According to analysts the North African operative paved the way for directcooperation between AQIM and al Qaeda's senior leadership in the late 2000s after he travelled to Pakistan.
In order to ensure that this program receives the political priority and resources it will need, he and Mr. Bush should direct that henceforth bilateral cooperation on this joint program will be overseen at the ministerial levels in both governments.
By this definition, a nation, like Saddam's Iraq, can provide money, arms, safe haven and cooperation to jihadist terrorist groups and not have "direct, operational ties" to terrorists.
Some fear that denying Colombia substantial direct and indirect U.S. aid through the certification process will jeopardize cooperation Colombia is giving the Unite States in the war on drugs.
Thus, the transport of weapons to Iran with the help of direct "commercial flights" from Venezuela is part of the assistance that Venezuela provides and which is motivated by cooperation between the two countries.