ABSTRACT
At the heart of discussions about contemporary terrorism is Al Qaeda. As an organization it is not fully understood, and analysis of its strength and the nature of its structure vary greatly. Despite this uncertainty, questions about dealing with Al Qaeda preoccupy policymakers in many countries around the world. Although other extremist groups may embrace violence for reasons of their
own, Al Qaeda’s high-profile operations, particularly the 2001 attacks on the United States and later attacks in Great Britain and Spain, have made it something of an exemplar in the world of terrorism, particularly because of the extensive media coverage it has received. As such, it provides a useful starting point for contemplating the reach and methods of a diverse array of terrorist enterprises.
