Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Al Qaeda’s Rise, Setbacks And Continuing Global Influence
Al Qaeda is a militant network that began in the late 1980s under Osama bin Laden.
It became known worldwide after the September 11 attacks in 2001.
The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people.
The United States invaded Afghanistan and forced al Qaeda away from its main base.
Bin Laden was later killed in Pakistan, and another leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, was killed in 2022.
Some al Qaeda members and partners continued attacking people in different countries.
A rival group called Islamic State became stronger for a time and fought with al Qaeda.
Today, al Qaeda-linked groups remain active in parts of Africa and Pakistan, even though the network is less powerful than it once was.
Al Qaeda emerged in the late 1980s under Osama bin Laden and helped organize the September 11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001, while bin Laden was killed in Pakistan in 2011 and Ayman al-Zawahri was killed in 2022.
Al Qaeda affiliates and inspired groups carried out major attacks in Bali, Madrid, London and elsewhere after September 11.
Islamic State’s emergence and split from al Qaeda weakened the network and created an ongoing rivalry among jihadist groups.
Al Qaeda-aligned groups remain active in Somalia, the Sahel and Pakistan, although experts say the organization is past its peak.
- Who
- Al Qaeda, founded by Osama bin Laden, its affiliates, Islamic State and governments including the United States and Taliban authorities.
- What
- The article traces al Qaeda’s origins, the September 11 attacks, the deaths and capture of senior leaders, its global affiliates and its continuing activity.
- When
- Al Qaeda emerged in the late 1980s; the September 11 attacks occurred in 2001; the group remains active today.
- Where
- The network originated around Afghanistan and has operated through affiliates in Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan and elsewhere.
- Why
- Al Qaeda sought hardline Islamist rule and promoted attacks against the United States, Israel and allied governments.
International Assessments
Taliban Position
Al Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan
International Assessments
A United Nations report said al Qaeda continued to enjoy the patronage of Afghanistan’s de facto authorities and that its appetite for external operations remained undiminished.
Taliban Position
Kabul denies that al Qaeda operates in Afghanistan or that it allows terrorist attacks on Pakistan from Afghan territory.
The network’s current strength
International Assessments
Experts say al Qaeda is past its peak but remains remarkably influential, with low-profile operatives who are harder to identify and target.
Taliban Position
The group has suffered major setbacks, including the loss of bin Laden, the death of Ayman al-Zawahri and the rise of Islamic State as a rival.
- Founding period
- Late 1980s
- Founder
- Osama bin Laden
- September 11 attackers
- Nineteen hijackers carried out the attacks; 15 were from Saudi Arabia.
- September 11 death toll
- Nearly 3,000 people
- Bin Laden’s death
- United States special forces killed him in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in 2011.
- Current de facto leader
- Seif al-Adel is believed to be al Qaeda’s de facto leader.
- Main current theaters
- Somalia, the Sahel region of West Africa and northwestern Pakistan