Publication

This report examines al-Qaeda’s operations in the Horn of Africa using al-Qaeda documents captured in the course of operations supporting the war on terror. After reviewing the operations from a theoretical standpoint, it analyzes al-Qaeda’s prospects in two key Horn countries: Somalia and Kenya. Based on this analysis, it provides policy recommendations on how the US and its coalition partners might address the threat of terrorism in the Horn and globally. The authors conclude that the US and its coalition partners should prioritize their counterterrorism efforts in weak states, not failed ones.