The following excerpts are from a document found by the police in manchester, england, during a search of an al qaeda members home. Mapping the long, mistakefilled road to 911, this book examines the c. The logic of staying in afghanistan and the logic of getting out. Each of these relationships has a significant influence. The awardwinning bbc documentary maker tells us what hes learned in 10 years investigating al qaeda, and suggests what we should read to understand where the group came from, and what its still trying to do. Alqaeda is alive and well in afghanistan and pakistan. Jul 14, 2017 and if al qaeda were truly destroyed, even a taliban conquest of all of southern afghanistan wouldnt be enough to bring it back. In late december 2018, president trump announced that the united states would begin withdrawing approximately 7,000 troops from afghanistan, effectively cutting the u. On december 30, 2009, a team of cia operatives gathered at a remote base along the afghanistanpakistan border to meet the first lead in the years in the hunt for al qaedas senior leaders. The roots of bin ladens al qaeda network stem from the decadelong conflict that plagued afghanistan from 1979 to 1989.
Alqaeda is a transnational extremist salafist militant organization founded in 1988 by osama. Syed saleem shahzad has long been able to penetrate the afghan and. In 2002, an alqaeda attack damaged a french supertanker in the gulf of aden the global terrorism database attributes the 2004 khobar massacre to the group in addition to a number of attacks in saudi arabia, and the kidnap and murder of paul marshall johnson jr. Alqaeda began as a logistical network to support muslims fighting against the soviet union during the afghan war. At least some of the muslim fighters in the balkans are believed to have trained in al qaedas camps in afghanistan. Tactically, the united states stands alone in proficiency and undoubtedly, american drone operations have been the most effective means of combating insurgents in not only afghanistan, but also in countries harboring terrorist that have virtually no united states presence, such as pakistan the heartland of alqaeda, and yemen. This is an incomplete list of books about alqaeda ahmed, nafeez mosaddeq 2005. It will be of interest for scholars and academics in the fields of afghan history and politics, islamic fundamentalism, terrorism and international relations, as well as for a. Alqaeda is alive and well in afghanistan and pakistan war.
Bin laden formed an organization called al qaeda to advance the causes of radical islam, the establishment of an islamic state through jihad or holy war and the elimination of western presence in all muslim territories. Top alqaeda leader reported killed in afghanistan in u. In afghanistan, the terrorist group has also experienced a resurgence in territories where the presence of the afghan government and. The taliban in afghanistan council on foreign relations. Al qaeda began as a logistical network to support muslims fighting against the soviet union during the afghan war. Although it is the most hunted terrorist group in history, the campaign of holy war unleashed by alqaeda is likely to outlive itself and the current generation of islamists. Isis has ruled ruthlessly and killed with few restraints in its syrian holdings. For six years, between 2010 and 2016, the obama administration maintained that al qaeda had a minimal presence of. In 2010, it was believed to have several hundred members.
The apparent alqaeda presence, particularly in a taliban defence ministry building, suggested that bin ladens organisation and the radical islamic government regime were closely linked. There are still about 100,000 troops in afghanistan. Al qaeda afghanistan nautilus institute for security and. Trouble is, bidens logic ignores our past successes in iraq, the current state of globalization, the future of afghanistan, and, perhaps reinforcing all. At all relevant times, al qaeda was led by its emir, usama bin laden. As is the case with most things in the balkans, the answer is not entirely clear. In contrast, al qaeda groups have focused more on local populations and local flashpoints. Al qaedas campaign started with the may 2003 attack on a residential complex in riyadh and continued with several bombings and kidnappings. This book presents an alternative view of al qaidas role in afghanistan, arguing that they were a cohesive organization with clear longterm goals and strategies.
First, i examined pakistans relationships with afghanistan, the international community, the afghan insurgency, and alqaeda. Rferl june 1, 2007 rferl six men all foreignborn muslims were arrested in may in the united states, accused of involvement in a terrorist plot to attack soldiers at fort dix, a u. Zarqawi took responsibility, on several audio and video recordings, for numerous acts of violence in iraq including suicide bombings and hostage executions. Alqaedas 911 attacks was the deadliest ever on american soil, killing nearly 3,000 people. The first phasetoppling the taliban the ultraconservative political and religious faction that ruled afghanistan and provided sanctuary for alqaeda, perpetrators of the september 11 attackswas brief, lasting just two months. Taliban overruns afghan district where al qaeda ran training. Although it is the most hunted terrorist group in history, the campaign of holy war unleashed by al qaeda is likely to outlive itself and the current generation of islamists.
