Reference no: EM132838042

Assignment: Application: Al Qaeda's Terrorist Activities, (2 pages):

While many terrorist activities may appear to be irrational and counter-productive, most are methodical and well-planned. To prevent terrorism, it is important to understand the philosophical foundations and worldviews from which terrorists and terrorist groups operate and engage in terrorist activities. Every terrorist group's activities are tied directly to their political, social, ideological, and religious worldviews. One of the most notorious examples of this alignment is Adolf Hitler during World War II. Adolf Hitler believed that Jewish people were a race inferior to the Germans. This belief drove the actions of the Nazi regime to kill millions of Jewish people in the Holocaust. For this Application, you continue your study of Al Qaeda by examining the group's political objectives, ideology, and worldview as well as the group's terrorist activities.

To prepare for this assignment:

• Review Chapter 2 of the online resource The 9/11 Commission Report. Consider Bin Laden and Al Qaeda's political objectives, ideology, and worldview.

• Review the article "Countering Global Insurgency." Consider the influence of Jihad's beliefs on Al Qaeda's terrorist activities.

• Review Chapter 6 of the online resource Global Strategic Assessment. Think about how the views and beliefs of Al Qaeda influence their activities and movements.

• Reflect on Al Qaeda's political objectives, ideology, and worldview.

• Think about the degree to which Al Qaeda's political objectives, ideology, and worldview drive their terrorist activities.

• Consider the extent to which Al Qaeda's terrorist activities are strategic and purposeful.

• Briefly summarize Al Qaeda's political objectives, ideology, and worldview.

• Explain the degree to which Al Qaeda's political objectives, ideology, and worldview drive their terrorist activities. Be specific and use examples to illustrate your explanation.

• Explain the extent to which you think Al Qaeda's terrorist activities are strategic and purposeful. Again, be specific and use examples to illustrate your explanation.