The debate between Bruce Hoffman and Marc Sageman over the perceived threat
posed by Al-Qaeda is an intriguing one. Both Hoffman and Sageman are well known terrorist
experts and present an interesting thesis in support of their respective arguments. Hoffman
argues that Al-Qaeda is still active after reconstructing itself in the Tribal Areas in Pakistan,
and therefore, the threat posed by Al-Qaeda cannot be discredited. However, Sageman argues
that the threat posed by Al-Qaeda is no longer critical, and suggests that the threat posed by
terrorists emerging from the concept of leaderless resistance are of greater importance due to
the fact that they are harder to detect since they emerge from pretty much everywhere
(internet, chat rooms, and online forums) and they do not report to anyone. This essay will
argue that Hoffman’s argument is more convincing for several reasons: (1) Al-Qaeda is an
organization that is very versatile, adaptable, and capable of making a spectacular return
with a massive impact if it wants due to its protean nature, thus, it still remains a threat,
and (2) even though terrorists emerging through the concept of leaderless resistance are hard
to detect and infiltrate, they are not capable enough of creating an impact that an organization
like Al-Qaeda is capable of due to the lack of resources, funding, and training and as Peter
Bergen notes, “Leaderless things don’t produce big outcomes.” That being said, it does not
mean that Sageman’s arguments are all flawed, to a certain degree, he makes some credible
points and this paper will analyse those arguments in greater depth. To illustrate key points
found in both Hoffman’s and Sageman’s argument, this essay will make use of the ...
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...ti-layered threat. Furthermore, the report also states the domestic radicalization leading to
terrorism is a problem as well and one that is actually accelerating and the two threats
actually complement one another. Al Qaeda messaging plays a key role in radicalization,
while domestically radicalized individuals (7/7 bombers) often cycle through al Qaeda-run
training camps.
Furthermore, the CSIS report highlights the threat of al Qaeda, “the al Qaeda threat
has not disappeared despite the successes by intelligence and security forces in targeting
and neutralizing much of the group’s pre-9/11 leadership. CSIS’s focus is on the threat posed
by individuals and groups inspired by the ideology of al Qaeda. The primary threats to
Canada and interests would those posed by Islamist extremism and this threat exists both
domestically and internationally.
The organization I have chosen for this essay is CSIS ( Canadian Security Intelligence Service ). CSIS closely resembles The Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) or British Security Intelligence Service. I have chosen this organization because I have great interest in becoming an employee of CSIS in the future. This essay will provide brief history of CSIS, the responsibilities of CSIS for Canada, and the application process for an entry – level position. These will be further discussed in greater detail as the essay goes on.
forces. Terrorist cells will continue to expand their realm and scope to inflict pain to other
Unfortunately, terrorism is known to the United States very well because there are a lot of threats of terrorist acts against the United States. Unlike, a criminal threat a terrorist threat is considered to be very serious and has to be acted upon as soon as possible because these
...as the actions of the United States government goes unnoticed, they will continue to infiltrate, disrupt, and terrorize any organization, or person that pose a threat to them.
This essay does not agree with the viewpoint with that of Stuart Rachels and supports its position with some theory.
After the attacks by the predominantly Saudi extremists on 9-11, the administration of then President George ‘Dubya’ Bush went into overdrive to be seen as proactive in the effort to make sure that the attacks could not be repeated. With the passage of The USA Patriot Act, the then President Bush asserted, we would be handed our intelligence and law enforcement officers the required tools and abilities to fight this new and ‘present danger.’ The document lays out the assertions of the President as of October 26, 2001 as given during a speech at the White House. Also included are the contrasting comments and opinions of Suzanne Spaulding, who has served in the intelligence community for 25 years under both Republican and Democratic presidents and is currently Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security.
Terrorism represents a continuing threat to the United States. It is the most significant threat to our national security. Terrorist attacks have left many concerned about the possibility of future incidents of terrorism in the United States. Since the events of September 11, 2011, Americans and much of the world have been afraid. Americans are at war with terrorism and no longer feel comfortable.
Discuss this view with detailed reference to your prescribed text and ONE other related text of
The article “Officials: Al Qaeda tries to recruit Americans in Syria” is about how Al Qaeda is encouraging fighters in Syria to prepare them in the case that they will return home to carry out attacks. They are prepared to send the fighters home by train. There...
the end of this paper I will show how I come to this conclusion. First I will tell the story in my
who is right or are they both wrong. In this paper I will attempt to examine
In this essay I will hope to set out both sides of the argument, for
a comprehensive research service. Retrieved May 2, 2004, from Terrorist Attack by Al Qaeda: http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/033104.pdf. Gunaratna, R. (2005, September). Retrieved September 2005, from http://strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pubs/parameters/articles/05spring/henzel.pdf. Gunaratna, R. (n.d.).
Al Qaeda, the organization that the United States is in a constant, never ending battle with, the organization that has made the most impact and changed the United States forever. Al Qaeda is always making headlines with their terrorist attacks, the most known attack September 11th, 2001. This essay is about the terrorist group Al Qaeda, its history and background, Osama bin Laden, their well-known leader, and the major attacks on America.
In order to fully substantiate my argument, I will refer to specific course concepts and theories in the following major parts of this paper: