Research Paper on:
The Terrorist Structure of Al Qaida

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
intended to make the American people hate this organization as much as this organization hates Americans, hating them to the point where Americans wish that all Al-Qaida members dead. With  that reality in mind it seems important to closely examine this network of terrorists to more adequately understand their foundations and their influence. Selection of Victims and Targets  In comprehending how the Al-Qaida goes about selecting victims and targets it is imperative to understand something of their purpose. "The stated purpose, supported by their operations, is to remove  the U.S. from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and if possible, the world arena. The Arab core of Al-Qaida follow a radical form of Wahhabism, which is already a highly  puritanical form of Islam" (Cryptome, 2001). They believe that the existence of the Western civilization is an attack upon them and as such target victims accordingly. "Prior to 2001, Al-Qaida  attacked three different sorts of target profiles-civilian, diplomatic, and military targets-all without success in achieving their purpose. It could be argued that the attacks were the message, and that mass  casualties was the intention; shifting the target profile would then appear to be a demonstration of capabilities, range, and creativity" (Cryptome, 2001). It becomes obvious that their targets are  generally those buildings and structures which seem to make a very loud statement regarding their hatred of the Western world. In the case of the September 11th bombings we see  that the Pentagon and the World Trade Center were hit, both very representative of the way of American life both economically and politically. Media Manipulation and Propaganda In  terms of media manipulation and propaganda it is all but impossible to see where the Al-Qaidas starts and ours begins, or the other way around. For example, the anthrax attacks