chapter seven: the evolution of jihadist networks

Chapter Seven:Chapter Seven:

The Evolution of Jihadist The Evolution of Jihadist NetworksNetworks

Religion and Militant Religion and Militant ReligionReligion

Religion and Militant ReligionReligion and Militant Religion

The birth of al QaedaThe birth of al Qaeda Born in the last stages of the Born in the last stages of the

Soviet-Afghan WarSoviet-Afghan War It grew until the U.S. took offensive It grew until the U.S. took offensive

in Afghanistan in October 2001in Afghanistan in October 2001 Al Qaeda 2.0: a group that is Al Qaeda 2.0: a group that is

defined by Peter Bergen as a defined by Peter Bergen as a decentralized alliance of al Qaeda decentralized alliance of al Qaeda terrorists spread throughout the terrorists spread throughout the worldworld

Jihadist ideologyJihadist ideology Islam has become corrupt and Islam has become corrupt and

needs to be purifiedneeds to be purified Much of the corruption is due to Much of the corruption is due to

the values and economic powers the values and economic powers of the Westof the West

They are not necessarily affiliated They are not necessarily affiliated and certainly not controlled by al and certainly not controlled by al QaedaQaeda


Jihadists and the values of IslamJihadists and the values of Islam Many Muslims and Christians become Many Muslims and Christians become

upset when their faith is portrayed in upset when their faith is portrayed in terms of violent terrorismterms of violent terrorism

Others point to violent sects in IslamOthers point to violent sects in Islam Confusions about mainstream Islam Confusions about mainstream Islam

complicate attempts to understand complicate attempts to understand Jihadists. Misunderstandings increase Jihadists. Misunderstandings increase when Jihadists use religious rhetoric when Jihadists use religious rhetoric and languageand language


The Origins of Jihadist The Origins of Jihadist NetworksNetworks

The Origins of Jihadist NetworksThe Origins of Jihadist Networks

The originsThe origins Stretch back to religious Stretch back to religious

interpretation and reform interpretation and reform movements within Islammovements within Islam

Taqi al Din ibn TaymiyyahTaqi al Din ibn Taymiyyah An Islamic scholarAn Islamic scholar Called for the destruction of Called for the destruction of

heretics and invaders, calling heretics and invaders, calling jihadjihad the sixth pillar of Islamthe sixth pillar of Islam

The Origins of Jihadist NetworksThe Origins of Jihadist Networks Five PillarsFive Pillars

A confession of faith in God and A confession of faith in God and acceptance of Mohammed as God’s acceptance of Mohammed as God’s last and greatest prophetlast and greatest prophet

Ritual prayers with the communityRitual prayers with the community Giving almsGiving alms Fasting, especially during holy Fasting, especially during holy

periodsperiods Making a pilgrimage to Making a pilgrimage to

Mohammed’s birthplace, MeccaMohammed’s birthplace, Mecca

The Origins of Jihadist NetworksThe Origins of Jihadist Networks Translation of JihadTranslation of Jihad

Translated as Holy War in European termsTranslated as Holy War in European terms In Arabic, jihad derives from the word In Arabic, jihad derives from the word

jahada, jahada, which is defined as a struggle or which is defined as a struggle or effort against some type of powereffort against some type of power

Traditionally, many Traditionally, many ulemaulema believed that believed that the original meaning of jihad focused on the original meaning of jihad focused on internal struggles, but it assumed a more internal struggles, but it assumed a more military meaning when the early Muslim military meaning when the early Muslim community faced threats from non-community faced threats from non-MuslimsMuslims

The Origins of Jihadist NetworksThe Origins of Jihadist Networks Reform movements throughout the history of IslamReform movements throughout the history of Islam

In the late eighteenth century a purification movement In the late eighteenth century a purification movement started by Mohammed ibn Abdul Wahhab, who was started by Mohammed ibn Abdul Wahhab, who was influenced by ibn Taymiyyah, took root in Arabia. Wahhab influenced by ibn Taymiyyah, took root in Arabia. Wahhab preached a puritanical strain of Islam that sought to rid the preached a puritanical strain of Islam that sought to rid the religion of practices added after the first few decades religion of practices added after the first few decades following Mohammed’s deathfollowing Mohammed’s death

One hundred years after Wahhab a reform movement One hundred years after Wahhab a reform movement named after the elders if Islam, Salafiyya, grew from North named after the elders if Islam, Salafiyya, grew from North Africa. It gave rise to the Muslim BrotherhoodAfrica. It gave rise to the Muslim Brotherhood The Brotherhood preached a message of purification The Brotherhood preached a message of purification

similar to that of Wahhab. The Brothers were not similar to that of Wahhab. The Brothers were not militantmilitant

