Industry of Jihad

When the Muslims fought for their causes in Chechnya, Afghanistan, and other hot beds, they used weapons from Russia, Israel, and the U.S. Their money circulated the globe procuring Soviet ammunition, and feeding European economies. Today the story is still very much the same. The cause of Jihad takes on an industry unto itself, and money changes hands, currencies, and national boundaries.

The turn of the century found the Muslim world at a time when there was little significant struggle outside of isolated internal warfare. The Islamic war machine had slowed, many well trained and battle proven soldiers found themselves without a cause. That is, until a cause was created. The September 11th attacks gave the militant arm of extreme Islam a new cause, and a new enemy.

A new international front gave new lifeblood to the decades old Islamic Jihad mercenary armies. With the lessons of previous conflicts now embedded in a worldwide network of Muslim extremists, that industry could begin to sustain itself again. Western corporations found life in this conflict as well. New forms of mercenaries and profit were to be found in business like Black Water and Executive Outcomes. These professional military outlets would serve those who have a zeal for war. And just as the Muslims train their soldiers to excel in particular combat, we also train ours. No doubt it is these companies which will hold the expertise in future conflicts.

A corporation with no market will soon die, perhaps one solution is to create your markets. As Black Water says, innovation begins with experience, and this may double for jihad.