Al-Qaeda is a militant Islamist organization founded in 1988 by Osama bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam. It is known for its global terrorist activities and attacks against Western and non-Muslim targets, with the goal of establishing a pan-Islamic caliphate across the Muslim world.
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Al-Qaeda was responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, which killed nearly 3,000 people and led to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.
The group has carried out numerous other high-profile terrorist attacks worldwide, including the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole.
Al-Qaeda operates through a decentralized network of regional affiliates and inspired individuals, making it difficult to dismantle the organization completely.
The group's ideology is based on a radical interpretation of Islam that justifies violence against non-Muslims and Muslim governments perceived as un-Islamic.
The U.S. government has designated Al-Qaeda as a foreign terrorist organization and has made its disruption and destruction a top national security priority.
Review Questions
Explain the origins and goals of Al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaeda was founded in 1988 by Osama bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam, with the primary goal of establishing a pan-Islamic caliphate across the Muslim world. The group's ideology is based on a radical interpretation of Islam that justifies the use of violence against non-Muslims and Muslim governments perceived as un-Islamic. Al-Qaeda seeks to drive Western influence out of Muslim-majority countries and overthrow existing Muslim governments in order to establish a unified Islamic state governed by its strict interpretation of Sharia law.
Describe the key terrorist activities and attacks carried out by Al-Qaeda.
Al-Qaeda is responsible for some of the most high-profile terrorist attacks in modern history, including the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, which killed nearly 3,000 people and led to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. The group has also carried out numerous other attacks worldwide, such as the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole. Al-Qaeda operates through a decentralized network of regional affiliates and inspired individuals, making it difficult to dismantle the organization completely. The U.S. government has designated Al-Qaeda as a foreign terrorist organization and has made its disruption and destruction a top national security priority.
Analyze the role of Al-Qaeda in the broader context of Islamist extremism and its impact on U.S. foreign policy.
Al-Qaeda's ideology and activities are part of a broader trend of Islamist extremism that has had a significant impact on U.S. foreign policy. The group's radical interpretation of Islam, which justifies violence against non-Muslims and Muslim governments, has contributed to the rise of other terrorist organizations and inspired lone-wolf attacks. The September 11th attacks and Al-Qaeda's subsequent activities led the U.S. to launch the War on Terror, which has shaped American foreign policy for over two decades. The need to disrupt and dismantle Al-Qaeda and other Islamist extremist groups has been a top national security priority, influencing U.S. military interventions, intelligence gathering, and diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and beyond. Understanding the origins, goals, and tactics of Al-Qaeda is crucial for analyzing the complex geopolitical landscape and the challenges facing U.S. foreign policy in the face of ongoing Islamist extremist threats.
Related terms
Jihad: A spiritual struggle to follow the teachings of Islam, which can also refer to a physical, armed struggle against perceived enemies of the faith.
Caliphate: A form of Islamic government led by a caliph, a religious and political leader who is a successor to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Islamism: A political ideology that seeks to establish the rule of Islam in the political and social spheres, often through the use of violence and extremism.