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Strategy, History, & Goals

Ends, ways, and means. Terrorist organizations are familiar with these concepts and the development of strategy too. Over the course of our history the CTC has studied and released reports and articles about terrorist goals and strategy. Browse the content below to learn more.

May 9, 2018

Boko Haram Beyond the Headlines: Analyses of Africa’s Enduring Insurgency

Jacob Zenn, Abdulbasit Kassim, Elizabeth Pearson, Atta Barkindo, Idayat Hassan, Zacharias Pieri, Omar Mahmoud

February 13, 2018

Targeted Terror: The Suicide Bombers of al-Shabaab

Jason Warner, Ellen Chapin

June 28, 2017

The Fight Goes On: The Islamic State’s Continuing Military Efforts in Liberated Cities

Daniel Milton, Muhammad al-`Ubaydi

August 1, 2016

Doku Umarov, Founder of the Caucasus Emirate: From Secularism to Jihadism (Jihadi Bios Project)

Michael Fredholm

September 26, 2025

Feature Commentary: Confronting Cartels: Military Considerations South of the Border

Brian Michael Jenkins

September 8, 2025

The Global State of al-Qa`ida 24 Years After 9/11

Colin Clarke, Clara Broekaert

August 20, 2025

Understanding China’s New Counterterrorism Ambitions in Africa

Jason Warner

Tehran’s Homeland Option: Terror Pathways for Iran to Strike in the United States

Matthew Levitt

July 3, 2024

Caliphate Complaint Box 395

Caliphate Complaint Box 394

Caliphate Complaint Box 393

Caliphate Complaint Box 392

October 23, 2007

Al-Qaida Records Disclose Group’s Strategy

National Public Radio

June 10, 2006

With Brutality, Icon of Jihad Fueled Insurgency

The Boston Globe

April 2, 2007

The GSPC: Newest Franchise in al-Qaida’s Global Jihad

Lianne Kennedy Boudali

December 1, 2006

Abu Musab Al Suri: Architect of the New Al Qaeda

Paul Cruickshank, Mohannad Hage Ali

October 2, 2006

After Zarqawi

Brian Fishman

June 10, 2006

The Post-Zarqawi Leadership Dilemma

Brian Fishman

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