Development of Al-Qaeda by the mid-1990s

Development of Al-Qaeda by the mid-1990s

1. Beliefs

   • Clear, simple and powerful
   • Jihad - their struggle was a holy war
   • Radical beliefs

2. Leaders

   • Osama bin Laden - clever and charismatic leader
   • Ayman al-Zawahiri - second in command, extremely capable leader

3. Well-trained fighters

   • Loyal, effective and committed
   • Well trained in all aspects of terrorist warfare

4. Secure bases

   • Closely linked to the Taliban
   • Taliban provided security and secrecy

5. Money

   • Bin Laden was the son of a billionaire
   • Generous support from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
   • Drugs trade with Afghanistan

6. Technology

   • Use of technology for running the organisation
   • Propaganda
   • Recruitment

7. Flexibility

   • Difficult to combat as the movement did not want material rewards, like land