Accession Number:

ADA473436

Title:

The Military Strategy of Global Jihad

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL STRATEGIC STUDIES INST CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Zabel, Sara E.

Report Date:

2007-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

25.0

Abstract:

America entered the Global War on Terrorism with little understanding of the enemy it faced. Al-Qaeda plays a leading role in the larger movement of global jihad, a splinter faction of militant Islamism intent on establishing its vision of strict Islamic rule in the Muslim world through armed action. Global jihadis have spent more than 40 years refining their philosophy, gaining experience, building their organization, and developing plans to reestablish what they see as the only true Islamic state on earth. The September 11, 2001 911, attacks set this plan in motion. In the years leading up to and following the 911 attacks, global jihadis have written copiously on their military strategy for creating an Islamic state. This paper draws on those writings to examine and explain the mechanisms by which they plan to neutralize the superpower guardian of world order, claim land and peoples for Islamic emirates out of the resulting chaos, and bring these emirates together to become a true Islamic state. Their writings also expose weaknesses in their strategy, and this paper explores some of those potential vulnerabilities as well.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY STRATEGY
• *TERRORISM
• ORGANIZATIONS
• ISLAM
• ATTACK
• PLANNING
• ENEMY

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE