There are eerie, if crude, parallels now

It means that there are rules he must follow if he wants to enter the camps.

Here are some examples:

He can only enter the camps between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
He can enter a camp a maximum of two times a month.
He can not enter some of the camps unless he accompanied by an officer.
etc...

Hi AlpheccaStars,

Thank you for your help. My understanding of this structure is short.

1. I was confused with "if" phrase in this text. Is it "if only" or "if" in the text?

2. Also "There are eerie, if crude, parallels now", could you tell me what it means?

Thank you.

Tinanam

only goes with the following adjective, not with if. It's not (if only) X; it's if (only X). if has the force of although.

Shahzad apparently passed the test to allow him some, if only limited, entry into one or more of the many and scattered training camps.
... some entry, although it was [only/just/merely] limited entry, ...

Hi CalifJim,

Thank you so much. Would you check this last one for me?

but various wannabe and splinter terror groups seem to be able to attract recruits with American passports and the will to kill civilians, if not quite the know-how.

Does it read like this:

.....seem to be able attract recruits...civilians, although they don't quite have th

tinanam0102Does it read like this:
..seem to be able attract recruits...civilians, although they don't quite have the know-how.

Precisely. They have the passports and the will to kill, but/although they don't quite have the know-how.

I think you understand this pattern now!

Hi CalifJim,

I'm so happy. I've struggled for a whole year. I can't believe I finally understand this pattern.

Thank you so much.

Tinanam

Thanks so much, CJ for a great answer! I was away for most of the day...

Cheers,
A-s

Hi AlpheccaStars,

Thank you for revisitng this question.

Tinanam