Two Iraqi cities were rocked by separate bomb attacks today, with one blast targeting a Shi'a mosque and a nearby market in the city of Diwaniya and the other aimed at Shi'a pilgrims in the town of Karbala. About 40 people were said to have been killed. The bombings come on the heels of one of the bloodiest months the country has seen since American troops withdrew last year. A string of bombings have ripped through mostly Shi'a targets in Iraq over the last month, leaving 237 dead and injuring more than 600. 

The Henry Jackson Society released a briefing today, "From Rhetoric to Target: The Islamic State of Iraq", analysing the recent spate of bombings by the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI, and formerly known as Al Qaeda in Iraq). The report, written by HJS Research Fellow Robin Simcox, examines group's rhetoric; operational strategy; sectarian agenda; leadership; and explores what possibility there is of their mounting attacks outside of Iraq. 

Simcox said today: 

"We cannot become complacent about the threat that jihadist groups continues to pose. The Islamic State of Iraq remains an extremely dangerous organisation with the capability of carrying out high impact terrorist operations. It is largely focused on stoking sectarian warfare - often targeting Shia neighbourhoods. However, they also attack state institutions, and remain an organisation willing to kill indiscriminately. While they have not attempted to launch any attacks in the West, any al-Qaeda group with the degree of terrorist effectiveness that the ISI has should be of great concern."