Alqaeda was responsible for the uss cole bombing in october 2000 in aden, killing 17 u. Afghanistan war, international conflict in afghanistan beginning in 2001 that was triggered by the september 11 attacks and consisted of three phases. This estimate of alqaedas strength, which consistently downplayed alqaedas presence in afghanistan, came crashing down in midoctober 2015, when the u. The long war journal, a project of the foundation for defense of democracies, has tracked al qaedas presence in afghanistan for more than a.
Losing afghanistan and western pakistan, ahmed rashid, himal south asian, september 2008 seven years on, the usled war on terrorism has left in its wake a far more unstable world than existed on that momentous day. Aqap was formed in january 2009 from a merger of al qaeda s yemeni and saudi branches. The document, which has since been described by the fbi as the. Al qaeda leader osama bin laden is found hiding in neighbouring pakistan and killed in a us special operations raid. Al qaeda also retains a small but possibly growing presence in afghanistan. And if al qaeda were truly destroyed, even a taliban conquest of all of southern afghanistan wouldnt be enough to bring it back. The best books on alqaeda five books expert recommendations. Al qaeda is becoming less of a presence in afghanistan.
Islamic radicalism and militancy, which is deeply intertwined with politics in the middle east region, has been on the rise since at least the 1970s, although the essential background to these developments can be traced back much further. Al qaeda background al qaeda inside the terror network. Aug 07, 2007 alqaedas declaration of war against americans praise be to allah, who revealed the book koran, controls the clouds, defeats factionalism, and says in his book. For six years, between 2010 and 2016, the obama administration maintained that al qaeda had a minimal presence of 50 to 100 leaders and fighters in country. The secret history of the cia, afghanistan, and bin laden, from the soviet invasion to september 10, 2001 offers revealing details of the cias involvement in the evolution of the taliban and al qaeda in the years before the september 11 attacks. A survey of books about osama bin laden and al qaeda the.
The origins of alqaeda can be traced to the soviet war in afghanistan december 1979. In 1996, usama bin laden and other members of al qaeda relocated to afghanistan. Qaeda and taliban factions continue to be intertwined in some parts of the country, especially in afghanistans west. Saleem shahzad provides a detailed account of the growing influence of the arab militants among the pashtuns living in the fata. While al qaeda conducted one major attack every year prior to 911, al qaeda and its associated groups have conducted one attack every three months since 911. The best books on alqaeda recommended by peter taylor. The administration argument for an iraqal qaeda linkage had a few major themes. The saudi group had been effectively suppressed by the saudi government, forcing its members to seek sanctuary in yemen. May 23, 2019 the long war journal, a project of the foundation for defense of democracies, has tracked al qaeda s presence in afghanistan for more than a decade, creating maps that show the terrorist groups. Apr 09, 2011 he told reporters at the coalitions hq in kabul. Afghanistan and pakistan scramble for the favor of al qaeda. From the beginning, coll shows how the cias onagain, offagain.
While alqaeda conducted one major attack every year prior to 911, alqaeda and its associated groups have conducted one attack every three months since 911. Since the fall of the taliban, alqaeda has established operations worldwide, including in syria, the gulf, north africa, west africa, east africa, and the indian subcontinent. Unlike al qaedas other strongholds in afghanistan before 2001 or in yemen, somalia and north africa today, this stronghold is not on the periphery of the middle eastit is in its heartland. Afghanistan and pakistan scramble for the favor of al qaeda as the us military presence winds down, afghan leaders are hedging their bets, looking to. Strategically, alqaeda seeks to ignite an endtimes battle. After alqaeda operatives attacked the united states on september 11. When the soviets withdrew from afghanistan in 1989, the organization dispersed but continued to oppose what its leaders considered corrupt islamic regimes and foreign i. From the beginning, coll shows how the cias onagain, offagain engagement with afghanistan after the end of the soviet war. The presence in afghanistan of alqaeda and its leader, osama bin laden, after the sept. The base, the foundation, alternatively spelled alqaida and alqaida is a transnational extremist salafist militant organization founded in 1988 by osama bin laden, abdullah azzam, and several other arab volunteers during the sovietafghan war.
Dec 05, 2017 the presence in afghanistan of al qaeda and its leader, osama bin laden, after the sept. Apr 27, 2017 the threats posed by terrorism as well as the issues of the countrys security, stabilization, and statebuilding efforts are the domain of my work on afghanistan, and the subject of my book. In 2002 and 2003, there was no al qaeda presence in iraq. Frank, 2011 the objectives were to find al qaeda and taliban leaders behind the attacks, reduce the talibans effectiveness to hurt u. Oct 29, 20 afghanistan and pakistan scramble for the favor of al qaeda as the us military presence winds down, afghan leaders are hedging their bets, looking to protect themselves. Al qaedas most dangerous stronghold the daily beast. In 2005, ayman al zawahiri stated that over half the battle is being waged in the media. Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever you find themseize them, besiege them, and be ready to ambush them 9.
