Answering the call to jihad, 21st century style. The word went out through the mosques and via internet messaging boards, calling on the Muslim faithful to leave their homes and families and join their Iraqi brethren to fight the invaders.
Hundreds, perhaps even thousands of Arab volunteers from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iran hopped on buses and headed for Bagdad. According to American marines, some of the fiercest fighting they encountered in Iraq came from those volunteers. But now most of them are heading back home. Earlier today there were clashes in the airport in Yemen when 45 volunteers got back from Iraq. Friends and family members came to welcome them, but so did Yemeni intelligence officials, who promptly arrested them. Jihad warriors, who they are.
Guests:
Steven Simon, Senior Analyst, RAND institution
Mouin Rabbani, Senior Middle East Analyst, International Crisis Group.