Summary

Chapter 6 returns to Ayman al-Zawahiri, who in 1986 travelled to Pakistan to serve in a clinic established to treat refugees from the war in Afghanistan. Zawahiri espoused an ideology referred to as “takfir,” which would become central to al-Qaeda’s doctrine. Takfir refers to the excommunication of Muslims for purported unfaithfulness. It allowed Zawahiri to advocate the killing of other Muslims, an act forbidden by the Qur’an, by arguing that such victims were not, in fact, true Muslims.

At this time, Zawahiri became directly acquainted with Osama bin Laden. The two men’s strengths complimented each other; bin Laden had an immense fortune and the ability to finance Islamist operations, while Zawahiri provided the causes and ideology to direct bin Laden’s resources. Simultaneously, the two men differed on the target of their efforts. While Zawahiri remained committed to overthrowing the Egyptian government...