“On December 11, 2007, AQIM [al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb] struck the UN headquarters in Algiers, a target clearly selected by the leadership in Pakistan for its symbolic value. To al Qaeda, the United Nations epitomizes Western domination of the Islamic world. A key target, UN facilities have now been attacked in Iraq and Algeria and should be considered at risk around the world. Dominated by four Christian Crusader states (the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Russia) and a communist fifth (China), the UN Security Council symbolizes al Qaeda’s grievances. It imposes sanctions on Muslim states like Iraq and Libya and authorized the creation of Israel.”
– Bruce Riedel, The Search for Al Qaeda, Page 126