This assignment is a graduate level research paper related to course objectives three and four.

Demonstrate your ability to research and synthesize your findings related to assessing the al Qaeda terrorist network and then critique the counter-terrorism practices that have been employed against them since 9/11. Address both of the below topics.

Evaluate the al Qaeda terrorist group: Describe and assess the varying characteristics of the al Qaeda network including the ‘franchises’ or associated movements. What are the differing scholarly opinions of Al Qaeda and the threat this hydra organization poses?
Critique counter-terrorism practices targeted at al Qaeda: How do the National Strategies for Counter Terrorism from 2003, 2011, and 2018 differ? How do these three security and counter-terrorism practices compare in terms of the terrorism threat faced at their respective publication date, and into the future. Use the frameworks from Yim (2004) and Kean and Hamilton (2017) for comparison.

Technical Requirements

Your paper must be at a minimum of 8-10 pages (the Title and Reference pages do not count towards the minimum limit).
Scholarly and credible references should be used. A good rule of thumb is at least 2 scholarly sources per page of content.
Type in Times New Roman, 12 point and double space.
Students will follow the current APA Style as the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework.
Points will be deducted for the use of Wikipedia or encyclopedic type sources. It is highly advised to utilize books, peer-reviewed journals, articles, archived documents, etc.
All submissions will be graded using the assignment rubric.

Yim, R. A. (2004, February 3). Evaluation of Selected Characteristics in National Strategies Related to Terrorism. U.S. Government Accountability Office GAO-04-408T. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/assets/120/110567.pdf

Kean, T. H. & Hamilton, L.H. (2017, September). The Limits of U.S. Counterterrorism Policy to Date, in Defeating Terrorists, Not Terrorism: Assessing U.S. Counterterrorism Policy from 9/11 to ISIS. (pages 44-57). Bi-Partisan Policy Center. Retrieved from https://bipartisanpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BPC-National-Security-Defeating-Terrorist-Not-Terrorism.pdf

National Strategy for Counterterrorism 2003. Retrieved from ADA452310.pdf (dtic.mil)

National Strategy for Counterterrorism 2011, Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/counterterrorism_strategy.pdf

Note: The National Strategy for Counterterrorism of 2018 will be reviewed in week 8 as a part of the discussion on the future of terrorism and counterterrorism.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Structuring and Writing Your Graduate Research Paper

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Objectives

Before you begin researching, clearly grasp the two major components of your paper:

Evaluation of the al Qaeda terrorist group and its affiliates.
Critique of U.S. counter-terrorism strategies using specific frameworks and documents.

Step 2: Draft a Working Title and Outline

Create a concise, academic-sounding title that reflects both areas of analysis. Then outline your paper with the following structure:

Title Page (APA formatted)
Abstract (approx. 150–250 words summarizing your paper)
Introduction
- Brief context on terrorism post-9/11
- Introduction to al Qaeda and counter-terrorism strategies
- Thesis statement previewing both main tasks
Body
- Section 1: Evaluation of al Qaeda
  - Historical background and formation
  - Core leadership vs. franchises (e.g., AQAP, AQIM, al-Shabaab)
  - Operational and ideological characteristics
  - Scholarly perspectives on the al Qaeda threat
- Section 2: Critique of U.S. Counter-Terrorism Practices
  - Overview of 2003, 2011, and 2018 National Strategies
  - Application of Yim (2004) framework: goals, tools, implementation
  - Application of Kean and Hamilton (2017) framework: strengths and limitations
  - Comparative analysis of strategies over time
Conclusion
- Summarize key findings
- Reflect on effectiveness and future challenges
References (APA formatted)

Step 3: Conduct Focused Research

Use scholarly databases like JSTOR, ProQuest, or Google Scholar. Focus on:

Peer-reviewed articles on al Qaeda’s structure and ideology
Critical analyses of U.S. counter-terrorism policies
Sources directly referencing or applying Yim and Kean & Hamilton frameworks

Remember: 2 scholarly sources per page means at least 16–20 credible sources for an 8–10 page paper.

Step 4: Start Writing with the Body First

Begin with the body sections (al Qaeda evaluation and strategy critique) since they hold your core analysis. Write in clear, formal academic tone, using:

Topic sentences to guide the reader
Evidence from scholarly works
APA in-text citations consistently

After the body, circle back to write your Introduction and Conclusion.

Step 5: Format According to APA Style

Use Times New Roman, 12 pt., double-spaced
Include a Title Page, Abstract, Headings, and References
In-text citations should match reference entries exactly

Step 6: Revise and Proofread

Review your paper for:

Clarity and flow of argument
Proper integration of sources
Grammar, spelling, and APA compliance

Use tools like Grammarly or a peer review before submitting.

Step 7: Final Checklist Before Submission

✅ 8–10 full pages (excluding title and references)
✅ At least 16–20 scholarly references
✅ APA format throughout
✅ Both assignment objectives addressed
✅ Assignment rubric reviewed

Evaluating al Qaeda and U.S. Counter-Terrorism Strategies