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Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19094012/
"Al-Qaeda Franchises" Spreading
[MSNBC] Richard Engel - One Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon is today a smoldering, sniper-infested, booby-trapped battlefield where a few hundred al-Qaeda-inspired fighters have been making a last stand against the Lebanese army. Another refugee camp in the south seems to be heading in the same direction, and there are many more, al-Qaeda-inspired time bombs like these slowly ticking away in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East. The term "al-Qaeda franchises" implies the loose affiliation among the groups and the business of the modern jihad industry. Like a franchise, these al-Qaeda cells are locally owned and operated. They are fully responsible for picking targets, training, smuggling and all of the day-to-day business of jihad. The franchise home office only provides the overall flavor, guidance and a few secret ingredients. The groups benefit from the al-Qaeda brand and experience. Al-Qaeda central benefits from the distribution.