Al Qaida
Terrorist groups characterize modern society, with some of the worst terrorist wars taking place within the religious context. Sometimes, terrorist groups emerge as innocent groups in pursuit of genuine and just causes. However, changes within the socio-political environment can make the group take extremist and violent positions. Al Qaida is a good example. This discussion explores the origin of the group, its establishment and evolution, and its defeat.
Motivation, purpose, and objectives
Al Qaida has specific motivations, purpose, and objectives that enabled it to exist and last long enough to carry its agendas around the globe. Three key motivating factors define the group. First, it was established to help Afghanistan Muslims and rebel groups fightagainst the communist invasion by USSR (Gomes & Mikhael, 2018). This marks the inception of the terror group. Secondly, the group viewed non-conformity to and deviation from Islamic teachings instigated by the West as the cause of problems and decadence in the Muslim communities (Gomes & Mikhael, 2018). This means any governmental actors opposing Islamic laws and governance were a threat to Muslims from the group’s perspective. It emerges that the purpose of the group was to fight for the establishment of Islamic states and laws globally. The precise objectives are three. On the one hand, it aimed at reverting the world’s political-ideological to the Islamic doctrines (Gomes & Mikhael, 2018). Secondly, it sought to concentrate attacks and assault on the US because it viewed it as the major source of strength to its interests (Gomes & Mikhael, 2018). Thirdly, it aimed at overthrowing apostate government regimes around the world (Gomes & Mikhael, 2018). These objectives, purpose, and motivations guided Al Qaida as a terrorist group.
Establishment, evolution (150 words)
Al Qaeda began as a political struggle to regain Afghanistan from the USSRinvasion and re-establish it as a sovereign nation. According to Gomes & Mikhael (2018),several political regimes and changes involving Communism, newfound interest, and shift to the right, Iranian Revolution, and invasion by USSR led to the establishment of Al Qaida. First, Afghanistan transitioned from the monarchy system and fell under Daoud Khan Governmentfrom 1973 to 1978. This regime favored the right, which was a shift from Communism. USSR, feeling threatened with its Communist parade, assassinated Daoud and established a pro-Communism government in Russia. This was, however, overthrown during the IranianRevolution that supported Islamic doctrines of social and leadership organization. Feeling threatened again, USSR invaded and occupied Afghanistan. This proved to be a pivotal point leading to Al Qaeda formation.
Notably, the Communism invasion of a people that chose to follow the Islamic doctrines by establishing an Islamic state angered other Islamic forces in the Middle East. As Gomes & Mikhael (2018) observe, several Islamic figures, including Bin Laden, formed Al Qaida secretlyto assist the Afghanistan people fed off the unwanted Communism or USSR occupation. Afghanistan eventually managed to force out the USSR army. However, after the USSR troops had withdrawn, Al Qaida looked elsewhere around the globe where Islam or Muslims were threatened by governments perceived by the group to be apostate (Gomes & Mikhael, 2018). This is how Al Qaeda transitioned from a liberating force in Afghanistan to a terror group worldwide.
Its defeat
Al Qaida has been weakened significantly, but not defeated or eradicated completely. Arguably, the group has suffered significant losses, including losing its greatest leader, Bin Laden. According to Riedel (2019), Barack Obama’s administration deployed the AfPak strategy that allowed it to isolate certain areas, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and focus anti-terrorism efforts on them to fight Al Qaida. Notably, the focus on Pakistan and Afghanistan to fortify anti-Al Qaida efforts paid off. Obama’s administration was able to kill the groups’ top leader, Osama Bin Laden.Nonetheless, Osama’s death only led to the rise of Ayman Zawahiri, his deputy, as the leader of Al Qaida, whoprovides occasional threats and statements from unknown hideouts (Riedel, 2019). Although the new Al Qaida leader is not yet dead, earlier the US fight against it weakened the terrorist group significantly. Therefore, a similar concentration approach used in the AfPak strategy should be employed to find Ayman Zawahiri and weaken the group further, or eliminate it.