The Al-Qaeda doctrine
Subtitle: the framing and evolution of the leadership's public discourse
By: Donald Holbrook
Series: New directions in terrorism studies
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: 2014
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 286
ISBN-13: 9781623563141; 9781623564766; 9781623566678
Subjects: Jihad; Terrorism; Islam; Rhetoric; Political aspects; Discourse analysis; Ideology; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Freedom & Security / Terrorism; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Freedom & Security / International Security; Qaida (Organization)
Description: "Ever since it was first established, the senior leadership of Al-Qaeda has sought to communicate its core values, rationalizations, and principles to the world. Altogether, these statements convey Al-Qaeda's doctrine and the beliefs for which the leadership claims to be fighting. This volume in the New Directions in Terrorism Studies series analyzes over 250 statements made by the organization's two key leaders, Ayman Al-Zawahiri and Usama Bin Ladin, over the last two decades. It provides an in-depth and systematic analysis of these communications, showing which key issues emphasized by the two leaders evolved over time and highlighting their core principles. It explore Al-Qaeda's problem diagnosis, the solutions offered by its two leaders, their escalating --although often contradictory-- approach towards violence, and their chosen communication strategy for different types of audiences. The book shows how Al-Qaeda's leadership began to develop an increasingly critical approach towards Islam in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and discusses tensions that may undermine the resilience of its doctrine. This unique evidence-based analysis of Al-Qaeda will attract academics specializing in terrorism and counterterrorism as well as the policy community"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 265-278) and index.
Table of contents: title: Machine generated contents note:  Glossary; title: Preface; title: The Aims of this Book1. Introduction 2. Understanding Al-Qaeda 3. Jihadi Ideology 4. Al-Qaeda's Problem Diagnosis 5. The Solution 6. Communicating the Message 7. Contradictions, Tensions and Inconsistencies 8. The Al-Qaeda Doctrine: Understanding the Public Discourse; title: Notes; title: Bibliography; title: Appendix: Details of Statements Analyzed.