Combating Al-Qaeda: The Clever Hand of Anti-Terrorism
The Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 22-26, Spring 2005
7 Pages Posted: 4 Dec 2006 Last revised: 16 Mar 2008
Abstract
Accurate and prospective threat analysis requires a critical insight into an enemy's intentions and the manner in which they wage war. Generalisations are dangerous, yet so too is forcing a 'narrow' and ultimately erroneous account of Al-Qaeda's intentions.
Al-Qaeda's methods are complex. They have used sleeper cells - covert operates awaiting orders - in Kenya to establish an operational structure necessary for future surprise attacks. Such fronts included establishing a car business and assisting Wadih El-Hage to cretae the 'Help Africa People' charity in 1994. The Help Africa People chairty conducted legitimate relief work to mask their true identity.
To appease Al-Qaeda is neither wise nor possible, there a better strategy to tackle Al-Qaeda's violence, that ism to 'undermine' rather than attempt to directly 'eliminate' them.
Keywords: Al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Osama Bin Laden, Usama, Counterterrorism, antiterrorism, Söderblom, Soderblom, Jason D. Soderblom, Jason D. Söderblom, World-ICE, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, tactics, strategy
JEL Classification: H56, F35, N40
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation