The study of terrorism has not been without its faulty conclusions and theories concerning the mechanics of terrorist operations. At one time, an over-paid psychologist put forth the theory on why terrorists took over airplanes. The psychologist theorized, after interviewing a number of these individuals, that they were all late walkers as children and held a deep psychological hatred for gravity. This hatred manifested itself in the form of terrorism targeting airplanes. The psychologist went on to theorize that people in the Middle East had inner ear development deficiencies which could be cured if the West were to start a program of zinc treatments. Thus terrorism could be ended with a vitamin!

Another current theory prevailing in the world of counter-terrorism is that ideologically opposed groups will not work together. This is almost a daily mantra proclaimed by those fighting on the front in Iraq. Sunni and Shia insurgent/terrorist groups will never work together. Has anyone paid attention to the fact that the Iranians (Shias) have had senior al-Qa'ida (Sunni) leadership under "house arrest" for years since 9/11? This house arrest is merely a way for the Iranians to monitor and have an open line of communication with the Sunni extremists. This relationship goes back to the 1990s when Iran hosted a "terrorist summit" between Shia and Sunni organizations. The goal was to stop the in-fighting and share intelligence and training while targeting the West. Usama bin Laden's third eldest son, Sa'ad, bridged communications between the Iranians Qods Force and Zawahiri after the 2008 US embassy attack in Yemen. When these groups run low on resources, money and people, they will work with anybody. It becomes survival at any cost and the enemy of my enemy is my friend becomes that much truer. Cooperation between threat elements must be taken seriously or we may miss the indicators of a larger, newer threat emerging.

We now find that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia - FARC) and the Basque Homeland and Freedom group (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna - ETA) have been working together for years together. The Irish Republican Army has helped the ETA train the FARC on guerrilla tactics and explosives training. Documents found in France in 2008 demonstrate a(n) ETA-FARC relationship dating back to 2003. Ex-FARC members recount training by the ETA in Venezuela. This relationship also crossed into the criminal world with both groups supporting drug trafficking. Last year saw the revelation of connections between Hugo Chavez and the FARC with money being funneled to the organizations. 

Another development in the world of inter-connected terrorism is the apparent relationship between Chavez and Iran. There has been for some time, a 'Hezbollah in Latin America' which wants to bring Khomeini style Islam to the western world. This is a development that must be watched carefully as Iran tries to spread its influence into the region. Hezbollah and Iran have already been charged with the bombing attack of a Jewish center in Argentina that killed 85 people.