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Insurgent design: the re-emergence of al-Qa'ida from 9/11 to the present

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Author
Russo, Joshua A.
Date
2015-12
Advisor
Robinson, Glenn E.
Roberts, Nancy C.
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Abstract
Analysts disagree on how to characterize al-Qa’ida’s evolution. One perspective regards jihadi-Islamism in general to be self-marginalizing. A second perspective describes the merging of discrete jihadist grand strategies that is considered symptomatic of the decline of al-Qa’ida and its allies. A third finds that al-Qa’ida is gathering strength. This study expands upon the gathering strength perspective, contending that al-Qa’ida’s successes are derived from its design orientation and competence. Al-Qa’ida agents have vigorously redesigned their transnational system to adapt to a profoundly hostile and unpredictable environment. For al-Qa’ida and its brethren, the highest rate of adaptation is occurring on the battlefield, as they experiment with varied technologies of warfare, rather than in debate over grand strategic ideas. Where before there were fleeting, desultory actions by terroristic cells, now maturing organizations vie for territorial control, establishing jihadi emirates and proto-states. To respond effectively to the situation, Western understanding of al-Qa’ida and the wider system of jihadi-Islamist insurgency must evolve apace.
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/10945/47859
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  • 1. Thesis and Dissertation Collection, all items

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