The recent church bombings in Egypt and Nigeria may or may not have been closely coordinated, but either way they do have implications for the region and for the US. Horrific events like these are not merely manifestations of local, sectarian tension, and the precarious political situation, particularly in Egypt, only amplifies the problem. In this article, George Friedman provides a helpful cultural and political backstory and considers strategic implications:
Over the past few days, Christian churches have been attacked in at least two countries — Nigeria and Egypt — while small packages containing improvised explosive devices were placed on the doorsteps of Christian families in Iraq. Attacks against Christians are not uncommon in the Islamic world, driven by local issues and groups, and it is unclear whether these latest attacks were simply coincidental and do not raise the threat to a new level or whether they indicate the existence of a new, coordinated, international initiative. There is a strong case to be made for the idea that there is nothing new in all of this.
Yet I am struck by the close timing of events in three distant and dispersed countries
Read more: Egypt and the Destruction of Churches: Strategic Implications | STRATFOR