Answer to Question #105011 in Other for Hannah Erickson

Question

In the book, The Black Banners, what event ultimately led to the creation of al-Qaeda?

Answer 1

Al-Qaeda is created out of the weird frailties of radicalized Islamist, who try to kill others in a move to seek revenge. Ali Soufan describes many instances where he uses his knowledge and a savvy rapport to exploit the personal foibles and intellectual weaknesses of his subjects to build on the truth, like harsh methods used on the agency’s first important captive, Abu Zubaydah, were unnecessary and counterproductive. Such events led to the creation of Al-Qaeda.