osama bin laden | al-qaeda | center of gravity | crime & terror | other

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see also psychology of terrorism

see also terrorist use of the internet
at the Cyberspace and Information Operations Study Center

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• Osama bin Laden ___[return to top]
  • Know Thy Enemy: Profiles of Adversary Leaders and Their Strategic Cultures, Schneider and Post, Editors, USAF Counterproliferation Center (CPC) - includes chapters on al-Qaeda and other radical Islamists
    • Chapter 2 - Killing In The Name Of God: Osama Bin Laden And Al Qaeda, by Post
    • Chapter 3 - The Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Radicalism, by Servold

  • The Operational Code of the Jihadists (local copy), by Jenkins, Apr 2004 RAND briefing to Army Science Board (PDF)

  • Osama bin Laden - 'Null and void', UPI June 2001, "Any fatwa (Islamic holy decree) issued by Osama Bin Laden, America's most wanted alleged terrorist, declaring "jihad," or holy war, against the United States and ordering Muslims to kill Americans is "null and void," according to Taliban's supreme leader. "

    "Bin Laden is not entitled to issue fatwas as he did not complete the mandatory 12 years of Koranic studies to qualify for the position of mufti," said Mullah Mohammad Omar Akhund, known to every Afghan as amir-ul-mumineen (supreme leader of the faithful).

  • FBI Ten Most Wanted - Usama bin Laden

  • Hunting bin Laden, PBS special

  • "Bin Laden: Architect of New Global Terrorism," 16 Sep 2001, Washington Post - Evolving Movement Combines Old Theology and Modern Technology in Mission Without Borders -- good summary of points related to WTC bombing and other efforts
  • WMD Terrorism and Usama bin Laden, Center for Nonproliferation Studies

  • Summary/Review of Reports Concerning Threats by Osama Bin Laden to Conduct Terrorist Operations Against the United States and/or her Allies - 23 Feb 98 to 16 Jun 98 (includes original February "fatwa")

  • Al-Qa'ida, as detailed by the Encyclopedia of the Orient
  • al-Qa'ida (The Base)
    Maktab al-Khidamat (MAK - Services Office)
    International Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders
    Usama Ibn Ladin / Osama bin Laden, from FAS site

  • The Education of a Holy Warrior, addressing the Haqqania madrasa

• Al-Qaeda ___[return to top]
  • See also Congressional Research Service reports on al-Qaeda

  • See also terrorist use of the internet at Cyberspace & Information Operations Study Center

  • Al-Qaeda: The Many Faces of an Islamist Extremist Threat (local copy), Report of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, June 2006

  • al-Qaeda communications
    • 9 Jul 2005 Letter from al-Zawahiri to al-Zarqawi (local copy) - as released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence

    • February 2004 translation of terrorist Musab al Zarqawi letter (local copy) - as posted by the State Department

    • DoJ posted copy of Al Qaeda training manual (local copy)

    • The Management of Savagery: The Most Critical Stage Through Which the Umma Will Pass, by Abu Bakr Naji, translated by William McCants - "Translation of Major al-Qaeda Book that Outlines Its Plan for Defeating U.S. and Its Allies"
      • The Olin Institute, in collaboration with West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center, is making this translation available online for free. Writing as a high-level insider, Naji explains how al-Qaeda plans to defeat the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East, establish sanctuaries for Jihadis, correct organizational problems, and create better propaganda. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the strategic thinking of al-Qaeda’s leadership and the future of the jihadi movement.

    • Harmony and Disharmony: Exploiting Al-Qa'ida's Organizational Vulnerabilities, 2006 report from the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point - includes full text in Arabic and English translation of declassified captured documents used to develop the report - items such as al-Qaida's by-laws

  • Global Network Terrorism: - I. Sacred Values and Radicalization, II. Comparative Anatomy and Evolution (local copy), by Scott Atran, National Security Council briefing, White House, 28 Apr 2006
    -- see also other terrorism materials by Atran

  • Stealing Al-Qa’ida’s Playbook (local copy), by Brachman and McCants, Combating Terrorism Center, West Point, Feb 2006