By 1950, a violent wing of the Brotherhood fell under the By 1950, a violent wing of the Brotherhood fell under the influence of Sayyid Qutb, a radical Muslim who called for influence of Sayyid Qutb, a radical Muslim who called for the imposition of Islamic lawthe imposition of Islamic law

The Origins of Jihadist NetworksThe Origins of Jihadist Networks

John Colley John Colley Believes the foundation of modern Believes the foundation of modern

Jihadist power grew from the Cold Jihadist power grew from the Cold War, and he blames the West for War, and he blames the West for incubating the networkincubating the network

The Origins of Jihadist NetworksThe Origins of Jihadist Networks The relationship between the United States and the The relationship between the United States and the

mujahadeen during the Soviet-Afghan Warmujahadeen during the Soviet-Afghan War The United States helped Saudi Arabia develop a The United States helped Saudi Arabia develop a

funding mechanism and underground arms network funding mechanism and underground arms network to supply the mujahadeento supply the mujahadeen

The United States agreed to give most of the The United States agreed to give most of the weapons and supplies to the Interservice weapons and supplies to the Interservice Intelligence Agency (ISI), while the ISI built Intelligence Agency (ISI), while the ISI built mujahadeen groups with little American mujahadeen groups with little American participationparticipation

Islamic charities flourished in the United States, and Islamic charities flourished in the United States, and their donations supported the mujahadeentheir donations supported the mujahadeen

When the Soviets left Afghanistan in 1989, the When the Soviets left Afghanistan in 1989, the United States rejoiced and abandoned war-torn United States rejoiced and abandoned war-torn AfghanistanAfghanistan

Jihad Continues in Jihad Continues in AfghanistanAfghanistan

Jihad Continues in AfghanistanJihad Continues in Afghanistan

After the Soviet-Afghan WarAfter the Soviet-Afghan War The mujahadeen groups continued The mujahadeen groups continued

to fight for control of the countryto fight for control of the country Americans paid more attention to Americans paid more attention to

potential profits than the political potential profits than the political problems brewing in Afghanistanproblems brewing in Afghanistan

On another level, the United States On another level, the United States simply ignored issuessimply ignored issues

The Rise of Osama bin The Rise of Osama bin LadenLaden

The Rise of Osama bin LadenThe Rise of Osama bin Laden

Bin Laden’s influencesBin Laden’s influences Bin laden was influenced by Sayyid Qutb’s Bin laden was influenced by Sayyid Qutb’s

thoughtthought While in Afghanistan, bin Laden fell under the While in Afghanistan, bin Laden fell under the

influences of Abdullah Azzam, a doctor of influences of Abdullah Azzam, a doctor of Islamic LawIslamic Law Azzam came to believe that a purified form Azzam came to believe that a purified form

of Islam was the answer to questions of of Islam was the answer to questions of poverty and the loss of political powerpoverty and the loss of political power

The realm of Islam had been dominated by The realm of Islam had been dominated by foreign powers for too long, and it was foreign powers for too long, and it was time for all Muslims to rise up and strike time for all Muslims to rise up and strike SatanSatan


Al QaedaAl Qaeda Bin Laden and Azzam established what Bin Laden and Azzam established what

they called a base or foundation (al they called a base or foundation (al Qaeda) as a potential headquarters for Qaeda) as a potential headquarters for future jihadfuture jihad

Bin Laden was its leader, and the Bin Laden was its leader, and the organization included an intelligence organization included an intelligence component, a military committee, a component, a military committee, a political committee, and a committee political committee, and a committee in charge of media affairs and in charge of media affairs and propagandapropaganda


Funding of al QaedaFunding of al Qaeda The United States would hardly The United States would hardly

have considered funding al Qaeda, have considered funding al Qaeda, but the Pakistani ISI intervenedbut the Pakistani ISI intervened

The ISI developed the structure The ISI developed the structure that would support al Qaeda with that would support al Qaeda with U.S. and Saudi funds during the U.S. and Saudi funds during the Soviet-Afghan WarSoviet-Afghan War


Al ZawahiriAl Zawahiri Leader of the Egyptian Islamic JihadLeader of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad Persuaded bin Laden that an umbrella Persuaded bin Laden that an umbrella

organization was the type of organization was the type of organization to take control of organization to take control of Afghanistan and spread the new Afghanistan and spread the new Islamic empireIslamic empire

