On April 19^th, the Human Rights Watch released a report entitled "Harsh War, Harsh Peace" on the civil and human rights abuses of Al Shabaab in Somalia. The report uncovers the behavior of Al Shabaab radicals in both war-stricken Mogadishu and the more peaceful southern areas of Somalia, detailing a pattern of assaults, targeted killings, suicide bombings, and horrifically harsh interpretation of sharia law that justify stoning, beheadings, and amputations. CNN reported Tuesday that "Tales of dismemberment, bodies being chopped up and sent back to families, routine executions, even people being skinned alive emanate from neighborhoods closed off to the international community or any form of governance."

Since Al Shabaab officially joined Al Qaeda in February this year, the number of foreign militants in Somalia has been growing. The militant Islamic group has gained traction in war-torn Somalia and is now the largest faction in the country, drawing recruits from the U.S., Australia, and Europe. 26-year-old Shirwa Ahmed became America's first suicide bomber after the Minneapolis native traveled to the Middle East and was sheltered in several Al Shabaab safe houses, and last fall eight Somali-American men were arrested and charged with attending Al Shabaab training camps. "[Somalia is] a place to hide and a place to fight, not only with the West but with anybody who disagrees with them," said Somalia's president, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. "They go from place to place but their objectives don't change, they fight people of all persuasions."

Al Shabaab, translated as "The Youth" in Arabic, lived up to its name a few weeks ago when it released a recruitment video aimed at young children. The video shows toddler children of suicide bombers while a voice praising recent attacks is heard in the background. Another scene reveals a party where children ages 3-7 are quizzed on Islam and Al Qaeda leaders. The little ones who answered the questions successfully were given plastic weapons.

While Al Shabaab attacks have so far taken place only in Somalia, the growing number of international recruits has raised questions about expansion. Young men are recruited via internet and indoctrination then brought to the Middle East for training. The question now is how much longer will it be until the trainees are then released to attack their native countries, the U.S., Canada, and Australia as the failed state of Somalia continues to be a safe haven for Al Qaeda and other Islamic radicals?

Sen. Santorum recently discussed the ongoing challenge of Islamic extremism to our national security at The Citadel.