Hearing of the Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Thompson, Hearing on the Persistent Threat: al Qaeda's Evolution and Resilience

Hearing

The turmoil and unrest in Iraq and Syria have created a welcomed vacuum for al
Qaeda. Some would argue that ISIS pioneered a new narrative and more accessible
terrorist recruitment messages. However, our committee has known that for decades
that the al Qaeda extremist ideologies and communications are just as accessible and
widespread. It is clear that al Qaeda's leadership has been weakened by enhanced
intelligence and covert operations.
As a way of retreating in order to rebuild, al Qaeda sought refuge through the turmoil
in some countries in order to grow more operatives and to radicalize vulnerable
populations. Gone are the days of Pakistani and Yemeni based al Qaeda leaders
pushing down directives to field members. Instead, the terrorist organization has found
the need to be more flexible and to create a more decentralized structure--similar to
ISIS.
More than a year ago, we learned that al Qaeda operatives were beginning to build
and grow their Syrian affiliate, the al Nusra Front, in order to compete with ISIS in
Syria. If ISIS is considered the fast-acting, flashy terrorist group, al Qaeda could be
described as the more deliberate, methodological group.
For example, al Qaeda resisted creating a "caliphate," but instead focused on the
establishing conditions and underground networks that would lend to their long-terms
goals. The changes that al Qaeda has made in Syria has ultimately led to a
resurgence of its global brand and introduced the terrorist organization to a new crop
of recruits.
This group is made up of those who have become disillusioned with ISIS and its
members or are drawn to the history and mission-focused goals of al Qaeda. It is
true, that by some strange twist of fate, ISIS has refocused and helped to rejuvenate
al Qaeda.
As we hear from witnesses today, I hope that we can learn more about what al Qaeda
looks like going in their third decade of terrorist destruction. Moreover, I hope to get
concrete recommendations about how new policies under the Trump Administration
can be shaped to ensure that the Obama Administration's numerous successes and
strides at countering and reducing al Qaeda's capacity and leadership remain in place
and are improved.

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