Combating a Modern Hydra Al Qaeda and the Global War on Terrorism

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• Publié par: ycyzadom
• Nombre de lectures: 84
• Langue: English
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Combating a Modern Hydra Al Qaeda and the Global War on Terrorism

Sean N. Kalic

Global War on Terrorism Occasional Paper 8

Combat Studies Institute Press Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

Combating a Modern Hydra Al Qaeda and the Global War on Terrorism

Sean N. Kalic

Combat Studies Institute Press Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Kalic, Sean N., 1970-  Combating a modern hydra: Al Qaeda and the global war on terrorism/ Sean N. Kalic. p. cm. 1. Qaida (Organization) 2. War on Terrorism, 2001- 3. National secu- rity--United States. I. Title. HV6431.K24 2005 363.32’0973--dc22

2005008282

CSI Press publications cover a variety of military history topics. The views ex- pressed in this CSI Press publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Department of the Army or Department of Defense.

A full list of CSI Press publications, many of them available for downloading, can be found at: http://leavenworth.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/csi.asp.

Foreword

Combating a Modern Hydra: Al Qaeda and the Global War on Terrorism is number eight in the Combat Studies Institute’s Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Occasional Paper series. This work resulted from discussions at Fort Leavenworth about the nature of the enemy facing the United States and its allies since 11 September 2001. Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network had been present at some level in the national and international consciousness since the late 1990s. The events of 11 September 2001 and subsequent global operations taken against Al Qaeda have brought this group to the forefront of the GWOT. While successes have been achieved in the GWOT, the enemy has proven to be resilient and adaptive. This study by Mr. Sean Kalic, of the Department of Military History, US Army Command and General Staff College, examines modern transnational terrorism from the 1960s to the present day, with special emphasis on the adaptation Al Qaeda and other nonstate actors have taken in response to the actions of the United States and its allies. This work provides a cautionary warning about the likelihood Al Qaeda will continue to survive and execute missions in the current operating environment. Mr. Kalic synthesizes much of the pertinent literature and offers insights into the actions taken to fight terrorists. Most importantly, he advises a continual reevaluation of the threat, based on Al Qaeda’s flexibility, resiliency, and adaptability. Officers and soldiers who have recently served in operations against the terrorist worldwide will certainly see utility here. As the US Army continues its efforts in combating terrorists, the thoughts found in this narrative are well worth considering.

THOMAS T. SMITH COL, IN Director, Combat Studies Institute

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Table of Contents 

Foreword ....................................................................................... i Table of Contents ........................................................................ iii List of Figures .............................................................................. v Introduction.................................................................................. 1 The Need for Definitions ............................................................. 2 Terrorism as a Security Threat ..................................................... 3 Measuring Success..................................................................... 13 On Sources ................................................................................. 15 New Terrorism ........................................................................... 16 The Case of Al Qaeda ................................................................ 21 Combating New Terrorists ......................................................... 27 Assessing the Numbers .............................................................. 31 Beyond the Numbers.................................................................. 52 Conclusion ................................................................................. 60

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Figures  Figure 1. Total Terrorist Events, 1968-2003 .............................. 32 Figure 2. Type of Terrorist Attacks on International Targets, 1990-2003 ................................................................... 38 Figure 3. Type of Terrorist Attacks on US Targets, 1990-2003 ................................................................... 39 Figure 4. International Terrorist Incidents by Type of Facility, 1990-2003 ................................................................... 41 Figure 5. Attacks on US Targets, 1990-2003 ............................. 42 Figure 6. International and US Casualties, 1990-2003  (Dead and Wounded) .................................................. 46 Photos   Photo 1. Khobar Towers complex, near King Abdul Aziz Air Base, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, bombed 25 June 1996, killing 19 and injuring over 260.......................................................... 49 Photo 2. Crater caused by the explosion of a fuel truck  outside the northern fence of Khobar Towers ............. 49 Photo 3. Pentagon crash site, 11 September 2001 ..................... 50 Photo 4. The west-facing wall of the Pentagon ......................... 50 Maps   Map 1. Khowst, Afghanistan Terrorist Camps........................... 51 Map 2. Zhawar Kili Al-Badr Terrorist Training Camp: Main ............................................................................... 51 Map 3. Zhawar Kili Al-Badr Terrorist Training Camp: West................................................................................ 51

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