Insurgent Design: Re-Emergence of Al-Qa'ida from 9/11 to the Present - Syria, South Asia, Warfare Technology, Enterprise in a Jihadi Market, Exploiting Emergent Battlefields, Federated Macro Structure

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Insurgent Design: Re-Emergence of Al-Qa'ida from 9/11 to the Present - Syria, South Asia, Warfare Technology, Enterprise in a Jihadi Market, Exploiting Emergent Battlefields, Federated Macro Structure by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781370726134
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: December 16, 2016
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781370726134
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: December 16, 2016
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Analysts disagree on how to characterize al-Qa'ida's evolution. One perspective regards jihadi-Islamism in general to be self-marginalizing. A second perspective describes a merging of discrete jihadist grand strategies that is considered symptomatic of the decline of al-Qa'ida and its allies. A third finds that al-Qa'ida is gathering strength. This study expands upon the gathering strength perspective, contending that al-Qa'ida's successes are derived from its design orientation and competence. Al-Qa'ida agents have vigorously redesigned their transnational system to adapt to a profoundly hostile and unpredictable environment. For al-Qa'ida and its brethren, the highest rate of adaptation is occurring on the battlefield, as they experiment with varied technologies of warfare, rather than in debate over grand strategic ideas. Where before there were fleeting, desultory actions by terroristic cells, now maturing organizations vie for territorial control, establishing jihadi emirates and proto-states. To respond effectively to the situation, Western understanding of al-Qa'ida and the wider system of jihadi-Islamist insurgency must evolve apace.

The application of a design lens to the study of al-Qa'ida contributes to improved understanding of the organization's persistence and pattern of re-emergence. It also illuminates how the United States ought to respond to the challenges posed by al-Qa'ida and other jihadi-Islamist groups in the future. The implications of al-Qa'ida's design orientation and competence are numerous. First, al-Qa'ida design agents work within an increasingly expansive, energetic and competitive jihadi market—where competition stands to both fragment and advance collective jihadist causes. Second, the broad field of jihadi-Islamism—in which al-Qa'ida played a leading role for the better part of a decade and half—displays characteristics of a complex adaptive system that is self-organizing and co-evolving with its environment.

Third, it appears that al-Qa'ida's evolution over the last decade-and-a-half is analogous—albeit at a sub-state, inter-organizational level—to the process of state formation through warfare articulated by Charles Tilly in 1992. Whereas Tilly articulates how "war makes states and states make war,"8 in this case, jihadist organizations make insurgency and insurgency makes organizations that are more robust. Increasingly these organizations manifest state-like characteristics in the territories in which they operate—a phenomenon that is not restricted to the self-declared Islamic State, itself an al-Qa'ida offshoot. To contend with an emergent jihadi-Islamist insurgency effectively, Western understanding of the Qa'ida phenomenon is compelled to evolve apace.

This study is organized as follows: the first section reviews existing perspectives on how to characterize al-Qa'ida's evolution; the second elaborates on the design approach, and then proceeds with an examination of the Qa'ida organization's design competence; and the third presents implications of that examination.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Analysts disagree on how to characterize al-Qa'ida's evolution. One perspective regards jihadi-Islamism in general to be self-marginalizing. A second perspective describes a merging of discrete jihadist grand strategies that is considered symptomatic of the decline of al-Qa'ida and its allies. A third finds that al-Qa'ida is gathering strength. This study expands upon the gathering strength perspective, contending that al-Qa'ida's successes are derived from its design orientation and competence. Al-Qa'ida agents have vigorously redesigned their transnational system to adapt to a profoundly hostile and unpredictable environment. For al-Qa'ida and its brethren, the highest rate of adaptation is occurring on the battlefield, as they experiment with varied technologies of warfare, rather than in debate over grand strategic ideas. Where before there were fleeting, desultory actions by terroristic cells, now maturing organizations vie for territorial control, establishing jihadi emirates and proto-states. To respond effectively to the situation, Western understanding of al-Qa'ida and the wider system of jihadi-Islamist insurgency must evolve apace.

