Abstract
This paper examines the use of ideology as a strategic tool by al
Qaeda, arguing that even though the entity may be militarily
weakened, it still is ideologically ascendant and is thus capable of
leading global Jihadism even in a militarily weakened form. The
author examines four ideological imperatives of the entity viz-aviz military might, narratives, economic Jihad, and territoriality,
arguing that merely an augmentation of fire power will not be
effective against the organization’s ideological prowess.