  • Al-Qaeda's Media Strategies, by Lynch, in The National Interest, Spring 2006

  • Combating Al Qaeda and the Militant Islamic Threat (local copy), by Hoffman, testimony to Congress, 16 Feb 06 - includes suggested steps for global counterinsurgency (GCOIN) effort

  • Al Qaeda in Iraq: Demobilizing the Threat (local copy), by Kraner, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Dec 2005

  • Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia: Asymmetric Threats and Islamist Extremists , by Cordesman and Obaid, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Jan 2005

  • Osama's Wake: the Second Generation of al Qaeda - by Ward, Future Warfare Series No. 32, USAF Counterproliferation Center

  • Al-Qaida: Terrorist Selection and Recruitment, by Daly and Gerwehr, RAND reprint of Chapter 5 of the McGraw-Hill Homeland Security Handbook, Oct 2005

  • Waging the “War of Ideas”, by Rosenau, RAND reprint of Chapter 72 of the McGraw-Hill Homeland Security Handbook, Oct 2005

  • Al Qaeda as Insurgency (local copy), by Morris, in Joint Force Quarterly, Oct 2005

  • Combating a Modern Hydra: Al Qaeda and the Global War on Terrorism (local copy), by Kalic, Global War on Terrorism Occasional Paper 8, Combat Studies Institute, 2005

  • The Origins of al Qaeda’s Ideology: Implications for US Strategy, by Henzel, in Parameters, Spring 2005

  • The Operational Code of the Jihadists (local copy), by Jenkins, Apr 2004 RAND briefing to Army Science Board (PDF)

  • Al-Qaeda: the Threat to the United States and Its Allies (local copy), Congressional hearing, April 1, 2004

  • The Global Salafi Jihad (local copy), testimony by Sageman, to the 9-11 Commission, 9 July 2003

  • Observing al Qaeda through the Lens of Complexity Theory: Recommendations for the National Strategy to Defeat Terrorism (local copy), by Beech, Army War College, July 2004

  • Complex Targeting: a Complexity-Based Theory of Targeting and Its Application to Radical Islamic Terrorism, SAAS paper by Glenn

  • Transnational Terrorism and the al Qaeda Model: Confronting New Realities, by Smith, in Parameters, Summer 2002

  • Know Thy Enemy: Profiles of Adversary Leaders and Their Strategic Cultures, Schneider and Post, Editors, USAF Counterproliferation Center (CPC) - includes chapters on al-Qaeda and other radical Islamists
    • Chapter 2 - Killing In The Name Of God: Osama Bin Laden And Al Qaeda, by Post
    • Chapter 3 - The Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Radicalism, by Servold

  • Al-Qaida and the Global Reach of Terrorism (local copy), Oct 2001 Congressional hearing

  • Al-Qaida in Action and Learning: A Systems Approach by Chuck Lutes, Doctoral Fellow, George Washington University
    "This paper examines al-Qaida as a learning organization and its ability to survive and conduct further terrorist acts despite a sustained global campaign by the United States."

    "In this paper, three models are used to describe the al-Qaida system. The first, a traditional military approach, treats the organization through a static lens. In the second, Parsons’ general theory of action is used to describe the multiple actions of the various cells and individuals that make-up the al-Qaida network. Finally, Parsons’ action frame of reference is further refined using the Organizational Learning Systems Model (OLSM) to describe al-Qaida’s ability to learn and adapt. The aim of this paper is to provide recommendations for denying al-Qaida’s ability to carry out further action and for inhibiting al-Qaida’s learning processes to ensure it cannot adapt to actions against it."

    [NOTE: The above paper is posted here for educational purposes, with the permission of the author. All content is solely the responsibility of the author and does not reflect any endorsement or validation by the U.S. Air Force, DoD, or any U.S. government agency.]

