Ebook: The Secret History of al Qaeda

Over the last ten years, journalist and al-Qa'ida expert Abdel Bari Atwan has cultivated uniquely well-placed sources and amassed a wealth of information about al-Qa'ida's origins, masterminds and plans for the future. Atwan reveals how al-Qa'ida's radical departure from the classic terrorist/guerrilla blueprint has enabled it to outpace less adaptable efforts to neutralize it. The fanaticism of its fighters, and their willingness to kill and be killed, are matched by the leadership's opportunistic recruitment strategies and sophisticated understanding of psychology, media, and new technology.;Cover; Title; Contents; Acknowledgments; Preface; Introduction: Inside the Lair: With bin Laden at Tora Bora; 1. Osama bin Laden; 2. Holy Warrior; 3. Human Bombs and the Concept of Martyrdom; 4. Cyber-Jihad; 5. Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia; 6. Al Qaeda in Iraq; 7. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb; 8. Al Qaeda in Europe; 9. The Future of al Qaeda; Notes; Bibliography; Index; Copyright.