An expert has warned that two decades after its 9/11 attacks on the U.S., which involved 19 members hijacking four flights and killing 2,977 people, the notorious al Qaeda network continues to be the world’s “most dangerous terrorist group.”
While organizations such as ISIS and Hamas have recently become well-known for their violent methods, Bill Roggio, an expert analyst and senior editor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ “Long War Journal,” informed Digital that al Qaeda’s current threat is considerably broader.
Roggio stated, “Al Qaeda continues to be the most dangerous terrorist group 24 years post-9/11.” He added, “Given the Taliban’s backing, the circumstances in Afghanistan are significantly more dire than before 9/11.”
Roggio elaborated that al Qaeda is not only operating training camps in at least 13 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, but its worldwide activities have also steadily grown over the past two decades throughout the Middle East and Africa.
“Its global structure is still intact,” Roggio noted. “It likely controls over a third of Somalia, and its supposed former affiliate – whose ties I believe are not fully severed – now leads Syria’s government through Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.”
He further commented, “President [Donald] Trump even endorsed the takeover, the removal of Bashar al-Assad, which I believe was an error.” He described the group as “clever and dedicated.”
Roggio identified his primary concern regarding terrorism, nearly two-and-a-half decades on, as the safe havens granted to these groups and the public’s perception of them.
He stated, “My paramount concern regarding the terrorist threat is the increasing availability of safe havens for these organizations.” He cited examples: “Afghanistan, where al Qaeda runs training camps; Iran, which continues to offer sanctuary; Iraq, where Shia militias are allowed to function; and al-Shabab, al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia, which maintains safe havens in its controlled territories.”
Roggio added, “When terrorist groups are afforded the time, space, and security to plan, carry out, recruit, and raise funds, they become capable of orchestrating attacks similar to 9/11, and they now possess such capabilities in numerous locations.”
Terrorist organizations have progressively acquired advanced weaponry, often via state backing provided to entities like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Furthermore, the readily available access to technological advancements such as AI and accessible tools like drones has intensified the threat posed by these groups.
Roggio also noted that these groups do not require access to state-of-the-art weaponry or advanced technology to execute their plans.
He remarked, “No one anticipated that box cutters and rudimentary flight training could result in 9/11, yet it occurred.”
Roggio explained that groups which were either non-existent or mere “shadows” operating at a cellular level before 9/11 now command “armies across the globe.”
He further highlighted a growing trend of overt public support for groups responsible for widespread atrocities and human rights abuses.
“Observing attitudes towards jihadist organizations, such as the current support for Hamas, the increase in antisemitism, and the decline in support for Israel – these all suggest a favorable trend for jihadist groups.”
He concluded, “For me, these signal that we have failed in the war on terror.”
Roggio attributed the challenge to a lack of “will” to thoroughly confront the causes of rising extremism and develop effective countermeasures, emphasizing that this requires more than military action and must include countering radical ideologies.
He noted, “We defeated Nazi Germany,” indicating that “it’s achievable. We possessed the resolve then.”
Roggio stated, “Our reluctance, our unwillingness, and our insufficient commitment in these nations have empowered them.” He concluded, “These threats will endure until we eliminate state sponsorship and effectively address those who spread radical ideologies.”