From Amy Zalman, Ph.D.,
Your Guide to Terrorism Issues.
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Who are the Members of the Al Qaeda Terrorism Network?

Leaders:Osama bin Laden is the core group's originator and leader. Egyptian Ayman Al Zawahiri, who began his 'career' advocating jihad within a national context, is generally referred to as the group's second in command. He has taken on bin Laden's idea of a global jihad. These two men have together shaped the singular global jihadist vision of Al Qaeda.

Osama bin Laden | Ayman Al Zawahiri | Al Qaeda's Main Leaders

Organizations: Al Qaeda is not one group, but a loose affiliation of different organizations. Some of these have genuine ties to Osama bin Laden's core group, but there are also an increasing number that assert their affinity with Al Qaeda's goals without having any formal connection. These groups act independently of bin Laden. Among the groups that have been presumed to have ties to Al Qaeda are:

• Al Qaeda—main organization
• Al Qaeda in Iraq
• Egyptian Islamic Jihad (Tanzim Al Jihad)
• Al Ansar Al Islami
• Al Ansar Mujahideen
• Jemaah Islamiyya
• Lashkar-i-Tayyiba (Pakistan)
• Al Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb

How Did Al Qaeda's Core Group Develop?

The circumstances of Al Qaeda's development relate to Osama bin Laden's life, and the times and region where he grew up. Here, resources on different points in the origins and evolution of the core group he heads.

• How did bin Laden become a Jihadist?
• Osama bin Laden's Influences
• 1979: U.S. Begins Supporting Jihad in Afghanistan
• 1979: U.S. Funds Jihadists in Afghanistan
• 1979-1989: Afghan Jihadis Attract Osama bin Laden and others
• 1980s: bin Laden Recruits Arabs for Jihad in Afghanistan

Also of interest: Jen Brea's (world news) Intro to the War in Afghanistan

Al Qaeda News Blogs

Here are Al Qaeda related news and events reported on this terrorism guidesite (as of September, 2006)

2006

• September 11: 49.9% of Respondents to Al Jazeera Poll Support bin Laden
• September 30, 2006: Previously Unseen Al Qaeda Video Surfaces

2007

January 8: Reported U.S. Airstrikes Against Al Qaeda in Somalia

January 10: Somalia Strike Update: Marine Captain Says Al Qaeda Strike No Surprise

Dealing with Al Qaeda

January 2002: U.S. "Torture Memo" Suspends Geneva rules for Treatment of detained Al Qaeda suspects

Should the U.S. Negotiate with Al Qaeda? Pros & Cons

Related Topics

• Suicide Terrorism: Definitions, Groups and Theories