Economic Crisis Hits Al Qaeda, Too

Al Qaeda operations are struggling due to a lack of capital brought on in part by the global economic downturn, the New York Post reports. “In Afghanistan, we have a severe supply deficit,” the group said in a plea for donations. “Mujahideen sit and wait and cannot fight for lack of supplies.” The cash crunch is so bad that terror leaders are saying donations are an acceptable alternative to actual fighting.

“Al-Qaeda leaders, unlike their Taliban hosts who are heavily involved in the lucrative drug trade, do not currently have significant financial resources," a UN official said. In addition to economic crisis, restrictions on Arab charities and a drop-off in extortion contribute to the crunch. “It's a real issue,” an expert said. The Qaeda plea concluded by asking supporters to “fear Allah and be ambitious in waging jihad through goods.” (More global economy stories.)