Now a global terrorist network, Al Qaeda’s definitive objective is to create a new world order--an Islamic caliphate. Their seven-phase strategy spans 20 years, attacking the "Far Enemy" (the United States) and the "Near Enemy" (corrupt Muslim states), all before standing up the new Islamic state that rejects Western influence. Here are Al Qaeda's Seven Phases:
Phase I: The Awakening Phase (2000 – 2003) includes the opening salvo, the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Phase II: The Opening the Eyes Phase (2003 – 2006) includes opening a front in Iraq, establishing a base of operations, and moving outward.
Phase III: The Rising and Standing Up Phase (2007 – 2010) includes attacks on Israel and other countries in the region.
Phase IV: The Rejuvenation Phase (2010 – 2013) in which al Qaeda will mount direct attacks at resistant regimes to topple and replace them with Islamic governments while simultaneously mounting attacks on oil supplies, cyber attacks, and other assaults on the US economy to exhaust and overextend US power.
Phase V: The Announcing the Nation Phase (2013 – 2016) where an Islamic caliphate will be declared, Western and Israeli power will be in final decline, and a new Islamic world order will emerge with the new alternative superpowers being China and India.
Phase VI: The Comprehensive Confrontation Phase (2016 + ) where the Islamic caliphate’s army will fight the “global infidel” in a final showdown to establish believers’ rule globally.
Phase VII: The Final Victory Phase (2020) in which the complete caliphate will emerge to unite all Muslims under one Islamic government.
“This strategy represents a new, far more aggressive sort of militancy and radicalism than anything that preceded it…As more recruits are funneled through the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, a greater pool of experience will be available to carry out these objectives. This experience, combined with an increasing internet capability and proven tactics, techniques, and procedures, indicates that a new generation of Muslim radical Islamic groups will be in a position to act in accordance with these strategic guidelines.”
-Center for International Issues Research
