“almost all of which long predate the existence of al-Qaeda
This is news? Of course they predate al-Qaeda. al-Qaeda means “the base” and it’s stated mission was to be the central clearing house and command center for all of those organizations, not to be a stand-alone organization. That’s what makes them more dangerous.
This guy influenced CIA policy? Ouch.
Good point that bears repeating whenever liberals "misunderestimate" the terrorist threat. The Germanic tribes that overran the Roman Empire didn't necessarily constitute an "organized barbarian threat", but they got the job done, nevertheless. Sadly, it has become conventional wisdom that if a militant Islamist suicide bomber, kidnapper or assassin isn't carrying an Al Qaeda membership card, he/she isn't a real terrorist.
More fundamentally, al-Queda was primarily a jihadist venture-capital firm.
Jihad groups from all over the world would make contact with al-Q for funding and training. If the al-Q leaders thought their business plan (proposed terrorist operation) made sense, then they would get funding
Osama's main role in al-Q wqas as liaison between the Operations people who needed funding, and the money men back in Saudi and Kuwait (the Golden Chain organization and the bin Laden clan)