His book becomes the intellectual foundation for alqaeda s murderous campaign 1996 bin laden returns to afghanistan, where he forms a close relationship with the leader of the new taliban. Al qaeda was also responsible for the 2,000 strike against the u. My life inside al qaeda and the cia it is about islam. The highly intelligent zawahiri is a former surgeon and a lifelong jihadist.
Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. It is led and financed by osama bin laden, a radical sunni muslim. Safe havens and bases are sprouting up north and south of israel like never before in the history of the global jihad, fulfilling the dreams of osama bin laden and ayman alzawahri. Al qaeda is now the most overused and misunderstood term in the media. But in the decade following 911, you switched your focus to alqaeda why was. Osama bin laden and the al qaeda terrorist network have conducted a sophisticated public relations and media campaign over the last ten years using a series of faxed statements, audio recordings, video appearances, and internet postings. Alqaeda, broadbased militant islamist organization founded by osama bin laden in the late 1980s. Cole in yemen, which left 17 american sailors dead.
The secret history of al qaeda, updated edition by abdel. Alqaeda and the road to 911 by lawrence wright, the panther by nelson demille, the black banners. Jul 12, 2008 his book becomes the intellectual foundation for alqaedas murderous campaign 1996 bin laden returns to afghanistan, where he forms a close relationship with the leader of the new taliban. Al qaeda is an international terrorist organization, which was formed in august 1988.
The book was a new york times bestseller and won a number of. Not one criticism of middle east regimes unless it is in the context of u. But as head of the bin laden unit, which was set up before the 1998 east african embassy bombings, the crucial thing about this first book is that he viewed alqaeda in a different way. Apr 29, 2015 yet even in its early days the group bickered with the al qaeda leadership. 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. The rather silly cover of his book on the subject belies what is in fact a thorough, erudite, dispassionate and compelling account of the rise of radical islam, of which al qaeda in its strict sense is really only a small part. Alqaeda has rebuilt itselfwith irans help the atlantic. Writing history is a matter of placing points in time as bookends or markers for significant events that have occurred around the world.
The author examines the current state of the terrorist network and describes what groups in the network are doing to recruit, plan, and carry out attacks worldwide. The secret history of al qaeda s most powerful ally recounts the rise, fall, and resurgence of this overlooked terrorist organization and provides an intimate understanding of its connections with al qaeda. The teaching of the reformers has been heterodox and revolutionary from the beginning. Burke has spent a number of years in various islamic hot spots saudi, afghanistan. It may have only a few thousand members, but seems to have many supporters and sympathizers, some of whom may be. Peter bergen, author of the bestselling book holy war, inc. It is a stateless meaning without a country terrorist organization. The tenyear search for bin ladenfrom 911 to abbottabad. Al qaeda has evolved into a significantly different terrorist organisation than the one that perpetrated the september 11 2001 attacks.
The al qaeda network today also comprises semiautonomous or self radicalized actors, who often have only peripheral or ephemeral ties to either the core cadre in pakistan or affiliated groups elsewhere. Holy war, inc inside the secret world of osama bin laden. The longest war the enduring conflict between america and al qaeda. The osama bin laden i know is an unprecedented oral history of osama bin ladens rise to revered leader of al qaeda. An end to al qaeda grounds the reader within a background of how the muslim people globally have greatly changed subsequent to the september 11 attacks. Several years have passed, al qaeda is on decline in contradiction to the authors prediction. Al qaeda responded to the presence of united states armed forces in the gulf and the arrest, conviction and imprisonment in the united states of persons belonging to al qaeda by issuing fatwahs indicating that attacks against u. This book focuses on the history of al qaeda, the actions and.
The true roots of osama bin ladens al qaeda network stem from the decadelong conflict that plagued afghanistan from 19791989. An oral history of al qaedas leader peter bergen on. You are planning to update your book talking to terrorists because of bin ladens death. Before september 11, 2001, many americans knew little of al qaeda or its founder, osama bin laden. This book is very good, i found it extremely entertaining. Atwans outspoken londonbased newspaper al quds al arabi, of which he is editorinchief, has been the vehicle of choice for the release of many al qaeda electronic communiqus. Which books should i read to understand the history of al.
