Al-Qaeda started in late 1980s in the Af-Pak area, and the group became forever synonymous with the attacks on the World Trade Center. But that was not the beginning. Al-Qaeda plotted numerous conflicts before the September 11, 2001. Little did everyone know at the time, but the attacks would set into motion a series of events that would exacerbate the spread of terror-with the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan adding fuel to the fire. Sawad Hadi-an expert in conflict studies and religious politics-traces the history of al-Qaeda, its leaders, and how its deviant psychology has allowed it and...

Al-Qaeda started in late 1980s in the Af-Pak area, and the group became forever synonymous with the attacks on the World Trade Center. But that was not the beginning. Al-Qaeda plotted numerous conflicts before the September 11, 2001. Little did everyone know at the time, but the attacks would set into motion a series of events that would exacerbate the spread of terror-with the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan adding fuel to the fire. Sawad Hadi-an expert in conflict studies and religious politics-traces the history of al-Qaeda, its leaders, and how its deviant psychology has allowed it and...