The future of the Global War on Terror is now, and may continue
indefinitely to be, a key concern for U.S. military and policymakers.
Islamist terror has not arisen from a vacuum, but has evolved over
decades and requires more calibrated coordination and a different type
of strategic planning than other types of conflicts. The author of this
monograph, Dr. Sherifa Zuhur, examines the intensity and diversification
of extremist efforts and outlines their "new jihad" and its relationship
to the regeneration of extremist leadership. She reviews "lessons
learned" with regard to Islamist extremist tactics, recruitment, and
their relationship to a broader Islamic awakening which must be factored
into the U.S. desire for democratization of the Middle East and the
broader Islamic world. The Strategic Studies Institute is pleased to
offer this monograph as a contribution to the national security debate
on this important topic.