Understanding Terror Networks

By Marc Sageman

Book Overview

For decades, a new type of terrorism has been quietly gathering ranks in the world. America's ability to remain oblivious to these new movements ended on September 11, 2001. The Islamist fanatics in the global Salafi jihad (the violent, revivalist social movement of which al Qaeda is a part) target the West, but their operations mercilessly slaughter thousands of people of all races and religions throughout the world. Marc Sageman challenges conventional wisdom about terrorism, observing that the key to mounting an effective defense against future attacks is a thorough understanding of the networks that allow these new terrorists to proliferate.

Based on intensive study of biographical data on 172 participants in the jihad, Understanding Terror Networks gives us the first social explanation of the global wave of activity. Sageman traces its roots in Egypt, gestation in Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan war, exile in the Sudan, and growth of branches worldwide, including detailed accounts of life within the Hamburg and Montreal cells that planned attacks on the United States.

U.S. government strategies to combat the jihad are based on the traditional reasons an individual was thought to turn to terrorism: poverty, trauma, madness, and ignorance. Sageman refutes all these notions, showing that, for the vast majority of the mujahedin, social bonds predated ideological commitment, and it was these social networks that inspired alienated young Muslims to join the jihad. These men, isolated from the rest of society, were transformed into fanatics yearning for martyrdom and eager to kill. The tight bonds of family and friendship, paradoxically enhanced by the tenuous links between the cell groups (making it difficult for authorities to trace connections), contributed to the jihad movement's flexibility and longevity. And although Sageman's systematic analysis highlights the crucial role the networks played in the terrorists' success, he states unequivocally that the level of commitment and choice to embrace violence were entirely their own.

Understanding Terror Networks combines Sageman's scrutiny of sources, personal acquaintance with Islamic fundamentalists, deep appreciation of history, and effective application of network theory, modeling, and forensic psychology. Sageman's unique research allows him to go beyond available academic studies, which are light on facts, and journalistic narratives, which are devoid of theory. The result is a profound contribution to our understanding of the perpetrators of 9/11 that has practical implications for the war on terror.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812238087
• ISBN13: 9780812238082
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Riveting Look Inside the Terrorist Networks

An outstanding book that provides the reader not only with the structure of terror networks, but also information as to why and how individuals and groups join the global jihad. Based on extensive research of known terrorists, the author, in my opinion, has drawn the proper conclusions and supports each of his claims in an easily understood manner. I especially liked the author's attempts to provide feasible actions that the government should consider to better attack these networks and improve the security of our nation. Additionally, I found the author's description of the type of individuals (age, marital status, education level etc.) that join these terrorist networks extremely interesting and surprising. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a fresh look inside the terrorist networks.

The Bottom Line

Unfortunately, I missed Mr. Sageman when he visited Europe, but some friends had the chance to speak with him and they praised his work. That lead me to read his book. It is a concise and highly readable volume regarding terrorist demographics, recruitment, networking, history of the Salafist Jihad and other baseline facts on the threat. While studying at Syracuse, I saw how similar Social Science research efforts tackled the myths surrounding other military, guerrilla, and terrorist groups throughout history. That well-grounded approach alone makes this book a "must" for any serious library on the topic.

THE BEST OVERVIEW OF THE GLOBAL ISLAMIST JIHAD CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET

3 yrs post 9-11 the study of terrorism has matured as has our understanding of Al Qaeda (AQ) and the global Salafi Jihad which it fostered and supports. Nowhere have I seen that informed perspective better reflected than in this book. The author presents the most ordered and easily understandable big picture account of the rise of modern Jihadism that I've yet read. While Kepel's excellent work (Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam) details the mechanics of the political/cultural context of the movements rise, this book gives a quick cogent yet surprisingly sufficient and accurate overview. I've read enough on the subject to know that Sageman is on target with his analysis and history. Many earlier works read like fragmented catalogues of facts, grasping for cogency. That is understandable, as most of us came into this game late, and are playing catch up. It is yet the more understandable, and challenging, as AQ itself continues to evolve and connipt. There are many books out there on all things terrorism related. If you're looking for a "big picture" overview of the subject, my advice is: instead of reading three or four of the others, buy this one and read it twice. It's that good.

Buy it - should be part of your personal library

Sageman's 'Understanding Terror Networks' is probably the best primer on the global salafist movement. The author begins with the 'Origins of the Jihad,' tracing the importance of ibn Taymiyya, Sayyid Qutb, the Muslim Brotherhood, etc. and does an excellent job of framing the movement in its historical context. In the next four chapters, Sageman discusses 'The Evolution of the Jihad,' 'The Mujahedin,' 'Joining the Jihad,' and 'Social Networks and the Jihad.' Other reviewers have mentioned some of the major take-aways from the book, however I believe that this book needs to be read in its entirety. Sageman does a fantastic job of debunking the myths propogated by the talking heads in the media, and enlightening readers with empirical analysis. I point interested readers to Hoffman's 'Inside Terrorism,' Anonymous's 'Through our Enemies' Eyes.' A superb analysis with a substantial bibliography for further reading. 'Understanding Terror Networks' is a gem. Buy it!

Outstanding Book! Deserves a Better Name!

A Superior Book! Mark Sageman's Understanding Terrorist Networks is really a ground breaking analysis of Al Qaeda's networks and personalities, not just run of the mill terrorist groups. The psychological breakdown of the membership is excellent and truely helpful to any professional in the field. I found only one conclusion in the empirical data I didn't agree with because it is an academic study rather than an intelligence agency study (i.e I believe there are more than four major sub-groups of Al Qeada, as many as 10, organized by a designated geographic command system and special mission teams versus an ethnographic association (the Maghrebs, Core Arabs, Arab Command and SE Asians ... but his identification of the four core groups of members in the network is fascinating and correct). This book is clearly one of the best studys of Al Qaeda and will be mandatory reading for my students. It is a model for future analytical studies. One suggestion, change the second edition name to Understanding Al Qaeda's Terrorist Networks.