The Future of Terrorism: What al-Qaida Really Wants

SPIEGEL Online ^ | August 12, 2005 | SPIEGELnet

[wolf78]

THE FUTURE OF TERRORISM

What al-Qaida Really Wants

If there is anyone who might possibly have an inkling as to what al-Qaida are up to, it is the Jordanian journalist Fouad Hussein. He has not only spent time in prison with al-Zarqawi, but has also managed to get into contact with many of the network's leaders. Based on correspondence with these sources, he has now brought out a book detailing the organization's master plan.

There must be something particularly trustworthy about the Jordanian journalist Fouad Hussein. After all, he has managed to get the most sought after terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi to open up to him. Maybe it helped that they spent time together in prison many years ago -- when Hussein was a political prisoner he successfully negotiated for al-Zarqawi to be released from solitary confinement. Or is it because of the honest and direct way in which he puts his ideas onto paper? Whatever the reason, the result is that a film which Hussein made about al-Zarqawi has even been shown on al-Qaida affiliated Web sites. "That showed me that they at least felt understood," the journalist says.

Even for an Arab journalist it is no easy matter getting in touch with al-Qaida's inner circle. But, nevertheless, Hussein, who is based in Amman, Jordan, has succeeded in turning his correspondence with the terrorist into a remarkable book "al-Zarqawi - al-Qaida's Second Generation."

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[FlatLandBeer]

This plan is doable if we let it happen.
They perceive that the WEST not just the US as an enemy. If they can make us want to quit or just "contain" them they have a chance. If we fail to bring a Democratic government to Iraq they win. They don't need a big army of high tech weapons. They just need to keep neutralize by keeping them busy in various fronts. They will have nukes and they will use them.

Don't ever underestimate your enemy, expect them to be 10 times their perceived strength.

[mikegi]

The "realistic scenario" for Islamic domination is demographics. As long as "they" keep having more babies than "we" do, in our countries, and as long as they believe their interests supersede ours, there's a risk that we lose big-time.

My hope is that the Islamic Caliphate won't attack us in 2010 because they're too busy assimilating millions of Muslimes deported from the West.

[GoLightly]

The demands could be reverse psychology, while the bombs goad the west to send troops & to remain engaged.

Course, they'd have to stop calling Spain a victory & France or Germany should have been the country hit on 7/7 to support this statement. The hit in London could be a case of too many chiefs...

PS: You goad someone to get their goat.

[msf92497]

Wow.

Too bad for them.

Oiling my steel and waiting for an excuse to employ it.

[Windsong]

What Al-Queda wanted..they already got. About 3000 of them. Mission accomplished. They're just going after the ones that got away these days.

[GoLightly]

It is an interesting read. I note the glaring exlusion of Iran from the plan. Iraq is more Shite than Sunni, yet the plan calls for setting up Iraq as the the center for all global operations. Yes, Iran has a second count against it, lack of Arabs. This plan looks like a very old one, dusted off a bit, but still the same old plan. It used to be called Pan Arabism.

[AdmSmith]

The Third Phase This is described as "Arising and Standing Up" and should last from 2007 to 2010. "There will be a focus on Syria," prophesies Hussein, based on what his sources told him. The fighting cadres are supposedly already prepared and some are in Iraq. Attacks on Turkey and -- even more explosive -- in Israel are predicted

I anticipate that this scenario is taken from the "think"-tank of al Qaeda, i.e. that it is authentic aQ. Especially if you consider their ideas of the end of times.

Mahdi/Mehdi is expected to appear in Damascus, then take Istanbul.

They really are crazy.

[Dajjal]

AdmSmith: Thanks for the ping -- excellent article.

Lest any peacenicks think "well, let's just give them their own country if that's all they want -- then there will be peace" look closely at Step 5 for why they want this caliphate:
the Islamic state will be able to bring about a new world order.

Step 8+ will be to establish Global Shar'ia

Jihad ping

[D-fendr]

For those of you who think we are not at war with islam...

What and give them phase one? Nah. Muslims can be muslims so long as they are not part of this evil scheme.

I think to keep and encourage this division is in our interests.

[Siobhan]

Excellent points, Dajjal. Thank you for the ping.

[aculeus]

I just read this on the original site, thought it should be on FR, did the search and found yours was the first of about five postings!

Anyhow, thanks for posting and here's a bump.