by Roula Khalaf The Financial Times Al-Qaeda is usually portrayed as a collection of Islamist fanatics, bent on the destruction of democratic values and, as the US often says, the obliteration of the western "way of life". But four years after the September 11 terrorist attacks led to the devastation of the group's haven in Afghanistan, the remaining leadership appears to be … [Read more...]

Is it real? by Shaun Waterman United Press International WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- President Bush's unprecedented inclusion in his weekend radio address of a direct reference to a letter he said was written by al-Qaida's number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, highlights the fascinating insights it appears to offer into the inner workings of the group. But there are nagging … [Read more...]

Publishers Weekly January 24, 2005 The news last week that Doubleday has acquired a book based on the writings of the al-Qaeda braintrust has reverberated through the industry, as nearly everyone has something to say about the house's daring move. A publishing attorney called it dangerous, a retailer was anticipating a big sale and a competing house said the material may be … [Read more...]

by Victor Davis Hanson National Review Online Raymond Ibrahim was a former student of mine in Classics and Middle Eastern history, now living and working in Washington. He contacted me for some advice, as his former MA thesis advisor, months ago, saying that as part of his job as an archivist he had accidentally come across texts purportedly written years ago by bin Laden and … [Read more...]

by Edward Wyatt New York Times Doubleday will publish a collection of the translated writings of Al Qaeda leaders next year and will donate profits from the book to charities that are aiding American victims of terrorism. The book, tentatively titled "The Al Qaeda Reader," will consist of writings by Ayman al-Zawahiri, Al Qaeda's second in command, plus material attributed to … [Read more...]