As previously mentioned, the pseudo-hierarchy of al-Qaeda consists of al-Qaeda core, al-Qaeda affiliates or franchises, and worldwide covert cells and individual terrorists that act alone (lone-wolves or stray dogs). However, in the following discussion, only differences between al-Qaeda Central and al-Qaeda affiliates/franchises as a globalized threat to Western interests will be described. Each entity of the al-Qaeda structure functions in a different role. Al-Qaeda Central is the leadership of the terrorist group. They provide direction and propaganda. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, a strategic dilemma and decision presented itself. First, “should all jihadists continue to fight on their traditional
For approximately the past three decades, a terrorist group has come to plague the world with its activities (Gunaratna, 2002). This group is known as Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda, when translated means “The Base”. It is a terrorist organization that seeks to remove western influence from the Middle East and spread its radical Islamic views. Al Qaeda’s most prominent leader was Osama bin Laden, until his death during a raid upon his compound in Pakistan. The Al Qaeda’s motivation stems primarily from extreme and deeply rooted religious beliefs. Their most used method of attack is through suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices. This organization has also used chemical warfare and at this time is believed to still actively seek to utilize chemical and biological agents as means to battle.
Currie, Stephen. "Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda." Terrorists and Terrorist Groups. San Diego: Lucent Books, 2002. 69-83. Print.
AABs lethal attacks are indicative of a legitimate organization with a lineage of sophisticated jihadi leadership. The organization does not appear to seek the same high-casualty high-impact that became al Qaeda’s signature (Winter, 2011, p. 891). Simultaneously, the group seems unable to cultivate a sizable number of “resistance call units.” (Winter, 2011, p. 891) Notwithstanding, neither is necessary to have significant impact. The Middle East is in a transitional period; by inflaming sectarian tensions, and bolstering insecurity it only takes a small group to act as saboteurs (Winter, 2011, p. 891). Until attacks cease or cells are disrupted, AAB will be a relevant terrorist organization.
Al Qaeda’s history began during the Cold War. Western countries, such as the United States, and its allies supported militant units within Islam to fight the Soviet Union. The United States formed an alliance with the Pakistan Interservice Intelligence Agency (ISI) (White, 2012). The ISI is equivalent to the United States intelligence agency CIA. The ISI, along with the United States began training and arming the mujahedeen (holy warriors) to fight the Soviet Union. In 1979, Afghan mujahedeen along with Saudi Arabia fought the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan (White, 2012). The United States supported the Afghan mujahedeen along with any other form of Islam to combat the Soviet Union. The United States developed an unde...
The United States is still Al Qaeda’s primary target and is under pressure to demonstrate that it is capable of assaulting the U.S. again in order to keep its credentials as the foreru...
Terrorism can be specifically classified as asymmetric conflict, or a ”war between political actors of equal strength, in which the weaker party tries to neutralize its opponent’s strength by exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses” (A16, Glossary, Mingst.) Terrorist groups pose a great security threat, on an international scale (278, Mingst.) As terrorist groups increase in size and influence, the threat on security grows as well. The question then arises as to how to eli...
context is key. To better illustrate this point, this essay will elaborate on terrorist groups such
This paper seeks to analyze the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center’s North and South Towers, the Pentagon, and the attempted attack on the White House, on the morning of September 11th, 2001. Using two different theories, that both offer an explanation as to why organizations employ terrorism, this paper will attempt to offer possible explanation as to why Al-Qaeda chose to employ terrorism, as opposed to other tactics, to further its goals as an organization.
Al Qaeda is a terrorist organization established in Peshawar, Pakistan, between 1988 or 1989 by Osama bin laden and his teacher Abullah Yusuf Azzam. Al-Qaeda is an international terrorist network that considered the top terrorist threat to the United States. Al Qaeda is seeking to get rid of all westerns from Muslims territory and replace their own Islamic regime. They are a group of people who work to gather to plan act of terrorism against Muslim and non Muslim especially United State. Al Qaeda believes that they are fighting a holy war against enemy of their religion. People from many countries have joined this group including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Britain. This paper is going to present a brief historical background of Al Qaeda that how it emerged with their ideology, view, believe, and goals they have and also it presents the Activities which this group has been done before and after the very massive attack they had in US in September 11, 2001 and the international responses to this act of violence. Finally this paper will end up with comparing this Organization (Al Qaeda) with Reverend Mike Bray the Christian terrorist.
Likewise, Goodwin illustrates how the use of categorical terrorism can be seem being used by Al-Qaida during the attacks of 9/11. Nonetheless, it is evident that Al-Qaida is unusual in terms of using terrorism to influence the rise of unity rather than trying to overthrow a standing state. For the purpose of instigating a pan-Islamic revolutionary movement, Al-Qaida tries to unite all Islamic people under one state to develop umma, or Muslim community. The logic of Al-Qaida remained that if their “revolutionaries” could illicit a reaction from the powerful US state, resulting in oppression of the middle-eastern region, that Al-Qaida could, as a result, unite all Muslims to counter this suggested oppression. Although the end goal of Al-Qaida clear failed, it does suggest the organization’s attempt at implementing categorical terrorism.
Most terrorist groups have less than 50 members as active supporters, cadre and leaders (Matusitz, 2013, Pg. 282). Instead of adopting a top pyramid management style, the KH group is grouped into divisions, which are created around regions and or duties within the organization. As with most horizontal structures they are spread thin, and are usually under the guidance of a few people (Matusitz, 2013, Pg. 282). This type of strategy can also be referred to as strategic differentiation (Matusitz, 2013, Pg. 282). This is where the organization has operating tasks in various regions and areas, which allows the group to be sub-divided into organized cells to function more secretively and out of the range of intelligence agencies (Matusitz, 2013, Pg.
(U) In order to discuss the actions and behaviors of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), one must first recognize its origins and its association or disassociation with other terrorist groups. The building of terrorist organizations does not occur overnight, and they take years of careful socialization to occur. To conceptualize the creation of a terrorist organization like ISIS, we have to look at the structural, systemic and motivational factors that comprise the group and its ideologies. If a society loses its cohesion, then some of the socio-political factors such as religion, ethnicity, tribe or clan, and race would come into play to fill that void. We could use a socio-political cleavage matrix to look for the individual friction points to see where the gestation of the terrorist organization starts and why. In this case, we will focus on one who some call the father of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This was Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian of the Sunni denomination, who took his name from his birthplace Zarqa, Jordan .
Just like any other criminal organization, terrorist groups are going to adjust to law enforcements tactics to stop them. Specifically, it is expected that the styles of attacks actually will actually decrease in size, although possible increase in quantity (Walter & Xuejuan, 2007). United States combined efforts of infiltrating, and interrupting the flow of money has had a dramatic effect on the organizational structure of terrorist hierarchies. Specifically, terror organizations have adapted to function efficiently has separate cell factions to prevent the loss of one individual being detrimental to their cause. While this method has resulted in the some groups to operate off the grid, it has also resulted in their inability to launch
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.
Toney, Michael S. Organizational Behavior Profile Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb AQIM. Charleston, SC: CreateSpace Independent Platform, 2013. Print.