The secret history of al qaeda, updated edition abdel bari atwan on amazon. 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. Al qaeda s leading thinkers are steeped in these reformerslong struggle against the establishment. True to its name, syed saleem shahzads inside al qaeda and the taliban goes beyond the common misperception of al qaeda as a static organization serving the whims of osama bin laden. Brutal attacks on fellow muslims have tarnished its reputation, its leadership is under siege from the air drone strikes and the ground special operations forces, and the core organization no longer has a safe haven. Isis has since been disavowed by al qaeda, but has become one of the main jihadist groups fighting government forces in iraq and syria. To help situate the book and justify its focus, the introduction also poses a number of important questions, such as what is al qaeda, why study the bbcs news at tens. Nov 19, 2014 fallujah redux takes readers through their assessment of the area and the important events in anbar that reverberated all the way back to the white house. During the 1980s a large number of muslims moved from middle eastern countries to afghanistan to unite with the afghan people in an ongoing war which began in 1979.
What to read on bin laden and al qaeda foreign affairs. We must first look at ourselves before casting blame on others. About isis, al qaeda, iran, and the caliphate spycraft. The first half of the book is very enjoyable, with the author creating a narrative regarding terrorism and the evolution of it. Since 911, al qaeda has suffered a confusing mix of setbacks and advances.
Jan 31, 2014 alqaedas affiliates and alqaedism the idea are gradually, inexorably, surrounding israel. Atwans outspoken londonbased newspaper al quds al arabi, of which he is editorinchief, has been the vehicle of choice for the release of many al qaeda electronic communiques. But important new evidence, including interviews with senior al qaeda members and osama bin ladens family, gathered by the authors over the past five years, tells a surprising history. Dec 16, 2019 the author of the book, lawrence wright, is a famous writer and for his work, al qaeda the road to 911 won him a pulitzer prize for general nonfiction.
Yet within five years he had built an organisation that was to carry out the most shocking and devastating terrorist attack in history. See more ideas about al qaeda, this or that questions and palestine history. Al qaedas leading thinkers are steeped in these reformerslong struggle against the establishment. Al qaeda background al qaeda inside the terror network. This authoritative work provides an essential perspective on terrorism by offering a rare opportunity for analysis and reflection at a time of ongoing violence. The author examines the current state of the terrorist network and describes what groups in the network are doing to recruit. Soviet war in afghanistan and the beginnings of al qaeda the true roots of osama bin ladens al qaeda network stem from the decadelong conflict that plagued. The secret history of the cias spytechs from communism to al qaeda, talked about the. The secret history of al qaeda reveals events in iraq and saudi arabia as watershed moments in the organizations evolution that are making it more dangerous by the day. The book describes how the september 11 attacks changed the traditional muslim community around the globe. Apr 28, 2020 osama bin laden, founder of the militant islamist organization al qaeda and mastermind of numerous terrorist attacks against the united states and other western powers, including the september 11, 2001, attacks on the world trade center in new york city and the pentagon near washington, d.
Osama bin laden offers a detailed biography of the saudi terrorist. Al qaeda was headquartered in the sudan from approximately 1991 until approximately 1996 but still maintained offices in various parts of the world. Reviewing that history helps us understand both why al qaeda is so troubled and why it may remain a force to be reckoned with. According to nance, al qaeda is attempting to capitalize on decreasing united states influence within the region, and utilize information technology to spread its message. Drawing on frontline experience, on secret documents, and on interviews with intelligence officers, militants, mujahideen commanders and bin laden associates, the author reveals the story of almilitants, mujahidden commanders and bin laden associates, the author reveals the story of alqaeda, and demolishes the myths that underpin the war on terror.
The author utilizes facts to support the thesis and does a wonderful job of exploring the roots of terrorism and not being narrowly focused on the current situation of the mideast and the events surrounding sept11. The creation of the group brings together extraordinary saudi wealth, the expertise of a lifetime egyptian militant, and a philosophical foundation for jihad from a cairo intellectual. Al qaeda, broadbased militant islamist organization founded by osama bin laden in the late 1980s. Most shed light on our understanding of how al qaeda emerged as a potent threat to regimes. Alqaeda has been described as many different things, and it includes a federation of different islamist groups, all dedicated to mayhem against the west, christians, jews and muslim regimes that do not conform to its ideas. Osama bin laden biography, alqaeda, terrorist attacks. When i read this book i thought it was a really, really important book, because it challenges many of the myths and. A short history how the franchise operations of the worlds most infamous terrorist organization became more potent than the mothership. It was led and financed by osama bin laden, a radical sunni muslim. The best books on alqaeda five books expert recommendations.
The author of the book, lawrence wright, is a famous writer and for his work, al qaeda the road to 911 won him a pulitzer prize for general nonfiction. History of alqaeda and terrorism against the usa 2. 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. But the roots of the militant islamist network, whose name is arabic for the base, date back to the late 1970s and the soviet unions invasion of afghanistan. It seeks to rid muslim countries of what it sees as the profane influence of. Sep 11, 2019 on september 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the islamic extremist group al qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the united states. Wright examines the origins of the militant organization alqaeda, the background for various terrorist attacks and how they were investigated, and the events that led to the september 11 attacks.
