...Group 1: The War in Afghanistan * Find facts about al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. Osama Bin Laden Born Sheikh Osama bin Muhammad bin ’Awad bin Laden, was born in March 10th 1957 in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. He was the founder of the Islamist militant organization Al-Qaeda, an organization that was responsible for many attacks in different parts of the world killing thousands of civilians as well as the high-profile targets. He did most of his work under the name of the Islamic religion and specially the sharia law. Osama was born in a very wealthy family, to a Saudi Arabian father and a Syrian mother; he had a total of 52 siblings. In his early ages Osama studied engineering, economics, business administration and religion where he specified in interpreting the Quran and Jihad at King Abdul-Aziz University in Saudi Arabia. Osama got married when only 17 years old, to his second cousin from his mother side of the family. Throughout his life Osama got married five times, and ended up having about 24 children. His strong religious conviction got him to join the local Islamic groups, in 1973. And in 1979 he took to Afghanistan, after the then Soviet Union had invaded the country, and in the 1980’s he officially joined the war in Afghanistan as a volunteer, against the soviet occupying power. One of his main struggles in live was the growing influence of the United States in the Middle East. He felt that the policies of the US government were the prime reason of the unhappiness...
Words: 797 - Pages: 4
...Financing AL Qaeda * Myths of Al Qaeda financing * Funding comes from the personnel assets of Bin Ladin * Al Qaeda supports itself through international drug trade * Al Qaeda has funded itself through trading blood diamonds * Al Qaeda has the backing of any state * The Bush Administration's implication that Iraq was behind the Al Qaeda attacks was unfounded, as the September 11 Commission concluded in its 2004 report. A more comprehensive 2008 Pentagon report also found no connection between the Saddam Hussein regime and Al Qaeda. There is no evidence of Saudi backing either. Al Qaeda did have a safe haven in Afghanistan under the Taliban. Charities supporting Al Qaeda * The origins of Al Qaeda financing Trace back directly to the extensive recruitment and financing networks established during the Soviet/Afghani conflict. * These networks made extensive use of Muslim charitable organizations and businesses around the world. * As al Qaeda developed and transformed itself into an international terrorist movement, it established or infiltrated a series of international Muslim charities that could be used to collect and mask the funds it needed. * These funds were used for both humanitarian relief and to support al Qaeda activities. * Commonly imams at mosques diverted compulsory charitable donations known as zakat(a tax, comprising percentages of personal income of every kind, levied as almsgiving for...
Words: 825 - Pages: 4
...Because of the removal of key Al Qaeda leadership from the battlefield in Afghansitand, Pakistan and elsewhere, the group has become more decentralized. (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/10/16/the-taliban-al-qaeda-connection.html) Some have claimed that this has made Al Qaeda more dangerous and more difficult to track. This may be true, but at the same time they are also less capable of planning and executing as complex of operations as 9/11 since they are now more scattered and a significant amount of their key leaders have been killed or captured. They have however become more difficult to track as they move into new territories such as Yemen where there is less intelligence on their activities. In the future it is possible and even likely that the US could conduct peace talks or reach a compromise with the Taliban granted they made an agreement to not to indirectly sponsor terrorist attacks by hosting groups such as Al Qaeda within their borders. Similar peace talks would be nearly impossible with Al Qaeda because of their stated goal of a global Islamic state. Conclusion Will the recent killing of bin Laden change the future relationship between al Qaeda and the Taliban? It is likely that it will change, although not diminish. The al Qaeda and Taliban relationship was largely based off of the personal relationships of Haquani and bin Laden. So into the future they will likely continue to work with each other due to their long common history and some shared...
Words: 341 - Pages: 2
...Al Qaeda’s Profile Al Qaeda is a world wide network of Islam based militant movement. It is a stateless organization which has been outlawed and branded as terrorists by key global security organizations including the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, NATO, the United States and many different countries. The organization is believed to have originated from Afghanistan towards the end of the Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan; that is, between 1988 and 1989. Some analysts of the origins of the network believe that it was nurtured by the Taliban regime which took over power from the previous mujahedeen regime following a long civil war that ensued in Afghanistan after the war against the Soviet Union was over. They believe that since the Taliban did not want any external involvements with other governments, it nurtured the al Qaeda to act as a threat to other nations which were not friendly to the regime. Many other analysts are of the opinion that the network was started by its long time leader Osama bin Laden. They believe that Osama started the movement in Afghanistan taking advantage of the call by Islamist extremists for young Muslims to volunteer as fighters alongside the Mujahedeen regime in the war against the Soviets. He is on record for providing funds for what he referred to as “Jihad” against the Soviet Union and actively participating in the same (Atwan, 2013). It is his generosity and charisma that attracted the volunteer fighters to him and he...
