embedded within, the European theater.

Drawing recruits from, and establishing militant cells from within, Europe?s Muslim immigrant communities, Islamist militant and terrorist groups, such as al-Qaeda and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi?s global network, seem to be invigorating the veins of their global terrorist networks within Europe. These networks seemingly exploit the advantageous operational juxtaposition of the militant Islamist ?targets? of European societies and governments with minority sections of Muslim and immigrant communities ensconced therein that harbor grievances against and/or alienation from their host country or region. These grievances?such as political or social exclusion or oppression or a protest or vendetta against the country?s international policies and actions?make them particularly susceptible to the resonance of Islamist militant ideology and militancy, which is perceived as a redemptive, empowering, and activist course of redressing these grievances via militancy. The particular factors, mindsets, and psychological dynamics that seemed to be at play in motivating the bombers of London would seem to exemplify those driving the emergence of Islamist cells and operations within Europe (for a full discussion of these mindset elements, please see WAR Report).