Former CIA Targeting Officer: Al-Qaeda – 23 Years After 9/11 and Still a Global Threat

A Legacy of Terror That Refuses to Fade

As we mark the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, one unsettling truth stands clear: al-Qaeda has not disappeared. Despite relentless counterterrorism efforts and the loss of its founder, Osama bin Laden, the group remains a formidable force. While al-Qaeda has evolved, its mission has stayed the same: to wage a global jihad against the West, especially the United States. And now, 23 years later, it has grown more sophisticated, elusive, and dangerous than ever before.

The Global Empire of Fear

Though Osama bin Laden is long gone, his influence continues to resonate through the al-Qaeda leadership. The Bin Laden family remains involved, with Osama’s sons playing key roles. After the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan in 2021, al-Qaeda once again found sanctuary. Today, its operatives and affiliates spread across the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, and parts of Asia—embedding themselves into conflict zones like Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Mali, and Somalia.

The grim reality is that al-Qaeda has only grown larger since 9/11, now boasting an estimated 100,000 operatives worldwide, compared to fewer than 5,000 in 2001, with a wider operational reach than ever before.

A New Generation of Jihadists in the Making

Following 9/11, al-Qaeda‘s ability to train fighters was weakened—but not for long. Today, Afghanistan is home to over 40 training camps, and al-Qaeda’s recruitment has shifted toward a more troubling focus. The group is actively recruiting the families of former fighters, particularly targeting second and third generations. Many of these recruits are the sons of veteran al-Qaeda members, carrying mindsets bent on revenge due to the loss of their fathers to U.S. counterterrorism operations. Steeped in jihadist ideology from birth, they are seen as the future of the organization—trained to be even more ideologically driven and potentially more dangerous than their predecessors.

The Financial War Chest: From Bin Laden’s Wealth to a Billion-Dollar Enterprise

Al-Qaeda’s ability to fund itself has always been one of its key strengths. While it once relied on wealthy donors and Osama bin Laden’s fortune, its financial network today is far more diversified. The group runs legitimate businesses in sectors such as travel and mining while also profiting from illicit activities like drug smuggling, arms trafficking, and even human smuggling. Donations from sympathizers continue to flow in from the Gulf States, alongside financial support from the Taliban government and even Iran. With an estimated annual budget upwards of $2 billion, al-Qaeda’s financial war chest remains robust, allowing the group to expand its reach and capabilities.

Expanding Its Web of Partnerships

A major reason for al-Qaeda’s resilience is its ability to forge alliances with local jihadist groups. In 2001, its partnerships were limited to key groups in Pakistan and Southeast Asia. Today, its network has ballooned. Al-Qaeda now boasts strong ties with groups like al-Shabaab in Somalia, Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in Mali, and the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). Additionally, al-Qaeda has cultivated relationships with groups such as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria, and Ansar al-Islam in Burkina Faso. These alliances allow al-Qaeda to project power into regions far beyond its traditional strongholds, giving the group the ability to plot attacks and recruit fighters across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.

A Shadowy Alliance: Al-Qaeda and the Taliban

The fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in 2021 was a major boon for al-Qaeda. The two groups, always close allies, are now nearly inseparable. Intermarriages between senior leadership have cemented their bond, and many al-Qaeda commanders hold dual roles within the Taliban. This deep intertwining makes it difficult to distinguish where the Taliban ends and al-Qaeda begins. This deep alliance ensures that al-Qaeda will continue to operate with impunity in Afghanistan, using the country as a base to train fighters and plan future attacks. Without the Taliban’s support, al-Qaeda would struggle to maintain its stronghold in the region.

Operating in the Shadows: A Shift in Tactics

Today, the group operates more secretively than ever, adopting a “hidden hand” strategy similar to that of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF). In a marked shift from its earlier tactics, al-Qaeda now rarely claims responsibility for its attacks, even as it remains operational in places like Syria, Iraq, and Gaza. Instead, it often allows rival groups, such as the Islamic State, to dominate the headlines. This shadowy approach enables al-Qaeda to avoid intense scrutiny while quietly continuing to plot and execute operations.

Despite maintaining a low profile, ground truth indicates that the group is still actively planning coordinated attacks on the U.S. homeland, much like it did in the lead-up to 9/11.

Conclusion: The Threat That Won’t Go Away

Al-Qaeda remains a potent and increasing threat. Despite the years of counterterrorism efforts, the group has not only survived but grown. Its global footprint has expanded, its alliances have multiplied, and its leaders are once again plotting attacks on the U.S. homeland. Twenty-three years after 9/11, al-Qaeda’s mission remains unchanged, and the world must remain vigilant. The threat that began in 2001 is far from over—al-Qaeda has simply evolved, waiting in the shadows for its next move.