The threat posed by Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan

Master's Thesis , 2011 , 200 Pages , Grade: 70/100

Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict, Security

This dissertation explore the threats posed by al Qaeda in Afghanistan and whether it is first necessary to stabilize this country in order to eliminate the group. It will be argued that al Qaeda's ideology has now become stronger than its ability to threaten international security; that its aim to become an agent of change within the Muslim world has come to outweigh the threat attributed to it as a conventional, kinetic, terrorist entity. The current instability within Afghanistan is not due to al Qaeda's physical presence there but rather an amalgamation of factors. It will be argued that the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 has contributed to al Qaeda's weakening there but it has not contributed to stabilize Afghanistan itself. The instability in Afghanistan will require a strong, long-term commitment by the international community, while the fight against al Qaeda will require more focus on combating its ideology, and less on military action. Whilst al Qaeda remains an elusive enemy for the West due to its ability to constantly adapt, the international community has failed to adapt adequately to not only combat al Qaeda's ideology, but also to implement the necessary long term strategy that is required to achieve stability in Afghanistan.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Methodology
• Chapter 2: Terrorism & Failed States - A review of literature
  • Al Qaeda as a specimen of transnational terrorism
  • Afghanistan in the context of foreign military intervention
  • Nation-building and counterinsurgency
• Chapter 3: Al Qaeda: Origins and Identity
  • The Origins of al Qaeda
  • The Structure of al Qaeda
  • Al Qaeda's Ideology and Recruitment
  • A transformative entity
• Chapter 4: Afghanistan: Foreign Intervention & Historical Instability
  • Afghanistan as a traditional, tribal society
  • The Age of Colonialism
  • The Soviet Intervention and Aftermath
  • Rise of the Taliban
• Chapter 5: Operation Enduring Freedom
  • U.S. position during the Bush Era (2001-2008)
  • The Obama Era (2009- Present)
  • Nation-building Initiatives and the role of the U.N.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This dissertation examines the threats posed by al Qaeda in Afghanistan and whether stabilizing the country is a prerequisite for eliminating the group. It argues that al Qaeda's ideology has gained more strength than its ability to threaten international security, emphasizing its goal of driving change within the Muslim world over its conventional terrorist activities.

• The impact of al Qaeda's ideology on international security
• The relationship between al Qaeda's presence and instability in Afghanistan
• The effectiveness of the U.S.-led invasion in weakening al Qaeda and stabilizing Afghanistan
• The need for long-term international commitment to stabilize Afghanistan
• The importance of combating al Qaeda's ideology through non-military means

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter 1: Introduction

This chapter introduces the research topic, outlining the dissertation's scope and methodology.

Chapter 2: Terrorism & Failed States - A review of literature

This chapter examines the existing literature on terrorism and failed states, focusing on al Qaeda as a transnational terrorist organization and Afghanistan's experience with foreign military intervention. It explores the challenges of nation-building and counterinsurgency in the context of failed states.

Chapter 3: Al Qaeda: Origins and Identity

This chapter traces al Qaeda's origins, analyzing its structure, ideology, and recruitment methods. It explores the group's evolution and its potential to become a transformative entity within the Muslim world.

Chapter 4: Afghanistan: Foreign Intervention & Historical Instability

This chapter examines Afghanistan's historical context, focusing on its traditional tribal society, colonial experiences, the Soviet intervention and its aftermath, and the rise of the Taliban.

Chapter 5: Operation Enduring Freedom

This chapter analyzes the U.S.-led military intervention in Afghanistan, exploring the U.S. position during the Bush and Obama administrations. It examines nation-building initiatives and the role of the United Nations in stabilizing the country.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This dissertation explores the intersection of terrorism, failed states, and ideological influence, focusing on al Qaeda, Afghanistan, and the challenges of counterinsurgency, nation-building, and international security. Key themes include the evolution of al Qaeda's ideology, the impact of foreign intervention on Afghanistan's stability, and the need for a multi-faceted approach to combating terrorism.

• College: University of Malta
• Course: International Relations
• Grade: 70/100
• Author: B.A. (Hons), M.A. International Relations Matthew Bugeja (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 200
• Catalog Number: V274356
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656662075
• ISBN (Book): 9783656662068
• Language: English
• Tags: al-qaeda, afghanistan