I am writing my Senior Honors Thesis for my International Studies degree at UC San Diego, and I need help from anyone who might possess knowledge concerning where the insurgent forces, in both Iraq and Afghanistan, are learning from? What are their sources in terms of developing tactics, techniques, and technologies that they in turn employ against US forces?

Specifically, is there any link between European terrorism and that of contemporary Islamist origins? Whether that entails Gallic rebellions against the Romans, French revolutionaries in 1789, and the rampant terrorism that plagued Europe in the 1970's-1990's (ETA, Red Brigade, IRA, Baader-Meinhof)?

Any academic sources, personal experiences, or even anecdotal evidence would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.