Enemies Near and Far: How Jihadist Groups Strategize, Plot, and Learn

The transnational jihadist movement has proved resilient and adaptable, with many analysts underestimating their tactics and strategies. Two experts, Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Thomas Joscelyn, use newly available documents from al-Qaeda and ISIS to explain how these groups think, grow, and adapt. They recast militant groups as learning organizations, detailing their embrace of strategic, tactical, and technological innovation. The book provides a sweeping account of these groups' experimentation over time and explores their most effective strategic and tactical moves, including attacks targeting aircraft and the use of the internet. It also examines how to anticipate future threats, analyzing how militants are likely to deploy emerging technologies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 05 July 2022
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Despite the United States' unwavering focus on combating militant groups for two decades, the transnational jihadist movement has proven remarkably resilient and adaptable. Many analysts and practitioners have underestimated these militant organizations, viewing them as unsophisticated or unchanging despite the ongoing evolution of their tactics and strategies.

In their book, Enemies Near and Far, two internationally recognized experts delve into the inner workings of jihadist groups, utilizing newly available documents from al-Qaeda and ISIS. Through the lens of organizational learning, Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Thomas Joscelyn reimagine these militant organizations as dynamic learning entities, highlighting their embrace of strategic, tactical, and technological innovation. Drawing on a wealth of theories, they offer a comprehensive account of these groups' experimentation over time. Gartenstein-Ross and Joscelyn shed light on the most effective strategic and tactical moves employed by jihadist groups, such as attacks targeting aircraft and the utilization of the internet to inspire and direct lone attackers. They also examine jihadists' remarkable ability to adapt their strategy based on the changing political landscape. While initial efforts to enhance their capabilities may often yield mixed results, these attempts should be viewed as part of an ongoing learning process—a journey that persists until these groups achieve a breakthrough.

Enemies Near and Far provides an unprecedented historical and strategic perspective on how jihadist groups learn and evolve. It delves into the mechanisms by which these organizations acquire new knowledge, skills, and capabilities. By examining the patterns and trends in their experimentation, the book offers valuable insights into how to anticipate future threats. The authors analyze how militants are likely to deploy a range of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, and cyber warfare, as tools in their pursuit of global dominance.

In conclusion, Enemies Near and Far is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the complex and ever-evolving nature of jihadist groups. By challenging prevailing narratives and providing a comprehensive understanding of their learning processes, the book offers valuable insights into counterterrorism strategies and the challenges posed by these organizations. It is a must-read for policymakers, security professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of global terrorism.

Weight: 724g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231195256