Al-Qa'ida's Doctrine for Insurgency: Abd al-Aziz al-Muqrin's "A Practical Course for Guerrilla War"
“The book neatly divides between a succinct analysis and a translation of the original text. . . . Cigar’s holistic recommendations are timely.”“Norman Cigar provides a timely and relevant translation and analysis of an important al-Qaeda doctrinal work. [This] analysis greatly benefits from his extensive use of original radical Islamist sources, which include not only a wide variety of al-Muqrin’s writings, but also key related works of other radical Sunni thinkers. The book is well organized and is laid out so that the doctrinal thinking of QAP (and in a larger sense, al-Qaeda) can be clearly understood and easily related to its media operations and operational art. Cigar succeeds in enhancing insights into the war-fighting doctrine, as well as the supported ideology, of radical Islamists.”“Norman Cigar has provided estimable assistance to analysts, officials, and scholars.”“A real delight on many levels. . . . It represents exactly the kinds of materials needed to educate America’s military leaders. . . . [The author] has done a marvelous job highlighting the writings of the late al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula leader Abdul Aziz al-Muqrin. . . . This slim volume is a required read for anyone seriously interested in al-Qaida tactics and strategy."“A timely and illuminating work. A superb study that should be essential reading for anyone interested in terrorism, insurgency, and the specific threat posed by Al-Qaida.”“In the short time that he directed Al-Qaida's operations in Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz al-Muqrin made a significant impact on the strategic culture of the organization and Al-Qaida's broader movement. Muqrin represented a new breed of Al-Qaida commander: one that was tactically proficient, strategically forward-looking, and ideologically fluent. Despite his reputation within Al-Qaida as a serious thinker and strategist, however, most of Muqrin's work has gone unread in the West. Norman Cigar's meticulous translation and rigorous analysis of Muqrin's guerrilla strategy offers the warfighter, the intelligence analyst, and the first responder an unparalleled look into the thinking of this critical Al-Qaida commander.”“An insightful and important book by a seasoned expert on al Qaeda’s strategy and plans to overthrow the Saudi monarchy. Dr. Cigar’s translation and analysis of al Qaeda’s insurgency doctrine is a major contribution to our understanding of al Qaeda, Saudi Arabia and the future of both.  Both experts and the public will find much new information in this book.”