Words: 1533 - Pages: 7
...Al-qaeda is one of the largest terrorists groups in the world, allied with many large Islamic terrorist groups. These groups targeted the United States, including other allied countries, and the Twin Towers were one of many, targeted by Al-qaeda, killing thousands in the process. The 9/11 attack was the largest scaled attack on the United States, the attack resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, and millions worth of damage. Within 24 hours of the 9/11 attack the United States, met with the NATO committee and came up with a decision to go to war with Iraq, and sent thousands of troops within 72 hours after the announcement. Proving that the Iraq/ Afghanistan war was the cause of numerous, deadly attacks on America and NATO allied countries....
Words: 1003 - Pages: 5
...Akiva Lorenz in his essay “Al Qaeda's Maritime Threat” touches on some of the vulnerabilities of various transportation systems to Al Qaeda's asymmetric warfare, and then he moves to his main topic- Maritime Security. To date there have been three major successful terrorist attacks on maritime targets. The first was the 2000 attack on USS Cole while it was making a refueling stop in Aden, Yemen. The second was the 2002 attack on the French oil tanker USS Limburg while it was anchored off Yemen. Al Qaeda on the USS Cole and USS Limburg used small explosive loaded boats to attack their target. Usage of merchant vessels to facilitate terrorist attack is one of the four ways vessels can serve/ be used as weapon. The third major attack, and probably the one least familiar to Westerners, was the 2004 attack in the Philippines on Super Ferry 14. Mr. Lorenz uses these as stepping off points for his article and states that Maritime Terrorism is not well defined by International Law (terrorism is not well defined either) and given this lack of definition points out acts that might fall under "Maritime Terrorism": …the grey areas are cases of kidnap-for-ransom incidents, such as the May 2001 abduction of three American citizens and 17 Filipinos at the Dos Palmas resort on Palawan by Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), an Al Qaeda affiliate. Motivated by the need to finance their political aims, ASG repeatedly perpetrated such acts of piracy. Their actions are an example of the blurring of the distinction...
Words: 815 - Pages: 4
...Tracking al Qaeda Since 9/11 NAME SCHOOL Author Note (text). Tracking al Qaeda Since 9/11 Al Qaeda is a ubiquitous organization in the world today; it exists and operates on multiple continents, it has more funding than some small countries, it has ties and tacit support from state governments. This essay seeks to describe the pre 9/11 al Qaeda and compare that to the al Qaeda that we know and love (to hate) today. Background al Qaeda is a Sunni Islamist terrorist organization that operates across the world, but is based out of and concentrates on attacks in the Middle East, Northern Africa and a smaller condensed affiliate in the Philippines. Al Qaeda is responsible for attacks in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. In today’s world of the Global War on Terrorism and seemingly un-ending technological surveillance means, al Qaeda, by definition as a terrorist organization must be a secret one or face immediate destruction at the hands of any number of governments. The following sections will discuss the structure, strengths, and weaknesses of al Qaeda as it has changed from September 2001 to today. Structure Pre 9/11: Al Qaeda was very typically structured as a hierarchical organization circa 2001. It had a small leadership cell with different organizational cells below it like security and recruiting. Some descriptions include as many as 4 levels of organization (Tucker, 2008). While the lines of al Qaeda’s hierarchy were much less clear in actuality than they...
Words: 1510 - Pages: 7
...Why al Qaeda attacked us Steve Elsey March 9, 2011 POLS 3100 The attacks on September 11, 2001 were one of the most shocking things to happen on U.S. soil. The attacks are regarded as the most deadly terrorist attack to ever happen on American soil. It is one of the events that will happen in your life where you remember exactly where you were when you heard about it. I remember being in a high school photography class, where we didn’t even do anything to with photography that day, we just watched the news to see what was happening. Most of the American people wondered why we would be attacked in such a way, and what would possibly cause someone to hate us so badly. Osama bin Laden issued a letter to Americans explaining his reasoning behind the attacks, and their desire to continue attacking afterwards. The reasons he gives are that we attack them and continue to attack them; we have oppression and aggression towards them; and finally, they attack civilians because civilians chose our government, and are thereby responsible for the government actions. He also tells us what is required for them to stop attacking, which include: being called to Islam; stop our “oppression, lies, immortality and debauchery; to take an honest stance with ourselves to find that we are “a nation without principles or manners, and that the values and principles to you are something which you merely demand from others, not that which you yourself must adhere to”; stop supporting Israel; leave th...
