Assessing Al-Qaeda (merged thread)

[Jedburgh]

Beyond Al-Qa'ida Part 1 - The Global Jihadist Movement

Defeating the global jihadist movement—which we define as al-Qaeda and the universe of jihadist groups that are associated with or inspired by al-Qaeda—is the most pressing security challenge facing the United States today. The global jihadist movement can be distinguished from traditional or local jihads, which are armed campaigns conducted by Islamist groups against local adversaries with usually limited aims as well as geographic scope, in that it targets the United States and its allies across the globe and pursues broad geopolitical aims...

Beyond al-Qaeda Part 2 - The Outer Rings of the Terrorist Universe

The “al-Qaeda universe” does not incorporate the entirety of the terrorist or extremist threat facing the United States. Clearly, Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders hope that their efforts will persuade other Islamic militant groups to join the global jihad. But what about the terrorist or extremist groups that are not part of the al-Qaeda network and do not adhere to its agenda? The temptation for policymakers is to set aside groups that have not chosen to join al-Qaeda as less dangerous. Yet these Islamist groups, non-Islamist terrorists, and criminal organizations still pose a threat to the United States, its interests, and its allies....

Contents

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: Hezbollah and Hamas

Chapter Three: Other Islamist Groups Outside the al-Qaeda Network

Chapter Four: The Iraqi Insurgency

Chapter Five: Non-Islamist Groups

Chapter Six: Antiglobalization Movements

Chapter Seven: The Convergence of Terrorism, Insurgency, and Crime

Chapter Eight: Conclusions and Recommendations

[Jedburgh]

The Jamestown Foundation's Terrorism Monitor, 15 Feb 07:

The Threat of Grassroots Jihadi Networks: A Case Study from Ceuta, Spain

...The jihadi group in Ceuta was composed of at least 11 individuals and constitutes another good example of the emergence of grassroots jihadi networks in European countries. "Grassroots jihadis" refers to groups that sympathize with and relate to the global jihadi movement, sharing common strategic objectives, but have little or no formal connections to al-Qaeda or any other associated organizations. They could, however, eventually secure relationships with some established operatives....