Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 The International Islamist Revolutionary Movement

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 The Problem Cannot be Defeated Until it is Correctly Defined The threat is not from a relatively small group of “terrorists” that can be “brought to justice” one at a time The threat is not from a relatively small group of “terrorists” that can be “brought to justice” one at a time Rather, it is an international revolutionary movement, led by a military vanguard, supported by millions of Muslims, and backed by a well articulated ideology no less potent than that of Communism or Nazism Rather, it is an international revolutionary movement, led by a military vanguard, supported by millions of Muslims, and backed by a well articulated ideology no less potent than that of Communism or Nazism

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 Summary Osama bin-Laden and Al Qaeda represent the military vanguard of an International Islamist Revolutionary Movement/Insurgency that has millions of followers worldwide, and tens of thousands in the U.S. Osama bin-Laden and Al Qaeda represent the military vanguard of an International Islamist Revolutionary Movement/Insurgency that has millions of followers worldwide, and tens of thousands in the U.S. No less than Communism and Nazism, Islamism is rooted in an extremely well articulated ideology developed by well known and highly respected Islamist ideologues No less than Communism and Nazism, Islamism is rooted in an extremely well articulated ideology developed by well known and highly respected Islamist ideologues Active supporters of this movement in the U.S. assist the Jihad in numerous ways, which include participation in: support cells, criminal activity, proselytizing, recruiting, fund raising, the politicization of American Muslims, and activity designed to neutralize U.S. foreign and domestic policy regarding the Middle East and the War on Terror Active supporters of this movement in the U.S. assist the Jihad in numerous ways, which include participation in: support cells, criminal activity, proselytizing, recruiting, fund raising, the politicization of American Muslims, and activity designed to neutralize U.S. foreign and domestic policy regarding the Middle East and the War on Terror

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 The Beginning Ibn Tayimiyya (12 th Century Islamic jurist) Ibn Tayimiyya (12 th Century Islamic jurist) The ideology of Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab The ideology of Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Wahhab’s 1744 covenant with Muhammad Ibn Saud Wahhab’s 1744 covenant with Muhammad Ibn Saud The Saudi state and its policy of exporting Wahhabism worldwide The Saudi state and its policy of exporting Wahhabism worldwide –To counter secular Pan Arabist movements –To counter Iran’s Islamic Revolution –To gain influence over the U.S., it’s sole protector

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 The Ideologues Hassan al-Banna( ): Created the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928, which became the first Sunni Muslim terrorist organization Hassan al-Banna( ): Created the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928, which became the first Sunni Muslim terrorist organization Sayyid Abdul-Ala Maududi ( ): Radical Indian Islamist who originated the concept that Islam is not a religion, it is The way of life that encompasses “…a revolutionary doctrine and system that overturns governments.” Maududi is the founder of Pakistan’s largest and most powerful Islamist party- Jammat I Islamii Sayyid Abdul-Ala Maududi ( ): Radical Indian Islamist who originated the concept that Islam is not a religion, it is The way of life that encompasses “…a revolutionary doctrine and system that overturns governments.” Maududi is the founder of Pakistan’s largest and most powerful Islamist party- Jammat I Islamii Sayyid Qutb ( ): An Egyptian member of the Muslim Brotherhood, who is considered by many to be the “Karl Marx” of Islamism. Probably the single most important influence in the formation of young Muslim extremists Sayyid Qutb ( ): An Egyptian member of the Muslim Brotherhood, who is considered by many to be the “Karl Marx” of Islamism. Probably the single most important influence in the formation of young Muslim extremists

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 Ideologues Abdullah Azzam ( ): A Palestinian Muslim Brother who is referred to as the “Emir of the International Jihad” Abdullah Azzam ( ): A Palestinian Muslim Brother who is referred to as the “Emir of the International Jihad” Osama bin-Laden’s Mentor Osama bin-Laden’s Mentor Created the Offices of Services for the Mujahideen that supported jihadis fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. This organization eventually became the international framework of Al Qaeda Created the Offices of Services for the Mujahideen that supported jihadis fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan. This organization eventually became the international framework of Al Qaeda

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 Ideologues Osama’s contribution: Osama’s contribution: –He redirected the jihad from a fragmented and localized struggle against “apostate” regimes, to a unified struggle against the U.S. –His Genius is in targeting the U.S., which is the glue that binds Muslims from different social and economic backgrounds in a common cause –He interprets and effectively argues that legitimate citations in the Qur’an, the Sunna, and the rulings of Islamic jurists are commands that all Muslims must fight in a Defensive Jihad if Islam attacked –He then makes a comprehensive and consistent case that demonstrates that the U.S. is bent on destroying Islam