After Azzam was killed by a remote-After Azzam was killed by a remote-controlled car bomb, bin Laden and al controlled car bomb, bin Laden and al Zawahiri became the undisputed Zawahiri became the undisputed leaders of al Qaedaleaders of al Qaeda


The enemiesThe enemies The United StatesThe United States The WestThe West IsraelIsrael Muslims who refused to accept Muslims who refused to accept

Jihadist theologyJihadist theology

The Rise of Osama bin LadenThe Rise of Osama bin Laden Iraq invades Kuwait (1990)Iraq invades Kuwait (1990)

Bin Laden was infuriated when the U.S. joined Bin Laden was infuriated when the U.S. joined Saudi Arabia in a large international coalitionSaudi Arabia in a large international coalition

As thousands on non-Muslim troops arrived in As thousands on non-Muslim troops arrived in Saudi Arabia, radical Muslims were appalled to Saudi Arabia, radical Muslims were appalled to find Muslims fighting Muslims under U.S. find Muslims fighting Muslims under U.S. leadershipleadership

The U.S.-led coalition called this military buildup The U.S.-led coalition called this military buildup Desert Shield, and it became Desert Storm in Desert Shield, and it became Desert Storm in February 1991 when American, Brittish, and February 1991 when American, Brittish, and other allied forces poured into Iraq and Kuwaitother allied forces poured into Iraq and Kuwait

After Desert Storm, the Saudi government After Desert Storm, the Saudi government allowed U.S. troops to be stationed in Saudi allowed U.S. troops to be stationed in Saudi ArabiaArabia

Declaring War on the Declaring War on the United StatesUnited States

Declaring War on the United StatesDeclaring War on the United States

Hasan al TurabiHasan al Turabi After fleeing Saudi Arabia, bin After fleeing Saudi Arabia, bin

Laden found friends in Sudan’s Laden found friends in Sudan’s radical government formed under radical government formed under the influence of Hasan al Turabithe influence of Hasan al Turabi

Bin Laden and Turabi formed a Bin Laden and Turabi formed a helpful alliance: Turabi served as helpful alliance: Turabi served as the philosopher while bin Laden the philosopher while bin Laden provided the organizational skillsprovided the organizational skills


December 1992December 1992 A bomb exploded in a hotel in A bomb exploded in a hotel in

Yemen that had been housing Yemen that had been housing American troopsAmerican troops

It was the opening shot in bin It was the opening shot in bin Laden’s war against the United Laden’s war against the United States and an international States and an international campaign of terrorcampaign of terror


Financing al QaedaFinancing al Qaeda In the 1980s, terrorism was frequently In the 1980s, terrorism was frequently

associated with a particular stateassociated with a particular state Bin Laden transcended from the state and Bin Laden transcended from the state and

operated on his ownoperated on his own Shahar argues that bin Laden’s Shahar argues that bin Laden’s

entrepreneurial efforts gave him the entrepreneurial efforts gave him the freedom to finance and command the al freedom to finance and command the al Qaeda terror networkQaeda terror network

The 9-11 Commission Report believes bin The 9-11 Commission Report believes bin Laden was and remains funded by Laden was and remains funded by wealthy sympathizerswealthy sympathizers


19931993 Using his contacts in Sudan, bin Using his contacts in Sudan, bin

Laden began searching for Laden began searching for weapons of mass destructionweapons of mass destruction

In October 1993, a U.S. Army Black In October 1993, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter was downedHawk helicopter was downed


Bin Laden and assassination Bin Laden and assassination attemptsattempts In 1993, bin Laden’s Afghans tried In 1993, bin Laden’s Afghans tried

to murder Prince Abdullah (now to murder Prince Abdullah (now King Abdullah) of JordanKing Abdullah) of Jordan

In 1995, U.S. sources believe bin In 1995, U.S. sources believe bin Laden was behind the attempted Laden was behind the attempted assassination of Egyptian assassination of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarakpresident Hosni Mubarak


The evolving nature of the al Qaeda The evolving nature of the al Qaeda campaigncampaign The actions of al Qaeda were not the The actions of al Qaeda were not the

result of a mastermind terrorist pulling the result of a mastermind terrorist pulling the strings, but rather a loose confederation strings, but rather a loose confederation of like-minded people who had limited of like-minded people who had limited interactionsinteractions

Individual Jihadist operators took actions Individual Jihadist operators took actions within the aura of al Qaedawithin the aura of al Qaeda

