COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ISIS AND AL-QAEDA: THEIR MAJOR TERRORIST ATTACKS.

Abstract

The present end of degree project addresses the evolution of the jihadist threat in Europe spanning the critical period from 2004 to 2016, with a particular focus on the dominant jihadist organizations shaping this landscape: al Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS). The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of significant attacks orchestrated by al Qaeda and the Islamic State, involving individuals either integrated into or affiliated with the hierarchical structures of these organisations. The four selected attacks include the 2004 Madrid train bombings, perpetrated by al Qaeda, followed by the 2005 London subway and bus attack, orchestrated by the same organisation. In contrast, the 2015 Paris attacks, attributed to IS, and the 2016 Brussels airport attack, linked to the same entity.