Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State: A study of cooperation and competition between terrorist organizations

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International Relations (MA)

Walter, Luc (2018)

Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State: A study of cooperation and competition between terrorist organizations

Master thesis | International Relations (MA)

This thesis seeks to give a more accurate account as to why al-Qaeda and the Islamic State broke off ties amid the Syrian civil war in 2014. To answer this question this thesis mainly draws on theories about cooperation and competition between terrorist organisations. A study of the effects of these types of relationships, as well as a thorough account of the events leading up to the break in 2014, has furthermore given an insight into this difficult relationship. The thesis introduces the notion of a competitive alliance, combining competitive and cooperative aspects, to make sense of this divorce.

Terrorism

Al-Qaeda

Islamic State

Cooperation between Terrorist Organizations

Competition between Terrorist Organizations