Overview
The new issue of the Al-Qaeda Airlines magazine is a disturbing reminder of threat al-Qaeda and its affiliates pose to the western world. This issue outlines and analyzes various terror plots which have grasped the attention of the international community. There are explicit details of bombings and terror plots, including the 2001 Richard Reid shoe-bombing attempt, the September 9th, 2004 bombings at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, 2005 London train bombings, as well other terrorist conspiracies. Also, the publication offers detailed instructions on how to easily obtain and combine chemical components, creating a successful device and instructions on operating these devices in the field. Moreover, there are also references as to how terrorists can successfully manipulate and exploit western security measures. The descriptions in the magazine offer any reader, regardless of technical skill or scientific knowledge, the ability to inflict immeasurable damage on al-Qaeda's enemies.
Key Points
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The magazine highlights the availability of bomb-making materials in countries around the world. There are very few safeguards in placewhich effectively protect citizens from domestic terrorists and the lethal devices they can construct using household products.
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Al-Qaeda militants develop their terror campaigns with the hope they will have a "global impact." Direct quotes from terrorists in the magazine explain how they strive to engineer attacks which are methodically unique and catastrophic in terms of western fatalities.
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The bomb making procedures, security evasion techniques, and poison antidotes described in the magazine equip every reader with the lethal potential to plan and execute their own terror plot. The circulation of this magazine increases the risk of attack everywhere in the world.
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Al-Qaeda’s terror campaigns are not confined to locations in western countries nor are they normally directed towards tactical geographic installments. Instead, al-Qaeda terror campaigns are aimed at citizens in any western center, including tourist hot-spots around the globe.
Implications
The magazine is part of an al-Qaeda propaganda campaign to increase the number and severity of terrorist attacks in the western world. It is important to note that the tone of the rhetoric is more informational than fanatical or revolutionary. No matter how extremist the foundations of the jihadist movement actually are, al-Qaeda is establishing a more calculated and tactical strategy in order to successfully dismantle western security. Al-Qaeda does not have an extensive knowledge of western security measures, nor the technology to effectively sabotage our numerous security devices. However, their lack of expert knowledge does not diminish the potential threat they pose. Their knowledge and capabilities are certainly sufficient to cause implausible harm during a moment of western complacency or carelessness. In-depth analysis of the magazine offers conflicting views as to whether al-Qaeda’s motives lie in combatting the western presence in the Middle East, or in carrying out the religious war that is jihad. While western forces remain in the Middle East we cannot discern an answer. However, a premature departure from combat could leave us vulnerable to religious fundamentalists who seek to prolong the conflict.