The Global Jihad Movement

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Three to four dozen international and local organizations, up to one hundred thousand individuals, and millions of supporters are part of the phenomenon of Global Jihad. The Global Jihad Movement endeavors to name and differentiate these organizations and to explain their infrastructure, operational capabilities, and activities. It also analyzes their mutual and multi-lateral relations inside and outside the jihadi framework. In essence, this is a whos who in the Global Jihad. The first section deals with ideology, focusing on the emergence of the Salafi and the Salafi-jihadi ideologies, which are still the most important factors behind the operational performance of Global Jihadi elements. The second section addresses the affiliate groups of al-Qaeda, such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and al-Qaeda in Iraq. This section focuses mainly on the groups that adopted al-Qaedas Global Jihad strategy by incorporating Western targets in their vicinity of operations in their targeting policies. The next section discusses the different jihad arenas that have emerged over the last three decades, absorbing jihadi fighters from Islamic communities around the world. Finally, tThe last section examines the long process of radicalization, from regular and normative lifestyle patterns to the final jihadi stagewhich in many cases involves martyrdom as suicide bombers in the name of radical Islam.

Reviews

This handbook presents a comprehensive, detailed, and authoritative overview of the global Jihadi movement and its disparate affiliates, with a focus on their infrastructure, operational capabilities, and terrorist activities. * Perspectives on Terrorism *
This book offers a perfect primer for students of the global situation on the elements and ideals of jihad, with special attention afforded to Al-Qaeda, the largest and most successful proponent of jihad.... The book incorporates a number of instructive charts and maps to good effect and includes an index. This informative book is an excellent launching point for further study. * American Reference Books Annual *
The Global Jihad Movement is recommended reading for college-level political science readers strong in global security issues, and provides a reference designed to identify and differentiate the various world groups involved in global jihad. An introductory section covers basic ideology common to such groups, while other sections present 'affiliate groups' and discuss their different perspectives, strategies, and political processes. Any college-level reader with more than a cursory interest in the subject will find this a serious reference that uses the different groups as a starting point for examining their patterns, ideology, lifestyles, and effects on world political and social order. * Midwest Book Review *

Author Bio

Rohan Gunaratna is professor of security studies and head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of George Washington Universitys Homeland Security Policy Institute and serves on the advisory board of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, The Hague. Aviv Oreg was the head of the al-Qaeda and Global Jihad desk in the Analysis and Research Division of the IDF Intelligence Branch.