Undercutting the Extreme Ideology Supporting Global Terrorism

<p>This paper addresses why the Al-Qaeda Associated Movement (AQAM) continues to exist and why the efforts taken by the United States and its Western allies have not ended the global War on Terror (WOT). AQAM uses its extreme ideology to exploit people who reside in failing states where the government is unable to provide basic services. In addition AQAM manipulates the Islamic religion to garner support for its goal of reestablishing an Islamic caliphate and bringing an end to Western influence in the Land of Islam. Finally AQAM masterfully uses the internet to conduct operations and spread its extreme ideas. These actions provide fuel for the Islamic jihad against the West and allowed AQAM to garner the popular support which it needs to survive. Until the US-led efforts in the global WOT undercuts the extreme ideology the terrorists espouse there will be continued support for AQAM across the globe. In analyzing the past insurgencies of the Philippines Israel and Malaysia it became evident the popular support for the insurgencies is heavily influenced by the government's actions. The ruling government's actions and words together must be credible and genuine or it loses legitimacy. Therefore in order to win the US-led global WOT the United States requires an information czar to coordinate the information operations and public affairs needed to counter the extreme ideas the terrorists espouse. In addition all US Government (USG) and non-government actions must be applied in a coherent effort to win the hearts and minds of the people. These actions must be married up with a clear and concise information campaign or the actions will appear to be disjointed and self-serving.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>