Architect of Global Jihad: The Life of Al Qaeda Strategist Abu Mus'ab Al-Suri
Brynjar Lia's book is an innovative, well-sourced, and thorough account of the life and work of Abu Mus'ab al-Suri. Lia's book digs behind the myths and public speculation around al-Suri and gives a comprehensive picture of the man and his works. It is crucial to an understanding of international jihadi ideology and needs to be widely studied.(Jeevan Deol, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London)Brynjar Lia's masterfully-researched work remains the only known contribution to the terrorism studies field that parses the history and thought of al-Suri, a formidable ideologue by virtue of his pragmatism, rational approach to history, and realistic, 'egalitarian' view of the future of jihad. Far beyond its utility as an historical analysis, Lia's work is extraordinarily timely as he extracts the finer points of al-Suri's now widely-circulated theories that may have informed the conduct of the London and Madrid attacks.(Jeffrey Cozzens, Intelligence and Terrorism Analysis Group at Applied Marine Technology, Inc.)A genuinely important and path-breaking book.(Peter HartGlobe & Mail)An authoritative volume on a man who is possibly the most important jihadi theoretician alive.(Steven BrookeThe American Interest1900-01-00)Illuminating.(Ahmed RashidNew York Review of Books)A fascinating study.(Malise RuthvenNew York Review of Books)A brilliant, well-researched work.(Lester W. GrauThe Journal of Military History1900-01-00)Lia's book should be essential reading.(Marisa UrgoPolitical Studies Review)This valuable biography of Abu Mus'ab al-Suri... contributes to the understanding of jihadi strategic thought, an area where incisive and thorough scholarship has been lacking.(Daveed Gartenstein-RossMiddle East Quarterly1900-01-00)