Understanding Al Qaeda : Changing war and global politics / Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mohamedou, Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Qaida (Organization).

Terrorism--Religious aspects--Islam.

Terrorism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (192 p.)

Edition:

2nd ed.

Place of Publication:

London : Pluto Press, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book controversially argues that Al Qaeda has clear aims, and that the only way to defeat it is to engage with its arguments in a serious way.Since the publication of the first edition in 2006, Mohamedou has brought the text right up-to-date. Starting with Al Qaeda's creation almost twenty years ago, and sketching its global mutation, Mohamedou explains that there is a cogent strategy to Al Qaeda's actions. He shows that the 'war on terror' is failing, only serving to recruit more terrorists to Al Qaeda's cause. He also puts forward a case for how the international community can best respond. Arguing that it is dangerous to dismiss Al Qaeda as illogical and irrational, this incisive and original book is important for policy-makers and ideal for undergraduates in international relations, Middle East studies and peace/conflict studies.

Contents:

Cover

Contents

List of Figures and Tables

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. Casus Belli

The Seriousness of Injustice

Misrepresentations and Distortions

2. Changed Context

Classical War

Western War, Western Law

Bellum Novae

The Limits of the Law

A New Type of Actor

3. Purpose and Pattern

Rebellion as Export: The Emergence of Al Qaeda

1989-95: Strategy Development

1996-2001: Transnational War Plans

2002-03: Regrouping and Globalising

2004-06: War and Diplomacy

2007-11: Regionalisation and Hybridisation

Towards 'The Real' Al Qaeda

4. Fallacies and Primacies

Misleading Explanations

The Primacy of the Political

The Problem of Terrorism

5. Depth of Engagement

Ending the Deadlock

Reassessment and Recomposition

The Way Forward

Appendix

Chronology

Notes

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

CC BY-NC-ND

ISBN:

9781783714384

1783714387

9781849645980

1849645981

OCLC:

742516254

Access Restriction:

Open Access Unrestricted online access