Words: 1633 - Pages: 7
...Death of Osama bin Laden and its effects to al-Qaeda Name: Institutional Affiliation: Date: Death of Osama bin Laden and its effects to al-Qaida It has been four years down the line since the death of the al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. In history, Osama has been the potential leader in organizing terrorist activities that have left thousands dead and several injured. His charismatic leadership led to large number of recruitments of the youth men all over the world. Osama was assassination done by the US Navy seals in a night raid on a high-walled compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan (Owen, M., & Maurer, 2012). His assassination had a great impact on the running of the al-Qaida organization. Osama bin Laden had significantly achieved high recognition as the symbol of international terrorist. Consequently, Osama declared war on the US and allies affiliated to US. His mission was followed by organized and fruitful attacks by al-Qaeda militants’ in various countries. Back in the 1990s, he organized a successful attack on the USS Cole, US embassy in Kenya and Tanzania respectively. There were also attacks in Bali, Madrid, and London. Indeed, the death of Osama is a big blow to the al-Qaeda terrorist operation that has been depending on his strategic attacks. It is unfortunate to the organization since they have so far no one with such charismatic leadership to replace him (Bergen, P, 2013).. Osama’s death has significantly reduced the al-Qaeda into a confused and non-coherent terrorist...
Words: 664 - Pages: 3
...Al-Qaeda From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search al-Qaeda القاعدة Participant in the Persian Gulf War, the Global War on Terrorism, the War in Afghanistan, the Iraq War, and the Syrian Civil War Active 1988-present Ideology Sunni Islamism[1][2] Islamic fundamentalism[3] Takfirism[4] Pan-Islamism Worldwide Caliphate[5][6][7][8][9] Qutbism Wahhabism[10] Salafist Jihadism[11][12] Leaders Abdullah Yusuf Azzam (1988-1989) Osama bin Laden (1989-2011) Ayman al-Zawahiri (2011-present) Area of operations Worldwide (predominantly in the Middle East) Strength In Afghanistan – 50–100[13] In Egypt –Unknown In Iraq – 2,500[14] In the Maghreb – 300–800 In Nigeria –Unknown In Pakistan – 300[15] In Philippines – Unknown In Saudi Arabia – Unknown In Somalia – Unknown In Syria Unknown In Thailand -Unknown In Yemen –500–600[16] Allies Taliban Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan East Turkestan Islamic Movement Al-Shabaab Islamic Courts Union (dis) Jundallah Lashkar-e-Taiba Jaish-e-Mohammed Jemaah Islamiyah Boko Haram Abu Sayyaf Iraqi insurgents Caucasus Emirate FARC[17][18] Syria (alleged)[19][20] Qatar (alleged)[21] Opponents United States of America Israel International Security Assistance Force Syria Iran Afghanistan Pakistan Turkey Yemen Egypt Algeria Colombia Al-Qaeda...
Words: 14678 - Pages: 59
...“Egyptian Islamic Al-Jihad” Name Course Instructor Paper due date Abstract The Egyptian Islamic Jihad, commonly abbreviated as EIJ is an Islamic terror group seeking to overthrow the Egyptian government and install an Islamic state. More recently, the EIJ has broadened its goals to debilitating and attacking the capabilities and interests of U.S and Israel, in Egypt and in other countries. EIJ is led by Ayman al-Zawahiri since 1991, and the group has carried out numerous terror attacks through its militant cells. EIJ’s most prominent attack is the assassination of former Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat in 1981. EIJ is considered a foreign terrorist group by the U.N. In the late nineties, EIJ had largely been eradicated from Egypt, but in 2001, the group merged with al-Qaeda, and it is now known as Qaeda al-Jihad. The command structure of al-Qaeda Jihad is centered on nine leadership seats. EIJ’s former leader al-Zawahiri is an acting commander of al-Qaeda. The group has been behind some of the most horrific terror attacks of the last two decades; the group has engineered many bombings and assassinations, which have killed many, most of them innocent people. The EIJ, in its turbulent wake leaves behind a legacy of wrath, pain and bloodshed. Main Body The Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ) is also known as al-Gihad al-Islamic and Tanzim al-Jihad. Mhuammad Abd al-Salam Farraj founded EIJ in 1979 in Cairo, Egypt. Other notable leaders are al-Zawahiri, Col...
