Beyond al-Qaeda. Part 2. The Outer Rings of the Terrorist Universe
Abstract
The "al-Qaeda universe" does not incorporate the entirety of the terrorist threat or potential threat. A number of other militant groups threaten U.S. regional interests or allies and pose a potential direct threat to the United States. This volume, Part 2 of the study, focuses on three categories in this "second circle" of terrorist groups: (1) terrorist groups that articulate an Islamist agenda for their own country but are not directly linked to the global jihadist movement; (2) Muslim terrorist groups whose agendas are primarily separatist or ethno-nationalist but that present a threat to the stability or territorial integrity of U.S. allies, although not to the United States directly; and (3) highly capable, non-Islamist terrorist groups. By examining these groups, we hope to establish a framework for evaluating the threat that these groups currently pose and assessing the likelihood and the conditions under which some of them could evolve into regional or global threats. We also examine antiglobalization threats. Some of these groups have risen to the level of terrorism; others have not, but could. Finally, we discuss the nexus between terrorism, insurgency, and crime.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA458206
Entities
People
- Angel Rabasa
- Heather S. Gregg
- Kevin A. O'brien
- Peter Chalk
- R. Kim Cragin
- Sara A. Daly
- Theodore W. Krasik
- William Rosenau
Organizations
- RAND Corporation