  • Most Wanted Terrorist List
  • White House Fact Sheet: The List of Most Wanted Terrorists (local copy)

  • CNS profile of Al-Qaida, including a breakout of membership by nationality and some details of resources of the organization

  • Bin Laden's Network: Terror Conspiracy or Loose Alliance?, Washington Post article examining complexity of the connecting links, listing the indictees

  • Records search by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 26 Sep 01, looking for assets of 27 individuals and groups connected with 9-11-01 attack -- listing the individuals and groups

  • Hijacker names and photos released

  • Muhammad Atef, "Muhammad Atef is alleged to be Usama Bin Laden's second in command of the terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda"

  • Ayman Al-Zawahiri, "Ayman Al Zawahiri is a physician and the founder of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad. This organization opposes the secular Egyptian Government and seeks its overthrow through violent means. Al Zawahiri is believed to now serve as an advisor and doctor to Usama Bin Laden and is currently thought to be in Afghanistan."

    From Jane's -- "The Saudi renegade's reputed deputy, Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri, a lifelong Egyptian radical who many believe is the real brains behind the loose-knit network of Islamic militants, is also a prime suspect. It may be that the USA would find it prudent to go after al-Zawahiri first if it wants to eliminate the enemy it has identified. Indeed, the genesis of what the USA thinks it is coming to grips with may well lie more in Egypt than in Saudi Arabia." -- Full article from Jane's.

  • FBI list of most wanted terrorists, with photos of the fugitives -- click on each photo to view details on that individual

  • Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders, World Islamic Front Statement, 23 Feb 98

  • Al-Qa'ida, as detailed by the Encyclopedia of the Orient
  • al-Qa'ida (The Base)
    Maktab al-Khidamat (MAK - Services Office)
    International Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders
    Usama Ibn Ladin / Osama bin Laden, from FAS site

• Center of Gravity ___[return to top]
  • Center of Gravity and Asymmetric Conflict: Factoring In Culture (local copy), by Jandora, in Joint Force Quarterly, Oct 2005

  • The Global War on Terror: Mistaking Ideology as the Center of Gravity (local copy), by Smart, Center for Strategic Leadership issue paper, U.S. Army War College, July 2005

  • Modeling Transnational Terrorists' Center of Gravity: an Elements of Influence Approach, by Hetherington, AFIT, Mar 2005

  • Center of Gravity Determination and Implications for the War against Radical Islamic Terrorism (local copy), by Keppler, U.S. Army War College paper, Mar 2005

  • Al-Qaeda: Center of Gravity and Decisive Points (local copy), by Schweitzer, U.S. Army War College paper, Apr 2003

• Convergence of Crime and Terror ___[return to top]
  • See also financing of terror

  • Narco-Terrorism - resources posted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

  • Narco-Terrorism bibliography, Air University Library

  • Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang of terrorists in America and elsewhere, from GOV/MIL web sites
  • Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang of terrorists in America and elsewhere, from full world wide web

  • Methods and Motives: Exploring Links between Transnational Organized Crime & International Terrorism (local copy), Department of Justice report, June 2005 - excellent bibliography, and includes case studies of following regions
    • Tri-Border Area of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina
    • Black Sea region
    • Chechnya

  • South America's Terror Connection, CBS Evening News, 7 Mar 2006
  • A Place Where Crime Does Pay, CBS Evening News, 6 Mar 2006
    • Sources in the State Department tell CBS News that, at one point, there were seven terrorist training camps in the Tri-border region, and they have no doubt the area is still a safe haven for terrorists.

  • Crimes Committed by Terrorist Groups: Theory, Research and Prevention (local copy), by Hamm, project funded by DoJ, Sep 2005

  • When Wars Collide: The War on Drugs and the Global War on Terror, by Taylor, in Strategic Insights, June 2005

  • Al Qaeda Finances and Funding to Affiliated Groups, by Comras, in Strategic Insights, Jan 2005

  • Military Review
    • Terrorist Threat in the Tri-Border Area: Myth or Reality? (local copy), by Abbott, in Military Review, Sep-Oct 2004
    • In Colombia—A Terrorist Sanctuary? (local copy), by Demerest, in Military Review, Mar-Apr, 2002
    • Paraguay's Ciudad del Este and the New Centers of Gravity (local copy), by Mendel, in Military Review, Mar-Apr, 2002

  • The Homeland Security Papers: Stemming the Tide of Terror, Ritz, Hensley, and Whitmire, Editors, USAF Counterproliferation Center (CPC)
    • Chapter 3 - The Colombian War and the Narco-Terrorist Threat, by Teicher

