Breaking the Bonds between al-Qa’ida and Its Affiliate Organizations examines the dynamics of al-Qa’ida-affiliate relationships and the interests each party brings to these partnerships.
Highlights from the paper include:
• Factors that determine why local groups decide to join or not to join with al-Qa’ida.
• Benefits al-Qa’ida and local groups gain from affiliation.
• Dynamics that lead to frayed al-Qa’ida-affiliate relationships.
Byman argues that by exploiting the areas where al-Qa’ida and its affiliates do not agree, the United States and its allies can limit al-Qa’ida’s influence and expansion around the world.
