Al-Qaida

Definition/Scope: Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida and sometimes al-Qa'ida, (The Base or the foundation) is an international Sunni Islamist movement founded in 1988. Al-Qaeda have attacked civilian and military targets in various countries, the most notable being the September 11 attacks in 2001. These actions were followed by the US government launching a military and intelligence campaign against al-Qaeda called the War on Terror. Characteristic techniques include suicide attacks and simultaneous bombings of different targets. Activities ascribed to it may involve members of the movement, who have taken a pledge of loyalty to Osama bin Laden, or the much more numerous "al-Qaeda-linked" individuals who have undergone training in one of its camps in Afghanistan or Sudan but not taken any pledge. Al-Qaeda's objectives include the end of foreign influence in Muslim countries and the creation of a new Islamic caliphate. Reported beliefs include that a Christian-Jewish alliance is conspiring to destroy Islam, and that the killing of bystanders and civilians is Islamically justified in jihad. Its management philosophy has been described as "centralization of decision and decentralization of execution." Following 9/11 and the launching of what's called the War on Terrorism, it is thought al-Qaeda's leadership has "become geographically isolated", leading to the "emergence of decentralized leadership" of regional groups using the al-Qaeda "brand name."

Use:

Al-Qa'ida

Used For:

Al Qaada
Al Qada
al Qaeda
Al Qaida
Al Quaida
Ansar al-Islam
Fath-e-Islam
Group for the Preservation of the Holy Sites
Islamic Army
Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Places
Islamic Salvation Foundation
The Base
Usama Bin Laden Network
Usama Bin Laden Organization
Victory of Islam
World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders

Acronym:

AQI

Broader Terms:

Central Intelligence Agency
counterterrorism
foreign terrorist organization
Global War on Terrorism
Islam
Muslim
Osama bin Laden
terrorism
US Central Command, Combatant Command, AOR/Unified

Narrower Terms:

Improvised Explosive Device
Osama bin Laden
Sayyid Qutb
vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device

Related Terms:

Anti-coalition Forces
Jihad
Lashkar e-Tayyiba
Lashkar i Jhangvi
Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group
Non-State Actor
noncombatant
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Taliban