At the invitation of the New America Foundation and the New York University Center for Law and Security, a group of individuals regarded as authorities on international terrorism and Al Qaeda were brought together at a meeting held in the United States Senate office building. This volume contains the presentations that were made at this meeting. They constitute a valuable synopsis of current knowledge on Al Qaeda and the policies in place to counter threats of future terrorist attacks. The papers in this book will contribute to understanding how Al Qaeda has evolved from a movement to an ideology, what influence it has on Middle East stability and what continued threat it is to the United States, Europe, and other areas of the world. The contributors are from academia, research centers, government agencies and the media. They represent a cross section of recognized experts on Al Qaeda and international terrorism.

"As al Qaeda evolves, so must our understanding of this diffuse and dangerous enemy. Al Qaeda Now offers an exceptional range of perspectives on the current state of al Qaeda from some of the world's leading experts on international terrorism. The chapter on al Qaeda in Europe is particularly valuable." Lee H. Hamilton, Director, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and former Vice-Chair, National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission)

"This book brings together the most innovative and important thinkers in terrorism studies and asks them a simple question: what exactly is Al Qaeda? The answers are sometimes terrifying, but always illuminating. Al Qaeda Now is the most significant contribution to date for those who want to know what to make of this ever-changing, and still terribly lethal, threat. The book rejects the hysteria and hype surrounding much of the public discourse on the "war on terrorism", and provides citizens with a sense of the complicated and multi-varied aspirations of those who would join the terrorist movement and how they survive today. Most importantly, it provides readers with hope for how America might better defeat its enemies and engage in the world." Juliette Kayyem, Former Member, National Commission on Terrorism, and Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government

"Al Qaeda now is must reading for those who want to understand the Islamic terrorist movement and where it may be headed. An edited transcript of a seminal conference in late 2004--the Woodstock of counterterrorism conferences--it presents in highly readable form, the views of some of the most insightful and creative thinkers on al Qaeda and how best to combat it." David Ensor, National Security Correspondent, CNN