Alqaeda also used its camps in sudan to test chemical weapons, which, if developed, were to be provided to the sudanese government to support its fight against rebels in southern sudan. Al qaeda al qaeda training manual inside the terror. Like al qaeda central, aqap opposes the monarchy of the house of saud. In contrast, alqaeda groups have focused more on local populations and local flashpoints. He formed jamaat altawhid waljihad in 1999, and led it until his death in june 2006. But some analysts and government officials say the risk may be overstated. As a veteran of the first war afghan war against the soviets, this book confirms my deepest suspicions about al qaedas intentions in south asia and americas. List of books and articles about taliban online research. Why joe bidens war plan spells the rebirth of al qaeda esquire.
Saleem shahzad provides a detailed account of the growing influence of the arab militants among the pashtuns living in. Al qaeda is becoming less of a presence in afghanistan, says. The taliban emerged as a significant force in afghanistan in 1994 when they were assigned by pakistan to protect a convoy in afghanistan, which marked the. May 15, 2011 the book centers on the entrenchment of al qaeda in the federally administered tribal areas fata of pakistan and the strategies devised by it in the aftermath of 911. While senior al qaeda figures reportedly remain based in pakistan, the network includes a number of affiliates across the middle east and africa including al qaeda in the arabian peninsula aqap, al qaeda in the islamic maghreb aqim, and al shabaab. Afghanistan war, international conflict beginning in 2001 that was triggered by the september 11 attacks. The base, the foundation, alternatively spelled al qaida and al qaida is a transnational extremist salafist militant organization founded in 1988 by osama bin laden, abdullah azzam, and several other arab volunteers during the sovietafghan war.
There is no question that al qaeda has had a presence in afghanistan and continues to have a presence generally assessed at less than 100 or so. But does that constitute an al qaeda presence in the balkans and a terrorist threat. Al qaeda maintains a significant presence in afghanistan despite claims by the obama administration and us military and intelligence services. Nov 17, 2001 the apparent al qaeda presence, particularly in a taliban defence ministry building, suggested that bin ladens organisation and the radical islamic government regime were closely linked. This book introduces and examines the new generation of alqaeda leaders who. Material captured from his mansion showed osama as the still active leader of al qaeda. The troops waging americas 17yearold war in afghanistan are confronting a puzzle. A top al qaeda commander, moroccan karim mejjati, was sent with orders from afghanistan to activate al qaeda cells inside the kingdom. Al qaeda is responsible for many attacks throughout the world with its extensive and effective networks. Oct 16, 2009 trouble is, bidens logic ignores our past successes in iraq, the current state of globalization, the future of afghanistan, and, perhaps reinforcing all three, the haunting presence of al qaeda. Bushs collaborators in the biggest lie in world history that included all the neoconservatives and their republican cohorts. Taliban overruns afghan district where al qaeda ran. This organization is considered as a top threat for the world super power united states of america.
The leadership secrets of osama bin laden the atlantic. The agreement for bringing peace to afghanistan, signed on feb. Mar 01, 2020 qaeda and taliban factions continue to be intertwined in some parts of the country, especially in afghanistans west. Biden afghanistan strategy effect on al qaeda presence. Communications are central to the al qaeda strategy.
House of representatives on afghanistan s terrorism resurgence, concluding that improving afghan governance, not merely beefing up. The taliban, which rose from the ashes of afghanistans postsoviet civil war, provides alqaeda sanctuary for operations. On december 30, 2009, a team of cia operatives gathered at a remote base along the afghanistan pakistan border to meet the first lead in the years in the hunt for al qaeda s senior leaders. Al qaeda afghanistan nautilus institute for security. Alqaedas continuing challenge to the united states lawfare. The book centers on the entrenchment of alqaeda in the federally administered tribal areas fata of pakistan and the strategies devised by it in the aftermath of 911. On april 27, 2017, vanda felbabbrown testified before the u. Buy inside alqaeda and the taliban book online at low prices in. Theres certainly truth to this perspective, but its also misleading. Al qaeda is an international terrorist organization, which was formed in august 1988. Alqaedas declaration of war against americans praise be to allah, who revealed the book koran, controls the clouds, defeats factionalism, and says in his book.