Global Threat: A Comparative Analysis of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS)

Abstract

The transformation of terrorism from Al-Qaeda to the Islamic State (IS) has created new security challenges. This article examines the threats posed by these two groups by discussing their ideologies, structures and capabilities. Unlike local terrorist groups like the Afghan Taliban, the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda pose a global threat. While assessing the prospects of the IS in Afghanistan, the article also briefly looks at the Afghan Taliban. The IS which was initially fighting the „near enemy‟- the Iraqi and Syrian regimes, has now changed its strategy by equally focusing on the „far enemy‟ as well, manifested in its high profile attacks in Europe and other places beyond the Middle East. The authors recommend that a comprehensive global strategy is required to eradicate this growing menace of organised terrorism.