The internal conflicts within alQaeda from "summary" of The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright
The internal conflicts within alQaeda were rooted in the differing visions of its leaders. Osama bin Laden, the group's founder, believed in a strategy of attacking the "far enemy" - the United States - in order to provoke a global conflict that would unite Muslims against the West. On the other hand, Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Laden's deputy, favored focusing on the "near enemy" - the Arab regimes that he saw as corrupt and apostate. This ideological divide was not merely theoretical; it played out in the group's operations and decision-making processes. Bin Laden's emphasis on high-profile attacks like 9/11 put alQaeda in direct conflict with the governments of the countries where it operated, leading to a series of setbacks and losses. Zawahiri, in contrast, argued for a more patient and strategic approach, focusing on building local support and alliances before taking on the West. These differences in strategy and tactics led to repeated clashes within the group. Bin Laden's charisma and personal fortune allowed him to maintain control over alQaeda's external operations, but Zawahiri's influence over the group's ideology and long-term goals was equally strong. The two leaders often found themselves at odds over the direction of the organization, with bin Laden pushing for more attacks and Zawahiri advocating for a more cautious approach. The internal conflicts within alQaeda were further exacerbated by the group's decentralized structure. Its affiliates and allies operated semi-independently, often pursuing their own agendas and strategies. This lack of central control made it difficult for bin Laden and Zawahiri to enforce their vision for the group, leading to confusion and infighting among its members.- The internal conflicts within alQaeda were a significant factor in the group's decline. The inability of its leaders to resolve their differences and unite behind a common strategy weakened the organization and made it more vulnerable to external pressure. In the end, the ideological divide between bin Laden and Zawahiri proved to be one of alQaeda's fatal flaws.
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