Declaration of WarDeclaration of War Bin Laden declared war on the United Bin Laden declared war on the United

States in 1996States in 1996


The nature of al Qaeda and bin The nature of al Qaeda and bin LadenLaden Bin Laden represents a new phase Bin Laden represents a new phase

in Middle Eastern terrorism. He is in Middle Eastern terrorism. He is intent on spreading the realm of intent on spreading the realm of Islam with a transnational groupIslam with a transnational group

Bin Laden uses Islam to call for Bin Laden uses Islam to call for religious violencereligious violence

Bin Laden wants to cause deathBin Laden wants to cause death


Further terrorist actionsFurther terrorist actions In August 1998, bin Laden’s terrorists In August 1998, bin Laden’s terrorists

bombed the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, bombed the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaKenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

For the first time, al Qaeda could For the first time, al Qaeda could operate a cell planted in a country operate a cell planted in a country hundreds of miles away from training hundreds of miles away from training campscamps

Then came the attack on the USS Then came the attack on the USS ColeCole in 2000, a failed millennium plot, and in 2000, a failed millennium plot, and the attacks of September 11, 2001the attacks of September 11, 2001


Al Qaeda affiliates and other attacksAl Qaeda affiliates and other attacks Affiliates attacked other areas Affiliates attacked other areas

including:including: Bali (2000)Bali (2000) The U.S. Compounds in Riyadh The U.S. Compounds in Riyadh

(May 2003)(May 2003) Morocco (August 2003)Morocco (August 2003) Madrid (March 2004)Madrid (March 2004)


Michael DoranMichael Doran Jihadists were fueled by local Jihadists were fueled by local

issues and diverse goalsissues and diverse goals The different Jihadist organizations The different Jihadist organizations

say they all believe in the same say they all believe in the same thing, but when local situations are thing, but when local situations are examines, Jihadist causes are examines, Jihadist causes are variedvaried


The results of counterterrorist effortsThe results of counterterrorist efforts Irm HaleemIrm Haleem

U.S. operations in Afghanistan caused al Qaeda to U.S. operations in Afghanistan caused al Qaeda to completely decentralizecompletely decentralize

Al Qaeda reformed from an umbrella or hub into a Al Qaeda reformed from an umbrella or hub into a series of autonomous organizations driven by local series of autonomous organizations driven by local concernsconcerns

John ArquillaJohn Arquilla Chain organizationChain organization: al Qaeda serves as more of an : al Qaeda serves as more of an

inspiration than a hubinspiration than a hub Jessica SternJessica Stern

By decentralizing to a chain organization, By decentralizing to a chain organization, supporting terrorist allies, and maintaining the supporting terrorist allies, and maintaining the ability to threaten the world, al Qaeda was more ability to threaten the world, al Qaeda was more dangerous than everdangerous than ever


Operation Iraqi FreedomOperation Iraqi Freedom The invasion that intended to preempt The invasion that intended to preempt

Hussein from launching a terrorist Hussein from launching a terrorist attack on the United Statesattack on the United States

Two suppositions by Bush Two suppositions by Bush administration supported the invasion:administration supported the invasion: That Iraq was holding weapons of That Iraq was holding weapons of

mass destructionmass destruction Hussein had established ties with al Hussein had established ties with al

QaedaQaeda

Declaring War on the United StatesDeclaring War on the United States Responses to the decision to go to warResponses to the decision to go to war

Robert Kagan argues that the long-range issue should Robert Kagan argues that the long-range issue should focus on building international political hegemony in Iraq. focus on building international political hegemony in Iraq.

According to Kagen, Jihadist network takes strength from According to Kagen, Jihadist network takes strength from two main factors:two main factors: The dynamic nature of the network The dynamic nature of the network Its ability to create so much hatred for the United Its ability to create so much hatred for the United

States that difference between Jihadists disappearStates that difference between Jihadists disappear Another opinion suggests that the United States has Another opinion suggests that the United States has

alienated the Arab world and many millions of Muslims for alienated the Arab world and many millions of Muslims for launching the wrong war against the wrong targetlaunching the wrong war against the wrong target

This argument maintains that the United States needs to This argument maintains that the United States needs to fight terrorism by allying with the international community fight terrorism by allying with the international community and alienating terrorists from potential supportand alienating terrorists from potential support

chapter seven: the evolution of jihadist networks

Documents

pillar of islam slide

values of islam jihadists

islam confusions

islam taqi

qaeda religion

world al qaeda

militant religion slide

mecca slide