Monday, May 02, 2011
Bin Laden's death: Breaking the oaths that bind?
An interesting observation about the importance of oaths of fealty inside Al Qaeda:
First, there is good reason to hope that the coalition that constitutes much of the global jihad will begin to unravel as individual leaders of jihadist groups are able to reconsider their oath of fealty (called "ba'ya") to Bin Laden. These oaths, which have been used by al Qaeda to create its global coalition from many disparate groups, are binding only until the death of the person one swears to (the Amir), and do not automatically transfer to the Amir's deputy. We can expect that at least some of those who supported Bin Laden will decide not to transfer their loyalty to the new Amir of al Qaeda and might be open to surrendering or negotiations.
The blogger, Mary Habeck, is the author of Knowing the Enemy: Jihadist Ideology and the War on Terror
, so she knows whereof she speaks.2 Comments:
By 
, at
Tue May 03, 06:20:00 PM:
I recall reading the AlQaeda plces great value in marrying into tribal groups. How will these ties affect coninuing Jihad.
By , at
Tue May 03, 06:22:00 PM:
Sorry for the typos. Finger trouble.
I recall reading that AlQaeda places great value in marrying into tribal groups. How will these ties affect continuing Jihad.