  • Toward a Drugs and Crime Research Agenda for the 21st Century (local copy), Sep 2003 National Institute of Justice report, Dept of Justice

  • Paraguay Tri-Border Area Is Terror Haven, by Gray, Associated Press, 3 Oct 2004

  • Library of Congress Terrorism and Crime Studies
    • Inventory and Assessment of Databases Relevant for Social Science Research on Terrorism (local copy), Library of Congress research, Nov 2003

    • Nations Hospitable to Organized Crime and Terrorism (local copy), Library of Congress research, Oct 2003

    • Organized Crime and Terrorist Activity in Mexico, 1999-2002 (local copy), Library of Congress research, Oct 2003

    • Terrorist and Organized Crime Groups in the Tri-Border Area (TBA) of South America (local copy), Library of Congress research, July 2003

    • Asian Organized Crime and Terrorist Activity in Canada, 1999-2002 (local copy), Library of Congress research, July 2003

    • The Nexus among Terrorists, Narcotics Traffickers, Weapons Proliferators, and Organized Crime Networks in Western Europe (local copy), study by Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, Dec 2002

    • Involvement of Russian Organized Crime Syndicates, Criminal Elements in the Russian Military, and Regional Terrorist Groups in Narcotics Trafficking in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Chechnya (local copy), Library of Congress research, Oct 2002

    • Annotated Bibliography: How Narcotics Trafficking Organizations Operate as Businesses (local copy), Library of Congress research, Sep 2002

    • A Global Overview of Narcotics-Funded Terrorist and Other Extremist Groups (local copy), Library of Congress research, May 2002

  • The Nexus of Organized International Criminals and Terrorism, by Shelley, American University

  • "The Threat Posed by the Convergence of Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking, and Terrorism" (local copy) - Oversight hearing of the Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives, 13 Dec 2000

  • Narco-Terrorism: International Drug Trafficking and Terrorism - a Dangerous Mix (local copy), Congressional hearing, 20 May 2003

  • Narco-Terror: the Worldwide Connection between Drugs and Terrorism (local copy), Congressional hearing, 13 Mar 2002

• Other ___[return to top]
  • See also Osama bin Laden above, and al-Qaeda

  • See also radical fundamentalists

  • See also Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), report compiled by the State Department
    Foreign Terrorist Organizations are foreign organizations that are designated by the Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended. FTO designations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective means of curtailing support for terrorist activities and pressuring groups to get out of the terrorism business.

  • The New Totalitarians: Social Identities and Radical Islamist Political Grand Strategy (local copy), by MacDonald, Jan 2007, Strategic Studies Institute

  • RAND
    • Beyond al-Qaeda, Part 1, The Global Jihadist Movement, by Rabasa et al, RAND report, 2006
    • Beyond al-Qaeda, Part 2, The Outer Rings of the Terrorist Universe, by Rabasa et al, RAND report, 2006

  • Global Network Terrorism: - I. Sacred Values and Radicalization, II. Comparative Anatomy and Evolution (local copy), by Scott Atran, National Security Council briefing, White House, 28 Apr 2006
    -- see also other terrorism materials by Atran

  • A Hundred Osamas: Islamist Threats and the Future of Counterinsurgency (local copy), by Zuhur, Dec 2005, Strategic Studies Institute

  • The New Age of Terrorism, by Jenkins, RAND reprint of Chapter 8 of the McGraw-Hill Homeland Security Handbook, Oct 2005

  • Book review by Pinkley of Understanding Terror Networks, book by Sageman, in Studies in Intelligence, vol. 49, no. 2, 2005
    • It is neither a definitive social analysis of Islamist terrorist networks, nor a conclusive characterization of the psychology of terrorist members.
    • Although Sageman errs in concluding that Islamist fundamentalists do not have a deliberate recruitment strategy, he succeeds in applying his knowledge of network theory in practical terms to how Salafi terror networks probably function.
    • Sageman provides food for thought in his concluding section, which offers well-considered tips on how to prosecute the war. For example, his suggestion that researchers and analysts should focus on the friends and relatives of an identified terrorist, especially those he associated with just before joining, makes excellent sense.

