Brachman is an internationally recognized counterterrorism specialist, author and public lecturer. In 2003, he served as a Graduate Fellow at the CIA’s Counterterrorist Center, whose research is focused on al Qaeda ideology and strategy. In 2004, Brachman joined the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.Brachman is the director of Cronus Global security consulting and currently working on his newbook, “The Next Bin Laden.” Al Qaeda members often write about Brachman attempting to counter his research or disparage him.
Do youthink the leadership with try to backfill the void in Pakistan since the possible killing of Atiyah Abd al Rahman, al Qaeda’s newest number two?
Well, I think they still have a bench on the operational side… But I don’t believe that Atiyah’s death means that [al Qaeda’s] general command’s ability to plan and direct attacks locally will be compromised. Rather, where al Qaeda loses most is in their ability to direct the global movement — both in terms of Atiyah’s ability to wield influence over the regional commands but also with regard to being able to influence the global support movement. So, yes, al Qaeda shouldn’t have too much of an issue replacing Atiyah on the operational
level. It’s on the strategic and ideological level that they are in deep trouble.
Will al Qaedacentral look for a new home-base now considering U.S. drone strikes have madeit almost impossible for them to gain any traction?
It seems to me that they have to wait this one out. There is really no place to go, besides Iran, at this point.
Or will the franchisesin Yemen and North Africa backfill the leadership void?
There’s no doubt at the al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula leadership in Yemen is probably eager to jump into a leadership role with regard to the al Qaeda global movement. But right now, they must continue deferring to [al Qaeda leader] Ayman al-Zawahiri. Once he’s dead, however, it’s a new ballgame.
— Sara A. Carter
