Congressional Research Service

Al Qaeda and Affiliates: Historical Perspective, Global Presence, and Implications for U.S. Policy

Al Qaeda (AQ) has evolved into a significantly different terrorist organization than the one that perpetrated the September 11, 2001, attacks. At the time, Al Qaeda was composed mostly of a core cadre of veterans of the Afghan insurgency against the Soviets, with a centralized leadership structure, made up mostly of Egyptians. Most of the organization’s plots either emanated from the top or were approved by the leadership. Some analysts describe pre-9/11 Al Qaeda as akin to a corporation, with Osama Bin Laden acting as an agile Chief Executive Officer issuing orders and soliciting ideas from subordinates.

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North Atlantic Treaty Organization

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan National Army Strength & Laydown

In accordance with all the relevant Security Council Resolutions, ISAF’s main role is to assist the Afghan government in the establishment of a secure and stable environment. To this end, ISAF forces are conducting security and stability operations throughout the country together with the Afghan National Security Forces and are directly involved in the development of the Afghan National Army through mentoring, training and equipping.

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Army Guide: What Should You do if You Spot an IED/VBIED/SVBIED/PBIED?

If stopping the vehicle puts it within the estimated casualty radius of the possible IED/VBIED, the driver should speed up and quickly move through the danger area to a tactically safe position and distance (the minimum safe distance is dependent on the mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations [METT-TC] factors).

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