(PDF) Global Threat: A Comparative Analysis of Al-Qaeda

Essay

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Essay................................................................................................................................................1
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................5
References........................................................................................................................................6

Topic: Where did al-Qaida and ISIS come from and why do western security services still think
they are a threat?
Introduction
al-Qaida is an association of people which has been formed by Osama Bin Laden in the
year 1980 to fight anti-soviet. The efforts of this association are aimed to ensure that soviet
withdraw from Afghanistan with use of power and violence. The jihad project which has been
formed under vision of its leader Osama bin Laden attempted to formed on international level
(Cronin, 2015). On the other hand, ISIS began its operations as the al-Qaida group in the Syria
led by Abu-bakr al-baghdadi. This movement was formed with a purpose to eliminate western
operation in the Syrian region and replace their own Islamist regime in the country.
Essay
Both these organisation formed their operation to overcome the influence and atrocities
which has been exercised by western organisation particularly United States of America. The
primary goal of these organisation is to drive out of United States operations out of the Saudi
Arabia through issuing of 'Fatwahs'. These are referred to ruling of the Islamic Law which stated
undertaking violent ways are necessary and proper. The roots of ISIS can be traced back to the
2004 when al-Qaida ventured in Iraq to carry out its operations. The expansion into this country
has been lead by Abu Musab al- Zarqawi so that western dictatorship and occupation can be
eliminated with the use of power and force. The militant organisation was originally named ISI
and after their further expansion to Syrian region the name altered and formed as ISIS.
The reason being both these organisation is treated as a threat is because of their brutal
reputation which has been formed with jihad being an exclusive source of inspiration. There
were numerous instances in which these organisation have displayed their power and capacity
which is being feared by the western securities (Gartenstein–Ross, 2011). For al-Qaida, the
attack of 1998 on US embassies and 9/11 assured that they possess a reputation on the
international level and being feared across the globe. The attacks lacked a purpose and are
referred to an absolute display of strength and capability of these organisation. Such incidents
helped in providing momentum to jihadi movement which is being marketed by such
organisations. The United States security forces had no other option then to chase al-Qaida and
other similar terrorist organisation. The forces were aiming to demolish their leadership, sources
of finance and traning camps so that they can be handicapped. But such instances had a little
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impact on the jihadist movement led by the al-Qaida. The US forces had a sight of relief when
they were able to terminate prime leader of this organisation Osama Bin Laden and its successor
Ayman al-Zawahiri in an attack.
The Islamic state ventured in Iraq in the year 2003 as the United States have been making
tremendous growth through their invasion. The leader of the Islamic state was responsible for
sending money and resources so that expansion could be carried out. Zarqawi is a person
responsible to carry forward Osama's strategies and vision in the Iraqi region. There were
numerous attempts which are carried out to target U.S. resources and people but in counter strike
he was killed by the air-strike. The follower began acting with brutality through releasing videos
of American citizen being beheaded (Who are Isis? A terror group too extreme even for al-
Qaida, 2014). It was in the year 2013, when they were began calling as ISIS so that they are able
to portray their own wider orientation. The inner conflict within leaders led to a decline in the
strength which was being possessed by this organisation as Zawahiri wished to form a secondary
group with their own leader. This recommendation does not go well with the senior al-Qaida lead
to a conflict. The end of ties amongst Baghdadi and Zawahiri lead to a major clashes amongst the
two in which former emerged as winner. The results of clashes were as such that Baghdadi group
were able to make hold on the Iraq along with its resources in the form of dams and refineries.
This dispute between these two militant organisation emerged as a major threat for the American
security forces as it lead to greater display of power and violent behaviour to emerge as better of
one another.
Now that these organisation have been able to eliminate US forces to a greater extent are
now focusing on the installation of 'true' Islamic government which will be much better from
existing corrupt formation. Another reason for which these organisation can be treated as a major
threat for United States is that, leaders of the respective groups believe that the interference of
this nation have emerged to be root cause of all the problems which are being encountered. The
portrayal of violent and aggressive behaviour towards United States has been identified to be a
manner through which nation could be induced to let go of this territory (Weiss and Hassan,
2016). The implication of withdrawal of the western nation from these region will result in intra-
territorial conflicts leading to a devastating situation. The reason for same is that al-Qeada
consider killing too extreme and a derivation from the jihadi project undertaken by them where
as another party tends to enjoy this violent behaviour depicted through beheading and slaughters.
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There is a great deal of rage in the western nation when it comes to this militant
organisation. The heinous acts which has been carried out by ISIS through beheading of US
journalist James Foley and repeating the same behaviour with Steven Sotloff. This organisation
have been taking responsibility of all the terrorist attacks which have been carried out in the
Middle East region and expanded their activities to the western region as well. The terrorist
attacks in Paris, California, Brussels, Orlando and many more has been carried out by this
organisation solely. However this terrorist organisation has redefined its strategy and focuses on
near energy rather than far enemy which is being practised al-Qaida. The al-Qeada have been
more focused on intervention on the western soviet countries and attempt to eliminate the same
