Ten Years Later: Insights on al-Qaeda's Past & Future through Captured Records: A Conference Report
Abstract
On 13-14 September 2011, the Conflict Records Research Center (CRRC) at the Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Advanced Governmental Studies hosted a conference to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Entitled "Ten Years Later: Insights on al-Qaeda's Past & Future through Captured Records," the conference explored what scholars and policymakers knew about al-Qaeda and Associated Movements (AQAM) before 9/11 and what they have learned since, offering thoughts about the future of AQAM as well as directions for future research and policy. The CRRC released 12 records from its AQAM collection in conjunction with the conference, providing primary-source material to scholars and researchers worldwide and helping show how captured records can contribute to understanding America's adversaries on both the academic and policymaking levels. The conference featured addresses by government officials involved in counterterrorism policymaking, and panel presentations by some of the world's foremost scholars studying AQAM. Key findings from the conference and analysis of the captured records are as follows: (1) Even though al-Qaeda has grown significantly weaker over the past 10 years, it is becoming an increasingly innovative adversary, demanding a more dynamic and nuanced American approach to counterterrorism; (2) Al-Qaeda affiliated, "lone wolf" and right-wing terrorism is on the rise; (3) Winning the war of ideas, rather than just a military victory, remains paramount in defeating extremism and terrorism; (4) Government officials and scholars must continue to work together to fully understand AQAM and other threats to the United States; (5) The United States must continue to adapt to meet challenges from terrorism in the future; and (6) Academics and other researchers must continue to ask hard questions to help policymakers determine the best way to deal with America's adversaries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 27, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA569571
Entities
People
- Joseph J. Simons
Organizations
- National Defense University