Counter Terrorism

Counter Terrorism
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Counter Terrorism
Al-Qaeda is a terror group that has been in existence for over thirty years. The group is known for numerous attacks including the 911 attack, the bombing of the US embassy in Kenya and Tanzania, among many other organized terror attacks. Today, people commonly refer to the group as a “global franchise” or “global insurgency.” These labels to the team, however, cannot paint a clear understanding of the terror group and the threat they present to the Western countries. Al-Qaeda is “a revolutionary vanguard, engaged in a perpetual struggle to further its Salafi-jihadi ideology” (Stenersen, 2017). This paper highlights the current state of the group citing its threat to the world today.
Al-Qaeda uses an opportunistic and flexible strategy while using a varied selection of tools with the incorporation of players both within the state and out of the various target countries. In recent times, Al-Qaeda has been in a battle of supremacy with other terror groups like ISIS. This war triggered violence in multiple parts of the globe in 2015 as the criminal organization attempted to assert its dominance (Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism, 2016).
In 2017, however, the terror-created tension appeared to dissipate due to military wars and campaigns against the groups led by the U.S. Currently, the terror team’s priority is on rebuilding its capability and expanding external links and operations.

The organization might spring back into full activities perpetuating terror attacks soon. Speculations have it the Al-Qaeda could be the beneficiary of the decline in the Islamic States and is regaining more recruits, resources, and prestige. The U.S and other target regions in the world need to put in place counter-terrorism measures to avoid being prey to the imminent Al-Qaeda attacks amid the speculations of a strengthened and more powerful Al-Qaeda return.
References
Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism. (2016). Country Reports on Terrorism 2015. Washington: United States Department of State Publication.
Stenersen, A. (2017). Thirty Years after its Foundation – Where is al-Qaida Going? Perspectives on Terrorism, 11(6), 4-16.