Publication

This report discusses the ideological background of Al Qaeda and provides an overview of its affiliates that have adopted aspects of Al Qaeds’s ideology but operate relatively or completely autonomously from the group’s senior leadership. The authors also examine the debates and evolution ongoing within Al Qaeda that may change the nature of the problem US policymakers confront as they fight the organization. Additionally, they discuss tools the US Congress uses to address this problem, and the debates over policies and legislation.