Dr. Kamolnick's book is a meticulously documented investigation and comparison of the al-Qaeda and the Islamic State across three key strategically relevant dimensions: essential doctrine, beliefs, and worldview; strategic concept, including terrorist modus operandi; and in the final chapter, specific implications, and recommendations for current U.S. Government policy and strategy.

Contents:

Belief-System, Creed, Worldview, Doctrine

The Al-Qaeda Organization

Sunni Islamic Orthodoxy

Sunni-Salafism/"Fundamentalism"

The Muwahhidun/Wahhabism/Salafi-Wahhabism

Muslim Brotherhood-Salafi-Wahhabi

The "Base of the Jihad"; Al-Qaeda

From Qa'idat Al-Jihad to Bin Ladenism

From Bin Ladenism Back to Qa'idat Al-Jihad

Post-Arab Spring Qa'idat Al-Jihad

"What is Qa'idat Al-Jihad?" In a Nutshell:

Fazul Abdullah and Adam Gadahn

III. Islamic State Organization

"Zarqawism" vs. AQO: Abu Musab

Al-Zarqawi's Worldview and Doctrine: 1989-June 7, 2006

From Non-Religious Violent Street Tough to Ultra-Sectarian Salafi-Wahhabi Jihadist Prison

Tough: 1980-1999

Al-Zarqawi's Private Jihasist Armies of the Levant: 1999-2004

The History, Doctrines, and Worldview of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi's "Caliphate":

From ISI to the Caliphate: Brief Organizational History

Self-Proclaimed Emir Al-Muminin Abu Bakr Al-Hussaini Al-Qurayshi Al-Baghdadi:

The Caliphate Now!

The "Final Solution" to the "Shia Problem"

Terrorist Modus Operandi

Terrorist Quadrangle Analysis

The Al-Qaeda Organization

The "Classical" Base First Bin Ladenist

Lone Mujahid"

"Far Enemy" Strategy

Islamic State

Conclusions, Implications, and Recommendations for U.S. Government

Key Findings

Belief-Systems, Worldviews, Doctrines, Creeds

Strategies and Terrorist Modus Operandi

Implications for U.S. Government

Policy and Strategies

Implications for Existing USG Policy and Strategy to Permanently Defeat AQ and its Affiliates

Implications for Existing USG Policy and Strategy to Permanently Defeat the IS