Words: 3391 - Pages: 14
...Reign of Terror initiated by the Revolutionary government.” In other words, the agents of the Committee of Public Safety and the National Convention that administered and enforced the policies of "The Terror" were called 'Terrorists". The words terrorist and terrorism can cause an immediate effect in people’s minds. People often just relate terrorism to power and politics, but what is the real meaning of Terrorism? Every time I hear the word terrorism, I unconsciously think of Religion and Arabian countries. However, those are just labels that were built up in my mind by what surrounds me. In this research paper, I will explain what terrorism is and its effect in international relations, the terrorist organizations most heard of such as Al Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood, and how international organizations are controverted and are...
Words: 2359 - Pages: 10
...“This Time is Different: Comparing Al-Qaeda’s Unique Place in the History of Terrorism with the Freedom Fighters of the Irish Republican Army” Al Qaeda and the Irish Republican Army are two of the most complex and famous terrorist organizations in modern history. While both groups share some principles with one another, and undoubtedly have committed and continue to commit horrible acts, the world’s perception of each is undoubtedly different from the other. There is an apparent contradiction in Karl Heinzen’s famous quote: “If to kill is always a crime, then it is forbidden equally to all; if it is not a crime, then it is permitted equally to all.”[1] This difference in public perception is a result of several key tenets of each organization’s strategy and structure. The IRA fights to protect and support the liberties of the Irish people, while Al Qaeda relies upon the religious doctrine of a radical Islamic minority to carry out jihad against Western infidels. Al Qaeda, while claiming to represent the entire Muslim world, has never had a real home or a consistent base to draw upon; inversely, a large proportion of the Irish people are steadfast in their support for the cause. Al Qaeda’s indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians has resulted in a falling out with a large percentage of its former supporters. Finally, the IRA had a distinct, tangible, and realistic goal of expelling the British from Ireland, while Al Qaeda seeks to establish a new caliphate based...
Words: 3638 - Pages: 15
...terrorismo al Qaeda, con la respuesta de Estados Unidos ha provocado que se abran día tras día, golpe tras golpe, bomba tras bomba, cientos de capítulos que propician más violencia, más venganza, más odio, más terrorismo, la realidad se encuentra frente a nuestros ojos el terrorismo al Qaeda se ha trasformado en el peor enemigo de los allegados y ajenos. En el siguiente escrito se mostraran aquellos pequeños detalles que ayuda a comprender la creación, funcionamiento, objetivos y estructura de esta organización terrorista al Qaeda que ya es toda una red internacional. 10 sep de 1968 Organización Terrorista Al Qaeda Terrorismo Es una forma violenta para enfrentarse, la cual tiene como objetivo la destrucción del orden o la creación de una atmosfera de terror, para así implantar inseguridad en la población o a los contrarios. El terrorismo se constituye así tanto en el ámbito interno como en el mundial, como una vía abierta a todo acto violento, degradante e intimidatorio, y aplicado sin reserva o preocupación moral alguna. Los objetivos marcados por estas organizaciones no convencionales pueden tener fines políticos, religiosos, culturales o simplemente es por la toma del poder por un medio totalmente ilícito. Por dichas causas, el mundo se ve sacudido diariamente con noticias de atentados producidos en la vía pública, donde pierden la vida, gente inocente y totalmente ajena a esa “guerra” o intereses diversos. Historia de Al Qaeda Al-Qaeda es creado...
Words: 3583 - Pages: 15
...war to stop the terrorist group al-Qaeda. They are fighting in Afghanistan but al-Qaeda is not in the country of Afghanistan but in Pakistan. The stakeholders in this issue are the United States, the Afghan civilians, the Afghan army, and the terrorist group al-Qaeda. There are three main problems going on in this war, the United States is fighting in the wrong country, we are fighting the wrong group of people, and the U.S. has people fighting in the war who should not be fighting. If the U.S. wants to win the war and stop terrorism they should not be fighting where they are fighting. In the article “Afghanistan: a tough nut to crack; Obama is misguided in thinking the U.S. is fighting al-Qaeda in Afghanistan” it clearly states that the U.S. should not be fighting in Afghanistan but in Pakistan. The first reason they should not be fighting in Afghanistan is because the terrorist group al-Qaeda isn’t even from there they are from the countries surrounding Afghanistan. President Obama sent the troops to Afghanistan to destroy the terrorist group: “Releasing the white house’s annual strategic review to the public on December 16, he declared that U.S. policy in Afghanistan was ‘on track’ to defeat al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.” The only problem president Obama found was that al-Qaeda does not have their main headquarters in Afghanistan but they are in Pakistan. There are smaller terrorist groups throughout Afghanistan: “It was Afghanistan where al-Qaeda plotted the 9/11 attacks that murdered...
Words: 1148 - Pages: 5
