Al Qaeda is an Arabic term meaning "the Base," and it refers to a transnational extremist group with a militant Islamist ideology. The organization was founded by Osama bin Laden in the late 1980s, during the Soviet-Afghan War. Al Qaeda aims to establish an Islamic state based on its interpretation of Sharia law and aims to overthrow governments it perceives as un-Islamic, particularly in Muslim-majority countries.
The group gained immense notoriety on September 11, 2001, when it orchestrated the deadliest terrorist attack in history, targeting the United States. Al Qaeda operatives hijacked four commercial airplanes, crashing two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Virginia, and the fourth in a field in Pennsylvania, thwarted by passengers. These heinous acts of violence prompted a global response and intensified the international community's efforts to counterterrorism.
Al Qaeda utilizes a decentralized structure, enabling it to operate in various fragmented cells throughout the world. It recruits individuals who identify with its extremist ideologies and trains them in guerilla warfare, bomb making, and other tactics. Furthermore, al Qaeda has displayed adaptability and resilience, surviving a series of counterterrorism initiatives. The group also seeks to inspire and support other jihadist movements around the globe, promoting a transnational ideology and fostering links with local extremist groups.
Alongside its affiliates and associate organizations, al Qaeda has continued to pose a significant threat to international security, promoting radicalization, and provoking violence. Efforts by national governments and international coalitions have sought to disrupt its activities, dismantle its networks, and neutralize its leadership.
