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Since September 11th 2001, various Islamic movements have been major topics of analysis and study. One implication of the 9/11 attacks is the United States and a number of its allies international campaign to reduce the threat presented by terrorism in general and Islamic radicalism in particular. Al Qaeda, as a key example of these groups, is the subject of study of this thesis. Al Qaeda is a radical Sunni movement first established to provide military training and funds for the Mujahideen fighting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

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Nora Chehab got her B.A. and her Masters degree in Political Studies (International Politics) from the American University of Beirut, with an emphasis on Islamic fundamentalist movements in the Middle East.

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