The application of a design lens to the study of al-Qa'ida contributes to improved understanding of the organization's persistence and pattern of re-emergence. It also illuminates how the United States ought to respond to the challenges posed by al-Qa'ida and other jihadi-Islamist groups in the future. The implications of al-Qa'ida's design orientation and competence are numerous. First, al-Qa'ida design agents work within an increasingly expansive, energetic and competitive jihadi market—where competition stands to both fragment and advance collective jihadist causes. Second, the broad field of jihadi-Islamism—in which al-Qa'ida played a leading role for the better part of a decade and half—displays characteristics of a complex adaptive system that is self-organizing and co-evolving with its environment.

Third, it appears that al-Qa'ida's evolution over the last decade-and-a-half is analogous—albeit at a sub-state, inter-organizational level—to the process of state formation through warfare articulated by Charles Tilly in 1992. Whereas Tilly articulates how "war makes states and states make war,"8 in this case, jihadist organizations make insurgency and insurgency makes organizations that are more robust. Increasingly these organizations manifest state-like characteristics in the territories in which they operate—a phenomenon that is not restricted to the self-declared Islamic State, itself an al-Qa'ida offshoot. To contend with an emergent jihadi-Islamist insurgency effectively, Western understanding of the Qa'ida phenomenon is compelled to evolve apace.

This study is organized as follows: the first section reviews existing perspectives on how to characterize al-Qa'ida's evolution; the second elaborates on the design approach, and then proceeds with an examination of the Qa'ida organization's design competence; and the third presents implications of that examination.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book The Story of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps: The Evolution and Development of the NCO Corps, Portraits of NCOs in Action, Selected Documents by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Human Factor: Biomedicine in the Manned Space Program to 1980 - Unique Insights into Biological and Life Science Research from Mercury, Gemini and Apollo through Skylab (NASA SP-4213) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Civil Engineer Guide to Expeditionary Force Protection (Air Force Handbook 10-222, Volume 3) - Barriers, Bollards, Barricades by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Interdiction in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam: Oral Interviews Capturing the Recollections and Insights of Former Air Leaders - Partridge, Smart, Vogt, Sicily, Normandy, France by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 Tragedy: Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) Final Report, Gehman Board Report to NASA by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Biodiesel Fuel Handling and Use Guidelines for Users, Blenders, Distributors: Quality Specifications, Benefits and Drawbacks, Issues and Questions, Definitions, MSDS by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Veterinary Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures Field Manual - FM 8-10-18 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Marines in World War II Commemorative Series: The Final Campaign: Marines in the Victory on Okinawa, Ryukyuan Islands, Death of Ernie Pyle, Shuri Islands by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Failed State 2030: Nigeria - A Case Study, Tribal Conflict, Civil War, Islam and Religious Strife, Terrorism, Crime, Niger Delta, OPEC, Military Coups, Goodluck Jonathan by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Adult Cancer Sourcebook: Adrenocortical Carcinoma, Cancer of the Adrenal Cortex - Clinical Data for Patients, Families, and Physicians by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Are Muslim Diaspora in the U.S. Vulnerable to Islamic Extremism? Four Terrorist Case Studies, Boston Bombers Tsarnaev, Analysis of Role of Governance, Economics, Religion, U.S. Homeland Involvement by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Turning the Vertical Flank: Airpower as a Maneuver Force in the Theater Campaign: Historic Analysis from Ancient Greece and Rome to the Napoleonic Era and Gettysburg, Normandy, Yom Kippur War by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Climate Change and Global Warming Encyclopedia: Sweeping Coverage of All Aspects of Carbon Dioxide and Greenhouse Gases, Sea Levels, Ecosystems, Computer Models, Extreme Weather, Energy and Carbon by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Physical Readiness Training for Combat MCRP 3-02A by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Effectiveness of Army Music in Accomplishing the Army Public Affairs Mission: Survey of Neuroscience Literature, Review of Audience Member Emotional Comments About Joy, Pride and Patriotism by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy