The Al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb: Expansion in the Sahel and Challenges from Within Jihadist Circles

This report evaluates the strengths and weaknesses demonstrated by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb during 2009 compared to the previous few years. It also takes into account the activities of the organization in some of the Saharan countries known as the Sahel region. Based on these analyses, the report forecasts the group's actions in the near future.