  • A Military Guide to Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century (local copy), from U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
    • including sections on nature of terror, terrorist behaviors and motivations, terrorist group organization, and terrorist planning

  • A Clash of Systems: An Analytical Framework to Demystify the Radical Islamist Threat, by Harvey et al, in Parameters, Autumn 2005

  • Islamic Extremism in Europe (Local Copy), by Peter Bergen, testimony before the subcommittee of the House Committee on International Relations, 27 Apr 2005
    • Future terrorist attacks that will be damaging to American national security are therefore likely to have a European connection. Citizens of the European Union who adopt al Qaeda’s ideology can both move around Europe easily and also have easy entrée into the United States because of the Visa Waiver Program that exists with European countries.

  • Islamic Extremism in Europe: Beyond al-Qaeda: Hamas and Hezbollah in Europe - testimony of Matthew A. Levitt (Local Copy) before the subcommittee of the House Committee on International Relations, 27 Apr 2005

  • Country Reports on Terrorism, annual report by the State Department - as of 2004, replaced Patterns of Global Terrorism report
  • Patterns of Global Terrorism, annual report by the State Department

  • Michael Vlahos, former director of the Security Studies Program at the JHU School of Advanced International Studies and former director of the State Department’s Center for the Study of Foreign Affairs
    • Culture's Mask: War & Change after Iraq, by Vlahos
    • Terror's Mask: Insurgency within Islam, by Vlahos
    • Two Enemies: Non-state actors and change in the Muslim World, by Vlahos

  • The Origins of the New Terrorism, by Morgan, in Parameters, Spring 2004

  • The Lethal Triad: Understanding the Nature of Isolated Extremist Groups (Local Copy), by Gilmartin, in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Sep 1996 - includes negotiation strategies

  • The War Next Time: Countering Rogue States and Terrorists Armed with Chemical and Biological Weapons, Schneider and Davis, Editors, USAF Counterproliferation Center (CPC)
    • Chapter 2 - The Long War of the 21st Century, by Woolsey - "Who is the enemy? There are at least three movements, all coming out of the Middle East, who have been at war with us for years."

  • Know Thy Enemy: Profiles of Adversary Leaders and Their Strategic Cultures, Schneider and Post, Editors, USAF Counterproliferation Center (CPC) - includes chapters on al-Qaeda and other radical Islamists
    • Chapter 2 - Killing In The Name Of God: Osama Bin Laden And Al Qaeda, by Post
    • Chapter 3 - The Muslim Brotherhood and Islamic Radicalism, by Servold

  • Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimeen: The Muslim Brotherhood (local copy), by Aboul-Enein, in Military Review, July-Aug 2003
    "Without closely examining Al-Ikhwan al-Muslimeen (the Muslim Brotherhood) founded in Egypt in 1928, it is impossible to try to understand modern Islamic radicalism."

  • Most Wanted Terrorist List
  • White House Fact Sheet: The List of Most Wanted Terrorists (local copy)

  • A Global Terror Group Primer (local copy), 14 Feb 2002, American Forces Information Service

  • Foreign Terrorist Organizations (local copy), CRS Report for Congress
  • Terrorism: Near Eastern Groups and State Sponsors, 2002 (local copy), CRS Report for Congress
  • Terrorism: Near Eastern Groups and State Sponsors, 2001 (local copy), CRS Report for Congress

  • Terrorist and Insurgent Organizations, bibliography, Air University Library
  • Liberation Movements, Terrorist Organizations, Substance Cartels, and Other Para-State Entities , list from FAS
  • Terrorism, Anarchy, and Hate Groups on the Web

  • Rogue Leader Profiles, briefing by Dr Jerrold Post at CPC November 2000 Conference -- includes psychology of the various terrorist groups and which type groups are likely to use which modes of attack

  • Rational Fanatics, in Foreign Policy -- "What makes suicide bombers tick? While most of the world sees them as lone zealots, they are, in fact, pawns of large terrorist networks that wage calculated psychological warfare. Contrary to popular belief, suicide bombers can be stopped-but only if governments pay more attention to their methods and motivations."

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