Killing in the Name of God: Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda
Abstract
What manner of men are these, living in American society, for years in some cases, aiming to kill thousands while dying in the process? Surely, one would think, they must be crazed psychotics. No normal person could do such a thing. But, in fact, the al Qaeda terrorists were psychologically "normal." By no means were they psychologically disturbed. Indeed, terrorist groups expel emotionally disturbed individuals -- they are a security risk. In many ways, these new terrorists shatter the profile of suicidal terrorists developed in Israel. There is a striking contrast between the Palestinian suicide bombers in Israel and the 19 terrorists who carried out the attacks of September 11th, an unprecedented act of mass casualty terrorism. They had lived in western society, in some cases for many years, exposed to its freedoms and opportunities. The leaders were older, in their mid-thirties and late twenties, and a number had received higher education. Mohammed Atta, the apparent ringleader, was thirty-three. Atta and two other hijackers had received graduate training at the technological university in Hamburg, Germany. Most came from financially comfortable middle class families in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. They blended in with society, eschewing the dress, customs and personal grooming of traditional Muslims. And yet, on the appointed day, like the Manchurian Candidate, they carried out their mission to hijack four airliners, and gave their lives while killing just over 3,000 people. Fully formed adults, they had internalized their values. They were "true believers" who subordinated their individuality to the group. This paper presents a history and political personality profile of Osama bin Laden. The paper also discusses al Qaeda's ideology, philosophy, leadership, organizational structure, and possible scenarios to consider for the future of al Qaeda.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA457552
Entities
People
- Jerrold M. Post