What next for Al-Quaeda?

[Sharp-kun]

There is such a thing as a reasonable reduction of liberties during a period when it is necessary. To do otherwise could give the terrorists more than just a "moral victory". Yes, some may still get through, but it is at least trying.

Can you provide evidence that the US is any safer because the FBI can get my library records?

No, why would I have to? I never related my comment to any specific thing the US has done, I merely pointed out that sometimes civil liberties may have to be violated somewhat, like the UK during WWII.

[0.1]

Dahak,

The European countries indeed do have a tradition with terrorism, they have also direct experience with middle eastern terrorists, formerly aided and abetted by the Soviet Union. However, there is a difference, the nature of operations have become far more transnational, there has not really been an organization that is this global in nature, you might argue the PLO or Abu Nidal organization were global, but really those guys were limited to the Eurasian theater of operation, and even then to a region around the Med.

The groups you pointed out, ETA, IRA, RAF, AD have traditionally operated within a certain country with limited objectives or under political ideology, although support was very forth coming from the Russians. Even the Middle Eastern terrorists that shot up airports in Italy (I think) were operating with fairly well defined objective of removing Israel as an entity. This isn't the goal of Al Qaeda, sure they may have adapted this as a goal, but only a fool would believe that the removal of Israel as an entity would stop Al Qaeda. The objective of Al Qaeda outside of conducting terror operations is not at all clear.

As far as their next target is concerned, they have a target rich environment. The only thing that organization lack is clear focus on a realistically obtainable objective.

[Sharp-kun]

The objective of Al Qaeda outside of conducting terror operations is not at all clear.

I believe it's something like recapture all the old lands (Spain etc), and impose their version of Islam on them. Basically create one big Islamic state.

[HemlockGrey]

But how? I don't get that. They don't have an army; they can't capture or hold territory. If their goal is to recreate the Islamic Empire, why the rampant terrorism? If its not that, what is it?

[Joe]

But how? I don't get that. They don't have an army; they can't capture or hold territory. If their goal is to recreate the Islamic Empire, why the rampant terrorism? If its not that, what is it?

Insanity-inspired wishful thinking, to borrow from The Great Leader.

[Sharp-kun]

But how? I don't get that. They don't have an army; they can't capture or hold territory. If their goal is to recreate the Islamic Empire, why the rampant terrorism? If its not that, what is it?

Thats what I've read somewhere. Assuming its true, then it is likely a long term goal. Even then it's still unrealistic, though given that they're fanatics, it's not surpising. Variations on it are probably common depending on the groups.

[BoredShirtless]

But how? I don't get that. They don't have an army; they can't capture or hold territory. If their goal is to recreate the Islamic Empire, why the rampant terrorism? If its not that, what is it?

This could answer some of your questions: What exactly does al-Qaeda want?

[Dahak]

Well, you can argue that the cost may not be worth it, but civil liberties "going down the drain", WILL likely be a great help in preventing terror attacks.

When we start to change our way of life, reduce the civil liberties, we're giving the terrorists what they want. A moral victory.

So the Nazi's had the moral victory in WWII then?

There is such a thing as a reasonable reduction of liberties during a period when it is necessary. To do otherwise could give the terrorists more than just a "moral victory". Yes, some may still get through, but it is at least trying.

The ideal of islamic terrorists, in the end, is to destroy our way of living and the western culture.
What would be more convenient for them if we actually helped them in changing/destroying our way of life?
The problem with the "War on Terrorism" is, unlike WWII, when does it end? When can we restore those civil liberties?
This "War" has no defined end it can ever acchieve, but politicians certainly won't let go easily those instruments they gained during that "period", as they proved useful.

In the end, terrorism is like a storm. One can just weather through. I don't think this Oh-my-God-we-must-gonna-do-SOMEthing-actionism is helping one bit.

[Stormbringer]

But how? I don't get that. They don't have an army; they can't capture or hold territory. If their goal is to recreate the Islamic Empire, why the rampant terrorism? If its not that, what is it?

Insanity-inspired wishful thinking, to borrow from The Great Leader.

Along with a good deal of despair at a shitty life and the hope that scattering their component bits about with a bunch of tnt will bring them paradise.

[Joe]

But how? I don't get that. They don't have an army; they can't capture or hold territory. If their goal is to recreate the Islamic Empire, why the rampant terrorism? If its not that, what is it?

Insanity-inspired wishful thinking, to borrow from The Great Leader.

Along with a good deal of despair at a shitty life and the hope that scattering their component bits about with a bunch of tnt will bring them paradise.

Actually, some of the worst terrorists aren't poor at all. Mohammad Atta was a fairly well-off Egyptian.

[Stormbringer]

Along with a good deal of despair at a shitty life and the hope that scattering their component bits about with a bunch of tnt will bring them paradise.

Actually, some of the worst terrorists aren't poor at all. Mohammad Atta was a fairly well-off Egyptian.

Not all of them are. However a lot of them, at least the grunts, are recruited from the poor and brainwashed demographic.

[Durandal]

Has Al-Quaeda grown stronger or weaker after two and a half years of the so-called "War on Terror?" Did the invasion of Iraq hurt them or help them? What effect will the bombing of the Spanish train and the subsequent election of an anti-war socialist government have on their long-term prospects? Will they hit another big target? A cruise ship perhaps?

Just curious what anyone else thinks. Personally, I think they're getting stronger and that they will successfully hit another big target in a year or two. I don't think it's possible to shut down a movement like that as if it were a conventional enemy.

What do you mean? Now that we've deposed Hussein, I feel completely safe and protected against terrorist attacks.

[Sarevok]

The loss of Afganistan as a terrorist base did hurt Al-Queda badly. Now they no longer have a place where they can openly operate freely.

However global support for Al-Queda has increased. The war on terror is perceived by many muslims as a war against Islam. Many musliims therefore have become new recruits for Al-Queda.

[Crown]

The loss of Afganistan as a terrorist base did hurt Al-Queda badly. Now they no longer have a place where they can openly operate freely.

However global support for Al-Queda has increased. The war on terror is perceived by many muslims as a war against Islam. Many musliims therefore have become new recruits for Al-Queda.

I think I can agree with that statement. Personally I feel that it borders on criminal negligence that the world's attention shifted from Afganistan to Iraq so quickly. We should have focused on getting that right first, but there's no use in crying over spilt milk and all.