[20030523]RS21529_伊拉克冲突后的基地组织.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21529May 23, 2003Al Qaeda after the Iraq Conflictname redactedSpecialist in TerrorismForeign Affairs, Defense and Trade DivisionSummaryThe May 12, 2003, suicide bombings of three Western housing compounds inRiyadh, Saudi Arabia reopened questions about the strength and viability of Al Qaedain the post-Iraq conflict environment. The apprehension of a number of senior Al Qaedaleaders in recent months, combined with the absence of major terrorist attacks duringthe military campaign in Iraq, had led some to believe that Al Qaeda was severelycrippled and unable to launch major attacks. Others argued that the organization wasin transition to a more decentralized structure, had gained new recruits, and might evenbe a growing threat. This report analyzes current viewpoints about the state of Al Qaedaand the threat it poses to the United States. It will be updated as events warrant. The May 12, 2003, bombings of three Western housing compounds in Riyadh, SaudiArabia marked an apparent evolution in the behavior of Al Qaeda that some expertsbelieve provides insight into the vi