Since al Qaeda’s vision is fundamentally about transforming other Muslims and Islam, much of the group’s identity is based on seeing themselves as people who are renewing the religion. How precisely they would act to transform the religion led to two separate views of their role: before 9/11, the leadership of the group talked about themselves as a vanguard, as a group that was going to charge ahead and others would follow. They would show other Muslims what Islam should be and the community would imitate them. But since 9/11, the leadership of al Qaeda has changed the way they talk about themselves. They are no longer depending on others to follow them. Rather, they are going to command others, to order people to do what they want and to have forces on the ground that they call branches who will do their bidding and act as their hands and feet out in the world.
[…]
Al Qaeda’s assumptions about the current war are also quite telling. The organization believes that this is an existential fight, not a limited conflict or a war of choice. They believe the war is about the very existence of Islam and they have made strenuous efforts to convince ordinary Muslims that the U.S. is waging a war on Islam. In this total war there can be no bystanders–“you are either with us or against us”–and any means are justified. This view of the war can be contrasted with the opinion of our government that this is indeed a limited conflict: one where we have the choice to engage or to disengage; to stay in Afghanistan or to withdraw and end that war; to arm rebels in Syria or to refrain from doing so; and choosing to withdraw will not harm our national security.
It’s long, so grab a coffee.
Al-Q is a made up fabrication to shield Islam and Muslims from suspicion and blame. There is no Al-Q that is “outside” of mainstream Islam, it is mainstream Islam. America is owned by oil ticks and is not to be trusted on anything dealing with Islam.
How in the world is America supposed to continue on in Afghanistan? What possible benefit could come of staying in Afghanistan?
Because of the north border. Same as the eastern border of Iraq.
Why do you ask bad questions? Are you geographically challenged?
It IS an existential war. Not a war against the existence of Mohademmanism, but a multifaceted war against the existence of Western Christendom. We are not winning.
The only cure for AQ is extermination.
Appease at your own peril.
Please don’t screw up the Opium/Heroin drug triangle,
we spent billions on the trade routes.
Because of the north border.
…what?
An absolutely superb link Kate. Thanks. There is so much hyperbole out there, but it is nice to see something so extremely well thought out for a change. Excellent article.
You nail it.
you taking over were LAS stopped???
there are many different variations of muslim extremists groups, one that even tried to assassinate Usama when he was still in Sudan. They felt that Usama was too moderate.