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 Osama’s Case The U.S. invaded and colonized two Muslim countries - Afghanistan and Iraq The U.S. invaded and colonized two Muslim countries - Afghanistan and Iraq The U.S. oppresses the Palestinians by supporting Israel The U.S. oppresses the Palestinians by supporting Israel The U.S. supports tyrannical “apostate” governments in the Middle East The U.S. supports tyrannical “apostate” governments in the Middle East The U.S. supports regimes that actively oppress Muslims (e.g. Russia, China, India) The U.S. supports regimes that actively oppress Muslims (e.g. Russia, China, India) The U.S. robs the Muslim world of its precious resources (oil) The U.S. robs the Muslim world of its precious resources (oil)

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 The Result Terrorism targeted against the U.S. and its allies Terrorism targeted against the U.S. and its allies A truly internationalized Islamic Military Insurgency A truly internationalized Islamic Military Insurgency –Afghanistan –Iraq –Palestine –Kashmir –Mindanao –Chechnya –China –Africa

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 And, the Terrorism Major Attacks Since 9/11 Evidence of Global Capability All of the following attacks required advanced planning, pre-operation surveillance, trained and committed personnel, operational coordination, operational security, weapons/equipment, and logistics October 2002 – Bali bombing October 2002 – Bali bombing October 2002 – Attack on French oil tanker Limburg October 2002 – Attack on French oil tanker Limburg October 2002 – Attack on theatre in Moscow October 2002 – Attack on theatre in Moscow November 2002 – Car bomb and SAM attack in Mombassa, Kenya November 2002 – Car bomb and SAM attack in Mombassa, Kenya May 2003 – Car bomb attacks in Riyadh May 2003 – Car bomb attacks in Riyadh May 2003 – Suicide attacks in Casablanca, Morocco May 2003 – Suicide attacks in Casablanca, Morocco August 2003 – Car bomb attack of Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia August 2003 – Car bomb attack of Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia November 2003 – Car bomb attacks in Riyadh November 2003 – Car bomb attacks in Riyadh November 2003 – Car bomb attacks on Synagogues and British organizations in Turkey November 2003 – Car bomb attacks on Synagogues and British organizations in Turkey December 2003 – Train bombing in Chechnya December 2003 – Train bombing in Chechnya March 2004 – Train bombing in Madrid March 2004 – Train bombing in Madrid August 2004 – Two bombed airliners in Russia August 2004 – Two bombed airliners in Russia September 2004 – Hostage Killings in school in Beslan September 2004 – Hostage Killings in school in Beslan September 2004 – Car bombing of Australian Embassy in Jakarta by JI September 2004 – Car bombing of Australian Embassy in Jakarta by JI October 2004 – Car bombing of tourist resorts in Taba, Egypt October 2004 – Car bombing of tourist resorts in Taba, Egypt Current – Iraq – Full-blown Intifada (uprising) with almost daily killings, kidnappings, car bombings, sabotage, roadside bombs, etc. Current – Iraq – Full-blown Intifada (uprising) with almost daily killings, kidnappings, car bombings, sabotage, roadside bombs, etc.

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 Many Agree with Him – The Movement’s International and Domestic Infrastructure Millions worldwide (a small percentage of the 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide, but millions nevertheless) Millions worldwide (a small percentage of the 1.2 billion Muslims worldwide, but millions nevertheless) –Saudi Poll – 95 percent of Saudi males from 21 to 49 –Pakistan Poll – 66 percent of Pakistanis Tens of thousands in the U.S. Tens of thousands in the U.S. –1995 – Jihad in America –1999 – Sheikh Kabbani’s comments –2001 – Mosque in America –2003 – FBI statement “widespread and extensive militant Islamic presence…” –2004 – FBI statement – Al Qaeda or affiliated cells in 40 states

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 The Goal The removal of the U.S. from the Middle East The removal of the U.S. from the Middle East The establishment of a Muslim State (empire) consolidating the nation states of the Middle East under the power of a Caliph, and ruled by Sharia (Islamic) law The establishment of a Muslim State (empire) consolidating the nation states of the Middle East under the power of a Caliph, and ruled by Sharia (Islamic) law

Higgins Counterterrorism Research Center - Copyright 2004 What followers in U.S. do to support the movement They form terror Support Cells They form terror Support Cells They commit criminal activity to support jihad They commit criminal activity to support jihad –Drugs (and they have formed alliances with DTO’s worldwide) –N.C. Hizballah cigarette smuggling –$4.2 million Manufacturer’s Coupon Fraud They proselytize, recruit, raise funds from faithful They proselytize, recruit, raise funds from faithful –Radical Mosques –Charities –Islamic schools/foundations They penetrate the U.S. Government They penetrate the U.S. Government –AMC (Chaplains) –Government interpreters –Prisons –Law Enforcement They intimidate/cajole/co-opt law enforcement and policymakers to keep them from pursuing the War on Terror, and to counter policies in the Middle East to which they are opposed They intimidate/cajole/co-opt law enforcement and policymakers to keep them from pursuing the War on Terror, and to counter policies in the Middle East to which they are opposed –CAIR –ADC –AMC