Choking Al Qaeda's Money Supply

Security Brief: The 'Urgent' Choking Of Al Qaeda's Money Supply -- CNN

Editor's note: This is the first of a three-part blog series on terrorist finances. In Part 1 we'll look at al Qaeda’s challenging financial situation. In Part 2 we'll examine at the Taliban’s money trail and in Part 3 we'll look at international co-operation (or sometimes the lack-thereof) in tracking terrorist financing. Bookmark our Security Brief section and check back Thursday for Part 2.

The U.S. Treasury Department may not have drones, but don’t underestimate the power of the pen in the battle with al Qaeda. Persistent pressure on the group’s sources of money over the past few years has left it “in significant financial distress,” says US Assistant Treasury Secretary David Cohen. “And we are urgently working to make it worse.”

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My Comment: For all guerrilla, insurgent, and rebel groups .... money is the mother's milk to keep it going. This is a good review from CNN on the importance of money to groups like Al Qaeda .... and is a must read.