Al Qaeda: Profile and Threat Assessment

Publication Date: February 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: International relations

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Abstract:

Most U.S. and international intelligence institutions, as well as outside experts, agree that Al Qaeda retains the intention to conduct major attacks in the United States and against U.S. interests abroad. These institutions also appear to agree that U.S. counter efforts in the past few years have weakened Al Qaeda's central leadership structure and capabilities, and that Al Qaeda's sympathizers now represent the preeminent threat from this organization. However, there is little agreement among experts over the degree to which these changes have materially reduced the overall Al Qaeda threat. This report will be updated as warranted by developments. See also, CRS Report RL32759, Al Qaeda: Statements and Evolving Ideology.