so that jihadi practice could be encouraged (Esposito and Kalin, 2011). Therefore it can be
determined that this organisation is working to counter its near enemy which are “Apostate”
regimes and once sorted with focus on far enemy which are western countries. The efforts are
directed in purifying Islamic community through eliminating Shi'a communities and other
minorities which are present in those region along with removing rule of al-Qaida in the Syria.
While dealing with near enemy this organisation has got hold of banks, oil refineries and
ransoms which helped in becoming one of the richest militant organisation in the world stating
an income of 2 billion for the year 2014. but it has been identified that there is a significant
decline in the revenue which has been availed by this organisation in recent years. U.S.- coalition
have been carrying out numerous attempts in order to defeat this militant organisation through
disposing most powerful non-nuclear bomb which is being possessed by an organisation. United
States formed a strategy to hire Syrian rebels and train them so that ISIS could be fought with in
an ideal manner. Intervention by the United States and other western regions is being perceived
as hostile, therefore being targeted with the terrorist activities more often than other nations.
Keeping aside all the factors, ISIS is going after U.S. Military with all its resources and have
emerged to be a primary target but their presences is confined to peripheral regions. Whereas, al-
Qaida have been using a combination of strategies to fight with U.S. Military.
This militant organisation is known to adopt indirect terrorist activities so that there are
more number of people following the banner being Jihadi. The efforts of this organisation are
again directed into stop Americans from interfering into Muslim world and mind their own
business. The Muslim population is encouraged to participate in the fights against U.S.
Government as their obligation of belonging from an Islamic religion (Warrick, 2015). The
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efforts of this militant organisation are emphasized on building an government that is purely
Islamic and can be embraced by the Muslim population. The approach is decent but the manner
employed in fulfilment of the same is not appropriate as it is trying to build an army and so that
more and more territories could be undertaken. There is a redefinition of purpose for which this
organisation has been formed. The earlier emphasis is to overcome control and intervention
which is being practised by westerns and have shifted to creating a Islamic state in which its laws
and teachings are practised. There is a difference between the manner its heinous acts are being
carried out. Al-Qaida is known to be practice dramatic attacks whereas ISIS believes in pure
violence (Phillips, 2014). The attacks at world trade centre and pentagon are amongst its top
achievement followed by bombings in numerous African nations.
Al-Qaida have been blamed to target westerners for executing their criminal activities but
have shown multi-faceted approach towards them as well. There have been numerous instances
in which journalist have been provided with safe passage so that they can interview leaders and
convey their messages to the whole world. There is a degree of viewership required in order to
popularise their practices or for the promotion of viewers. On the contrary there were numerous
humanitarian workers who charged under conducting un-ethical practices under Islamic law. It
can be identified that for both of these militant organisation the territory of Iraq and Syria stand
very important. Not only for these organisation, United States government also fantasizes those
territories as it will be helpful in fulfilling their own requirement of petroleum and numerous
related resources.
The reason for which U.S. Being threatened from this rise of these organisation because
one day or the other they will come after western nation and may be unstoppable. There is an
addition of the numerous foreign rebels under the banner and a significant amount of them
belongs from western regions. The outcomes of same is that western nations are on a high alert
and are keeping a close eye on the location and bases of such rebels (Gunter, 2015). There
amount of success which has been tasted by the Islamic group stands way higher than al-Qaida.
There stands a very higher chance of ISIS to expand into neighbouring nations such as Saudi
Arabia, Egypt, Yemen and Lebanon. The chances of expansion poses a major threat in creating
instability in the country. The narrow minded approach and their determination of creating a
Islamist state poses an international threat and much bigger than al-Qaida. They have been taking
assistance of the social media and online tactics to promote their wrongdoings. The people have
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been finding these tactics and strategies very appealing and looking to be a part of this militant
organisation. It is very important for US-coalition and other authorities to make use on ongoing
fight between Islamist parties so that their powers and resources diminish. It is crucial for
western organisation to prepare an strategy so that rise of such organisations and happening of
such attacks can be minimised.
Conclusion
It can be concluded from the above report that both these militant parties have been born
with a purpose to stop interference of American and other western nation to exploit resources
along with portraying to spread peace. These organisation have opted for violent and heinous
ways through which they show their power and capability to these organisation and can emerge
as a major threat for the western nations.
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References
Books and Journal
Cronin, A. K., 2015. ISIS is not a terrorist group: why counterterrorism won't stop the latest
jihadist threat. Foreign Aff. 94, p. 87.
Gartenstein–Ross, D., 2011. Bin Laden’s legacy. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Weiss, M. and Hassan, H., 2016.ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror (updated edition). Simon and
Schuster.
Esposito, J. L. and Kalin, I. Eds., 2011. Islamophobia: The challenge of pluralism in the 21st
century. Oxford University Press.
Warrick, J., 2015. Black flags: The rise of ISIS. Anchor.
Gunter, M. M., 2015. Iraq, Syria, ISIS and the Kurds: Geostrategic concerns for the US and
Turkey. Middle East Policy. 22 (1), pp. 102-111.
Phillips, D.L., 2014. ISIS crisis. American Foreign Policy Interests. 36 (6), pp. 351-360.
Online
Who are Isis? A terror group too extreme even for al-Qaida. 2014. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/11/isis-too-extreme-al-qaida-terror-
jihadi>.
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