It began as a logistical network to support muslims fighting against the soviet union during the afghan war and transformed into the active terrorist organization. Osama bin laden, head of al qaeda, is killed when cia paramilitaries and a navy seal team attack his compound in abbottabad, pakistan. Al qaeda planned and carried out the september 11, 2001 attacks of the world trade center towers in new york city and the pentagon in washington, d. 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. Peter bergen takes the reader onto the battlefields of afghanistan as bin laden goes from a shy, quiet teen to a leader. Yemen, alqaeda and americas war in arabia gregory d. Osama bin laden, founder of the militant islamist organization al qaeda and mastermind of numerous terrorist attacks against the united states and other western powers, including the september 11, 2001, attacks on the world trade center in new york city and the pentagon near washington, d. This book explores the history of the somalia based al harakat al shabaab from 2005 to 2012, offering the first indetail history of one of the most important alqaeda affiliates today and the first to conquer large territories. The beginnings of alqaeda go back to the 1980s when the soviet union invaded afghanistan. Psychological and operational techniques, second edition explores the background and history of al qaeda, covers recent developments, and explains how, why, and where the al qaeda network is expanding.
Al qaeda is responsible for many attacks throughout the world with its extensive and effective networks. Facts about the terrorist network and its history of attacks. Psychological and operational techniques, second edition explores the background and history of alqaeda, covers recent developments, and explains how, why, and where the alqaeda network is expanding. The secret history of the cias spytechs from communism to al qaeda agent storm. The saudiborn islamic activist had little equipment, few followers and minimal local support. Al qaeda, arabic for the base, is an international terrorist network founded by osama bin laden in the late 1980s. It began as a logistical network to support muslims fighting against the soviet union during the afghan war and transformed into the active terrorist organization known for carrying out the september 11 attacks of 2001. Exiled by the saudi regime, and later stripped of his citizenship in 1994, bin laden left afghanistan and set up operations in sudan, with the united states in his sights as. Buy this book as the ancestral home of osama bin laden and many high. Osama bin laden is a terrorist extremist who planned the attacks on the world trade center and is intent on driving western influence from the muslim world.
Al qaeda and other terrorist groups, do not adhere to the rules of war, they do not represent any state or government nor or they party to international treaties or conventions. It talks, obviously, mostly about isis, but it does so in a way that incorporates its entire history, including when it. The youngest son of a wealthy yemeniborn businessman, bin laden was trained as a civil engineer grad. Atwans outspoken londonbased newspaper alquds alarabi, of which he is editorinchief, has been the vehicle of choice for the release of many al qaeda electronic communiques. The sunni tribes that rebelled against the al qaeda affiliate then known as the islamic state of iraq did not do so out of any love of the united states. This book focuses on the history of al qaeda, the actions and read more. The book largely focuses on the persons involved in the attack. In the last two years, quite a few books have been published about al qaeda and its leader, osama bin laden. In his book, invisible balance of power, published in 2005, sajjad shaukat has taken present different war as an interaction of state terrorism led by the united states and the group terrorism by the al qaeda or islamic militants. This pissed off al qaeda s hq, because they were already establishing a separate al qaeda in syria aka al nusra front and wanted it to remain separate.
When i read this book i thought it was a really, really important book, because it challenges many of the myths and stereotypes about terrorism in general, and alqaeda and bin laden in particular. The enduring conflict between america and al qaeda. Shahzad describes a changing cast of characters, the high. Destroying bin ladens jihad and restoring americas honor is a nonfiction book about counterterrorism strategies towards al qaeda, written by u. This organization is considered as a top threat for the world super power united states of america. Exposing the truth about isis, al qaeda, iran, and the caliphate the control series the looming tower.
Read download the secret history of al qaeda pdf pdf. It began as a logistical network to support muslims fighting against the soviet union during the afghan war and transformed into the active terrorist organization known for. Alqaida alqaeda background during the 1980s a large number of muslims moved from middle eastern countries to afghanistan to unite with the afghan. Just like me, he was trying to understand the nature of the organisation, the kind of people involved, their background and motivation, and critically why they were doing what they were doing. At one time, he was a highranking official of islamic jihad until he joined with bin laden in the early 1990s. History organization ideology by ben simon this book poses several questions including the following. 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. Alqaeda is a transnational extremist salafist militant organization founded in 1988 by osama. Although 911 was a high point for al qaeda terrorism, it also. In certain parts book managed to draw romanticised parallels between fbi agent oneil and osama to the point that i was confused if this was a history of alqaeda or a cliche nemesis cop vs bad guy b movie script.
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