Al-Qaeda's Terror Network

Paper Summary:

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."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Testimony of Ahmed Ressame <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/trail/inside/testimony.html#3>
• Testimony of bin Laden aides <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/binladen/bombings/trial.html>Testimony of bin Laden <http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/binladen/binladen20601tt.pdf>
• Robinson, Adam. Terror on the pitch. Great Britain. Mainstream Publishing Company Ltd.
• Honderich, Ted. After the terror. Edinburgh. Edinburgh University Press Ltd.

More papers on Al-Qaeda's Terror Network:

• Essay # 9949 : "Al Qaeda: Ideology, Goals and Objectives"
• Book Review # 95109 : "Seeds of Terror"
• Analytical Essay # 147835 : "Terrorism and the Muslim World"

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