The terrorist threat that poses to US interests in the Horn of Africa (HOA) is posed by one terrorist organization in particular, al -Shabaab. Areas of concern with key strategic interests for the United States include armed conflict, violent extremism, global trade, and maritime security where al-Shabaab has an influential capacity to disrupt, impacting political stability, economic and social throughout the region. As countries within the HOA continue to gain strategic importance to U.S. interests and policymakers, al-Shabaab and the various entities with which they collaborate influence the stability of the region and remain a prevalent threat. Al-Shabaab initially began operations within Somali borders in resistance to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Ethiopia, and later dictated their role in opposing Western influence in the region. The organization's ultimate driving force is the creation of an Islamic state in Somalia. The group's affiliation with Al Qaida was established in 2007, although many organizational experts believe the relationship is volatile and tenuous at best, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2008, the United States government officially recognized al-Shabaab as a foreign terrorist organization; at the same time the groups reached their peak in strength, influence and power in the country of Somalia. The organization has demonstrated its ability to control southern Somalia and areas of Mogadishu, while simultaneously carrying out operations throughout the Horn of Africa. While the United States continues to focus on the threat of armed conflict and maritime threats in the region, al-Shabaab continues to pose a threat through the arms trade. According to UN Secur...... half of the document ......malia/al-shabaab/p18650Menkhaus, K. (2011, November 5). A thousand fatwas for Somalia's al-Shabaab - The Globe and Mail. The globe and the mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.comnews/opinions/opinion/a-thousand-fatwas-for-somalias-al-shabaab/article2226272/OP-ED: Al-Shabaab, Pirates and the West. (2011, April 9). Report on Somalia. Retrieved from http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/485Security Council Committee on Somalia and Eritrea adds individual to list of individuals and entities. (2012, February 17). United Nations: Security Council SC/10545. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sc10545.doc.htmTownsend, M., & McVeigh, T. (2012, February 25). Somalia promises oil riches to the West as diplomats vow to defeat al-Shabaab. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/25/somalia-alshabaab-oil-west