The evolution of alQaeda's tactics from "summary" of The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright
The early tactics used by al-Qaeda were largely focused on large-scale attacks, such as the bombings of the U. S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. These attacks were carefully planned and coordinated, but they required significant resources and manpower, making them difficult to pull off on a regular basis. As al-Qaeda came under increasing pressure from U. S. and international counterterrorism efforts, they began to shift their tactics towards smaller, more decentralized attacks. This approach allowed them to continue their campaign of violence while reducing the risk of detection and disruption by intelligence agencies. One key innovation in al-Qaeda's tactics was the use of "leaderless resistance," a concept developed by white supremacist groups in the United States. This strategy involved encouraging individuals or small groups to carry out attacks on their own, without direct orders from central leadership. This made it harder for authorities to track and target the organization as a whole. Another important development was the use of the internet and social media to spread propaganda, recruit new members, and coordinate attacks. This allowed al-Qaeda to reach a global audience and inspire a new generation of would-be jihadists, even as their core leadership was being decimated by drone strikes and special operations raids.- The evolution of al-Qaeda's tactics can be seen as a response to the changing geopolitical landscape and the increasing pressure they faced from counterterrorism efforts. By adapting to these challenges and embracing new technologies, al-Qaeda was able to continue its campaign of violence and remain a potent threat to global security.
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