AL QAEDA PERSPECTIVE AND A PATH TO DELEGITIMIZATION

AL QAEDA PERSPECTIVE AND A PATH TO DELEGITIMIZATION

CONTENTS

PREFACE

Chapter 1 AL QAEDA AND AFFILIATES: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, GLOBAL PRESENCE, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR U.S. POLICY*

SUMMARY

BACKGROUND1

ORIGINS OF AL QAEDA15

The Threat Unfolds

AFGHANISTAN23

Background and Threat Assessment

Implications for U.S. Policy

PAKISTAN30

Background and Threat Assessment

Implications for U.S. Policy

AL QAEDA IN THE ARABIAN PENINSULA (AQAP)52

Background and Threat Assessment

Implications for U.S. Policy

NORTH AFRICA/SAHEL: AL QAEDA IN THE ISLAMIC MAGHREB (AQIM)72

Background and Threat Assessment

Algeria

The Sahel

Implications for U.S. Policy

EAST AFRICA87

Background and Threat Assessment

Al Shabaab and the Islamist Movements in Somalia

The Evolution of Al Shabaab90

Al Shabaab and Other Somali Terrorist Groups in Somalia

Implications for U.S. Policy92

AL QAEDA AND RADICAL ISLAMIST EXTREMISTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA96

Background and Threat Assessment

Implications for U.S. Policy

AL QAEDA’S GLOBAL STRATEGY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR U.S. POLICY110

End Notes

Chapter 2 DELEGITIMIZING AL-QAEDA: A JIHAD-REALIST APPROACH*

FOREWORD

SUMMARY

DELEGITIMIZING AL-QAEDA: A JIHAD-REALIST APPROACH

How Al-Qaeda Ends

A Jihad-Realist Jurisprudential Approach

Waging Jihad: Al-Qaeda’s Violations of the Shari’a32

The Jihad-Realist Rejection of Violent Rebellion and Takfir44

The Jihad-Realist Rejection of al-Qaeda Based and Inspired Terrorism.57

CONCLUSION AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Conclusion

Policy Suggestions

End Notes

INDEX

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