Chatham House report : Al-Qaeda still significant but losing ground

Al-Qaeda still significant but losing ground

Friday 8 September 2006

Key messages:

• Al-Qaeda's image as a global player has been unintentionally enhanced by the US and its allies

• However, the US-led globally coordinated security measures have seriously undermined Al-Qaeda’s communication, finance and recruitment networks

• One of Al-Qaeda’s most significant propaganda gains is its successful creation of a commonly held view that there is a link between terrorism and regional crises - e.g. Israel-Palestine and Iraq

• Al-Qaeda has lost support with the 'Muslim street' - although it has disturbed the political status quo in the Middle East and prompted further terrorist attacks in Madrid and London