The Civilizational Roots of the TSA and DHS: Confronting the Legacy of Global Jihad

Clifford D. May explains why the TSA and DHS are essential defenses against a 40-year "civilizational war" led by Iran and al-Qaeda that impacts even gas prices.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 11:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FDD

The Historical Necessity of Modern Security Bureaucracies

The existence of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is often viewed by younger generations as a static, if inconvenient, fact of life. However, these institutions were forged in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks—the deadliest act of terrorism on American soil. Executed by al-Qaeda, these attacks demonstrated a profound vulnerability in the American homeland. The TSA and DHS were "conjured into existence" to defend against a theological movement that views the United States as a paramount enemy of God, necessitating a permanent state of counterterrorism that has cost trillions of dollars and fundamentally altered the experience of travel.

The Intersection of Jihadism and Global Energy Markets

The impact of Islamist violence extends far beyond airport checkpoints, deeply warping global energy security. The Persian Gulf and the Red Sea have become zones of high-risk instability due to the actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies, such as the Houthis in Yemen. By targeting shipping lanes and energy infrastructure, these groups have built an "insurance risk premium" into global oil prices. According to Clifford D. May, when Americans express frustration at the cost of gasoline, they are often reacting to a market where energy has been weaponized as an "arrow in the quiver" of Tehran’s rulers, rather than a simple matter of supply and demand.

The Convergence of Shia and Sunni Extremism

While the Islamic Republic of Iran is a Shia-led theocracy, its 1979 founding served as a catalyst for Sunni movements like the Muslim Brotherhood, from which al-Qaeda eventually grew. Despite their denominational differences, these groups share an overarching goal of establishing global Islamic supremacy. This ideological crossover is evidenced by Iran providing sanctuary to al-Qaeda leaders after 9/11. Reports indicate that Saif al-Adel, the current head of al-Qaeda, has lived in Tehran under the protection of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This cooperation suggests a unified front against Western interests that transcends traditional sectarian divides.