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Comprehensive Book Exposes World's Most Notorious Terrorist Group Now Available

2 May, 2001

Arlington, Va. - The International Center for Terrorism Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies today announced the publication of Usama bin Laden's al-Qaida: Profile of a Terrorist Network by Yonah Alexander and Michael S. Swetnam.

A loose international network in over 55 countries, the al-Qaida has been responsible for spectacular terrorist operations, such as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in New York, the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa, and is allegedly linked to the attack of the destroyer USS Cole in Aden harbor, Yemen, in 2000.

The book is designed to provide an easily accessible reference guide for academics, policy makers, reporters and others interested in one of the most notorious terrorist groups. It aims to increase the understanding of al-Qaida by exposing much of its mystique, placing it in perspective as one of the many challenges facing the international community in the 21st century. The volume contains sections on the al-Qaida's ideology, membership, financial resources, affiliated groups, areas of operation, tactics and capabilities, and targets and attacks.

About the Authors

Yonah Alexander is senior fellow and director of the International Center for Terrorism Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. He has published over 70 books in the field of terrorism and international affairs and is founding editor of Terrorism: An International Journal.

Michael S. Swetnam is president and chairman of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and serves as a member of the Technical Advisory Group to the U.S. Senate Special Select Committee on Intelligence. He has published a four-volume set on Cyber Terrorism and Information Warfare (with Alexander).

To obtain review copies of the book (press only), please contact Craig Bannister or Jim Kirkhope at 703-525-0770.