Is the real goal of Al Qaeda to attack the west? Is it to take over Muslim Governments?
828083
Theres a little book out there thats a biography of al-Zawahiri, Osamas right hand man, written by an ex-militant islamist (who now prefers peaceful methods) Montasser Al-Zayyat who was imprisoned with Dr Zawahiri. In it he talks about the formation of Al Queda and other Islamist movements and talks about how generally, militant islamists aim to take over Muslim governments who they percieve as having a different view of islam, such as the Egyptian government or the Turkish, also of course to destroy Israel as a seconday goal. However al Qaeda is different, its the only one to openly attack America, and no-one seems completely sure why the change from the 'near enemy' to the 'far enemy' as Osama refers to us. So I cant give you a real answer as to their aims, but it might give you something to think about...
394248
If you kill the religionist the capitalist will take over.  If you kill the terrorists the religionist take over.  There's no end, learn it now.  \n\nPeople will kill each other for every reason under the sun other than what they're REALLY killing for which is: LAND, POWER, or WOMEN\n\nPeople are very simple, but they like to think they're complex by killing for a "reason".
1033415
If I was a Shite in Iraq, I'd want to come to America.  No reason to stick around waiting for a so-called fellow Muslim to use me for a reason to start a civil war for a perverted fascist ideology.  But then again, maybe they want to defend their land against the real enemy.  Radical Muslims that pervert religion.\nOr maybe they like economic opportunity and religious freedom.
608717
Only for the most radical and extreme elements of the Islam nations. Most rational people in that part of the world know that only bad things happen when WMD's are "in play". Being the cynic that I am, I could foresee all kinds of social and political unrest between the extremists and contemporary citizens, that is IF they stand up to the extemists....we'll see, if not, Holy Sh*t (no pun intended).
703587
A more important rule:\nIf enemies attack or invade an islamic land, it is up to the muslims to fight and protect it.\n\nThe prophecy is true, no doubt, but we can't just sit there and do nothing.
549045
the terrorists can and will use any form available to them to display their propaganda, not just the internet.\n\nWhat is their cause, no body really knows, but my feeling they are trying to make other nations hate the real Islamic people, (some of which I have met).  these people are friendlier than what people make them out to be.  After all they do share their peace with others.
1126668
Of course not.. al qaeda don follow any religion.. they're just power mad and love the fact that they can bomb places and chop heads at their liking. Islam is just an excuse they're using.. trying to make themselves look good, like martyrs or something.they don follow islam.. taliban is just a woman hating group of chauvinists who just want to rape women all the time and keep them locked up.Again.. they do not follow islam.. they're just power mad!
737628
He has a good point. We're not really targeting the key players, we're not making it difficult for them to recruit by killing the enemy in large numbers, and we're not saying, "HEY! Moderate Muslim dude, tell your fundamentalist neighbor to quit blowing people up!"\n\n\nNo wonder we'll eventually lose this war and the Middle East will become a degenerate, ignorant sinkhole.
1082187
Maybe coz then the western people would come to know of the united strength of Muslims and the western powers fear the ideal system of governance Caliphate has to offer. In addition, I think the western powers are afraid that the negative impressions they have spread about Islam would vanish from Western people's hearts when they see an ideal and just government system.
745558
Terrorism is both an ideology and a tactic.  Their goals are wanting change.  It depends on what terrorist organization you are talking about.  Most in South America their goals were to overthrow the current government.  And terrorism was their tactic, guerilla warfare.  In the Middle East it is more of an ideology, they are claiming their religion wants them to do this, hence they call it a Jihad.  But it is also a tactic because they use terrorism to try and achieve their goals, which is to get rid of all infidels, which are us, non-Muslims.
1092819
I think we are unchartered waters on this one.  We have never fought an enemy of this nature before so where to draw the line and how far to take it will depend on the world's willingness to stop the terror attacks.  As we saw with Spain, not all countries view this war the same.  But, unless there is a concerted effort on the part of all governments that value freedom to destroy the terrorists throughout the world we will never end this.  Afghanistan and Iraq are the tip of the iceberg.  The Islamic terrorists, and make no mistake that that is who this war is directed at, have the ability to travel all over the world and use the tools of cowards to continue their jihad.  Since we are not fighting a standing army, and I doubt that our estimates of people involved in terrorist oganizations is close to accurate, we cannot know when we "get them all".  The ultimate solution will have to come from a coalition of world governments being willing to root out these organizations on their soil and drive them into a corner where they are considered, and please forgive the use of the term, lepers.  Once they are seen as un-touchable (in that no one wants to touch them or allow them safe haven) then we can talk about drawing lines.
769660
It all depends on your definition, and who is counting.\nIf some Sunni nut kills a bunch of Shi'ites, but not Americans, is he a terrorist?\n\nAl-Qaeda claims it has 12,000 members.
729966
can you site this... or are you using secret terrorist sources that you have?\n\nI would assume it's that they want to blow up Europe and America?\n\ncall me crazy...
962801
The radicals driven by religion because of promises of 72 virgins in heaven for waging Jihad against the west has affected us more than we think.\n\nThe HUNDREDS of BILLIONS of dollars spent on the war alone plus substancial millitary budgets have taken so much money away from other areas that need that money such as welfare, education, infrastructure.. and the list goes on.\n\nUnfortunately the terrorists in the middle east want to kill anyone who isn't a Muslim, and even if they are they'll kill you for being in the United States if you are not involved in such splinter cells.... Lukily they do not have that capability...yet.\n\nI hope this answers your question!
604086
this "crusade against terrorism" is just a lie and hidden tool to control the middle east and its oil. The actual US governement had said officially that its goal is to maintain USA hegemony in all ways, using everything they can (deinformation, mediatic manipulation ,lies, wars, military attacks, etc.). \nThis attitude is creating much more anger in all the world, and especially the in the muslim world, who feel the main to be targety. This anger mush a lot of muslims in the dark side of islamist terrorism.  The "war" against terrorism creates more terrorism..
151676
I agree that it is a tactic. I simply can not understand why we have not declared war on Al-Qaeda. The only reason I can dream up is that we are not interested in capturing bin Laden. With a declaration of war against them we could pretty much let all the countries know (including our own country) that we will get each and every member of Al-Qaeda that we can find. It is about time that we get some serious intelligence against these guys and actually "take it to them"\n\nI for one am sick and tired of us screwing around with this issue.\n\nIf I have to hear one more time "We havent been hit since 9/11" I am going to hurt someone. (We hadnt been hit for the eight years before that, but it did happen and it will happen again)
1104038
The "twin towers" as well as the Pentagon were not attacked by terrorists. They were attacked by our own government!! The "plan" was to get everyone "fired up" to attack the Islam nations, so we could get control of the world's oil supply. If you don't believe me check out the link! This is a VERY informative website!\n\nhttp://www.hugequestions.com/