Abstract This paper examines the ideology of al Qaeda terrorism. In particular, the paper attempts to understand why al Qaeda is particularly successful at attracting well-educated people in the Muslim world. The paper studies the appeal of radical Islamist terrorism, how it differs from terrorism of the 1970s and 1980s, and the emergence of the al-Qaeda movement. The paper then examines the theology of the al-Qaeda movement that glorifies death and the implications of radical religious based religious movements for the modern world. The paper concludes with an examination of the careers of the two top leaders of al-Qaeda: Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.
Tags: osama bin laden ayman al-zawahri, sayyid qutb al-qaeda alienation Terrorism
Abstract The paper looks at Al-Qaeda's historical background, ideology, motivation, support base, tactics and strategies, past activities and future threat potential and possible targets. Due to the seamless and fluid nature of Al-Qaeda, the author stresses, it is difficult to predict its potential targets and the extent of threat posed by Al-Qaeda. The paper concludes that, after the disruptions of Al-Qaeda because of the actions of the U.S. and other countries following 9/11, the organization serves more as a symbolic source of inspiration for dangerous Islamic terrorist splinter groups around the world rather than being involved directly in major terrorist plans. However, the global community cannot afford to be complacent and let its guard down.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Historical Background and Al-Qaeda's Origins
Al-Qaeda's Ideology, Motivation, and Goals
Ideological, International and Religious Support
Relationship with the United States/ Other Countries
Tactics and Strategies Used by Al-Qaeda
Selection of Victims and Targets
Past Terrorist Activities: Successes and Failures
Future Threat/ Potential Targets
My Own Analysis/ Opinion of the Terrorist Group
From the Paper "The suicide bombings also have other inherent advantages: it is simple and inexpensive; it almost certainly guarantees mass casualties and extensive damage; there are no chances of post-attack fears of interrogation since the attacker is dead; and it has a powerful effect on the public and the media because of the horror such an attack generates. The only problem is to find people who are willing to sacrifice themselves, and due to the fanatical nature of its teachings, al-Qaeda seems to have no dearth of such people in its ranks."
Tags: mujahedeen, maktab al-khadamat, civilian infidels, smuggle symbolic
Abstract In this paper, the author argues that the rapid changes in society have allowed power to shift to "non-state" actors. The most notorious among them is the Al-Qaeda terror network. In this paper, the organization of Al-Qaeda is evaluated and its international connections are considered the reason for Al-Qaeda's continued operations. The author also examines Al-Qaeda's financing and the shared religious beliefs among its members. The September 11th attacks are also discussed.
Outline:
Research Questions
Introduction
Loose Network of People Connections
Case 1: Bombings in Istanbul
Solid Structured Organization
Finances
Case 2: September 11, 2001
Leads of the Al-Qaeda
The Al-Qaeda Today
Case 3: The Madrid Train Bombing
Conclusion
From the Paper "Al-Qaeda, the largest international terrorist network, is a distributed, roaming and non-territorial network. It functions as a hybrid peer-to-peer network through its combined use of advanced information technologies and traditional halawa exchanges, in which a central source triggers the actions that are carried out by individual nodes. It is organized in self-contained nodes that function autonomously and its responsibility and authority is devolved down to the lowest possible level. This networked structure of authority and accountability is most evident in al-Qaeda operations, as cells planned and carried out operations with considerable and independence."
Abstract The paper delves into the origins of the pro-jihad, pan-Islamic Al-Qaeda terrorist organization. This paper discusses the ideology of the organization, while also profiling its leader, the man believed to be the mastermind behind the 9/11 terror attack, Osama bin Laden. The writer of this paper examines Iraq's direct involvement with Al-Qaeda and that of Islamic terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who heads the Iraqi branch of the organization. This paper explores the relationship between bin Laden and al-Zarqawi as well as the groups terrorist training camps which are located throughout in the middle east. This paper also discusses the strategies used by the U.S. and Britain in combating the increasing terror coming out of both Iraq and Afghanistan.
From the Paper "The leadership of both conjoined terrorist groups shows the national diversity of the leaders of terrorist organizations of the Muslim world, as Osama bin Laden is a Saudi, while a Jordanian leads the Iraqi group, as well as the different techniques open to the groups, from bombs to poisons, to engage in acts of mass terror. In terms of its current choice of activities, the United States military has attributed some of Iraq's bloodiest suicide bombings and some hostage beheadings to Tanzeem Qaedat Al Jihad Fee Bilad Al Rafidain. The military also believes that the group has long used Fallujah as its key base and continues to do so, despite United States control and the attempts to instate a new Iraqi government. The group now known as Tanzeem Qaedat Al Jihad Fee Bilad Al Rafidain has long used highly inflammatory ways of conveying its message and committing its acts of violence against innocent American civilians, most notably the beheading of a United States civilian."
Abstract This paper discusses whether al-Qaeda is still a threat to the world community. It outlines history of al-Qaeda and its ideology, which differs fundamentally from "traditional" terrorist organizations with specific political causes. The author argues that al-Qaeda has "metastized" from an organization into an ideology and cause.
From the Paper "On a Monday morning in the late summer this writer got a phone call from a friend telling him to turn on CNN. "Buddy, we're under attack," the friend said. What the writer and millions of other Americans saw in the ..."
Abstract This paper relates that terrorist activities can be examined as features of a general structural process, but it should be noted that al Qaeda's AGIL process is often distorted by factors not commonly faced by other organizations. The author explains that, in applying the AGIL process to the terrorist organization known as al Qaeda, factors such as adaptation, goal attainment, integration and latency are evident. The paper points out that these factors operate in al Qaeda to a more limited degree than they do in more traditional and mainstream organizations.
From the Paper "In applying the AGIL process to the terrorist organization known as al Qaeda, it is evident that factors such as adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency continue to al Qaeda, but to a more limited degree than they do in more traditional and mainstream organizations. Terrorist activities can be examined as features of a general structural process, but it should be noted that al Qaeda's AGIL process is often distorted by factors not commonly faced by other organizations. For example, many of al Qaeda's functions are in conflict more often and are "on" or "off" more frequently and unexpectedly because of the global war on terror, which compels al Qaeda leaders, strategists, financiers, and cell members to be reactive much more often than they can be proactive."
Abstract This paper describes al Qaeda. The author points out al Qaeda's current goals as a terrorist organization. The paper examines the difficulties involved in locating operatives and in gathering information because members form small groups called cells.
From the Paper "According to Benjamin Wittes writing in "Atlantic Monthly", al-Qaeda is not a traditional uniformed military force. In fact it's not a geographically distinct military force at all. Rather, the organization is composed of cells scattered worldwide whose members seek to blend into the societies they wish to destroy. The organization's very nature makes distinguishing between combatants and noncombatants extremely difficult. When captured al-Qaeda, operatives often deny their affiliation. However, it is known that al-Qaeda has a specific set of goals. Furthermore there seems to be no ... '
Tags:Al Qaeda, terrorists, September 11, Madrid, suicide bomber, terrorism
Abstract This paper examines the marketing problems facing the Al Ahram Beverages Company, a manufacturer and distributor of beer in Egypt. The paper looks at the unique cultural challenges of marketing such a product within a Muslim country.
From the Paper "Al Ahram Beverages Company (AABC) is in a period of transition. It has gone from a publicly-held enterprise to a privately-owned company in Egypt, as part of a reform movement that included the privatization of many..."
Tags:Al Ahram Beverages company, case study, Egypt, competition, 4 Ps, marketing, product, price, place promotion, social change, liberalization, government owned monopoly
Abstract The paper offers an introduction to the threat that Al-Qaeda poses to the world and outlines the background of Osama Bin-Laden, Ayman Al-Zawahiri and the fundamentalist movements that inspired them. The paper looks at the world view of the leaders of Al-Qaeda and the stages of Al-Qaeda's operations. Finally, the paper explores some options for dealing with the threat Al-Qaeda poses.
Outline:
Introduction
Osama Bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri History
Ideology: The Muslim Brotherhood
World View of Bin-Laden and Al-Zawahiri, Israel, the US and Infidels
Al-Qaeda Stages of Operation, The Arab World, The Third World and All the World
Conclusion
From the Paper "Al-Qaeda and its leaders, Osama Bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri are frequently popular world news subjects. The world seems to want to be constantly aware of the goings on of these people and their organization. There is no secret to the desired need for this information. As most people know Al-Qaeda is a significant and ongoing threat to the world, with regard to terrorist activities and continued fundamentalist extremism with regard to jihad, or what these extremists see as a holy war against the rest of the world, but mostly the Western world."
Abstract This paper explains the story from the Qur'an, Surat Al-Kahf, about Moses (Musa or Alai) and Al-Khidr (the Verdant One or the Fertile One). The author points out that research states that Al-Khidr was Koranic Idris that appears in Sura 18/66 in terms of the cave. The paper relates that, during the point when Moses met Khidr at the rivers, there were five particular laws of teachings or hanifs or illuminati: laws of involuntionary and evolutionary cycles, of emanation and manifestation, of the heart-mind (galb), of science of light (hikmat al-ilraq) and of the spiritual communion with the hierarchical beings. The author states that popular tradition suggests that Al-Khidr, the Green One, lived during the time of the biblical prophet Abraham and that he still may be seen at sacred places. The paper concludes that the person named, the Verdent One, still plays the critical role in Islamic mysticism.
From the Paper "One day, Moses delivered a sermon that was so powerful that people were so overwhelmed. Everyone had his attention and vowed to follow his advice. A person asked Moses, since he is the messenger of Allah, is there anyone else that is so equivalent in his teachings. Moses replied no, thinking to himself that Allah gave him this wisdom to persuade and guide, which is an honor coming from the Torah. However, Moses thought to himself, there have to be another person with greater wisdom and further knowledge than me. Moses prayed to Allah to identify this person or give him a sign that would notify him of this person with greater wisdom and knowledge (min ladunni ilma) than Moses."
