The Al Qaeda network today is comprised of affiliated groups, franchises and semi-autonomous or self radicalized individuals, who want to carry out attacks against U.S. targets. The core Al Qaeda leadership is thought to be spread around Pakistan.
Al Qaeda now seems to have less centralized command and control, and no clear center of gravity. Al Qaeda franchises or affiliated groups active in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) and Somalia now represent critical power centers in the larger movement. Some affiliates receive guidance, money, training, and weapons.
Al Qaeda in Iraq was one of Al Qaeda’s most powerful and successful affiliates outside Pakistan. In late 2006, however, Sunni tribes in Iraq turned against Al Qaeda in Iraq and helped the U.S. military reduce substantially their activities and influence.
Here are the major Al Qaeda affiliates:
- Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
- Al Qaeda in Iraq
- Taliban in Afghanistan
- Taliban in Pakistan
- Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan
- Jemaah Islamiyain in SE Asia and mostly Indonesia
- Abu Syyaf in the Philippines
There are other Arabic/Palestinian terrorist groups like HizbAllah, al Fatah, Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood who have attacked American targets but most attacks are directed at Israelis.
The most dangerous and most violent is thought to be the Chechen “Wolves.” Remember the Beslan Public School and the Moscow Theater in Russia? Osama bin Laden was known to have 300 Chechens in his 055 Brigade which was smashed in the U.S and U.K. invasion in 2001/02.
Anyone who thinks there is no Global War on Terrorism is not getting out very much.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
You neglected to mention AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb). Formerly known as the GSPC (Global Salafists for Preaching and Combat / Call), they exist and function out of Northern Africa, specifically in Algeria. At one point in 2007 and 2008, they were the most active Al Qaeda element in the world conducting kidnappings and assassinations. Some reports even have them tied to the 17 July, London attacks.