Abstract
The paper’s title is The use of Modern Technology by Terrorists. It is an analysis based on open source intelligence covering 24 attacks in Western Europe or North America 2001 – 2007 planned and/or carried out by Islamic terrorists affiliated with, or inspired by Al Qaeda. The analysis is conducted within the framework of the theoretical model “The Cycle of Warfare” facilitating insights into the possible correlations between the employed technology, doctrine and organisation of the terrorist groups examined.The main findings in the paper are:−Attacks carried out by Al Qaeda inspired or affiliated groups tend to follow certain doctrines in spite of operational risks.−General doctrines and limitations within the skills of the respective groups shape the employment of technologies. The groups face a choice between utilizing current skills or risking communication to gain access to more advanced technologies. Communications present an opportunity to detect Islamic terrorist activities.−Terrorists apparently develop new technologies and adjust doctrines in order to de-feat developments in countermeasures.−Indications suggest that within the examined timeframe, an organisation with scien-tific resources developed a new hydrogen-peroxide based explosive and distributed knowledge of this technology to Western Islamic terrorist groups visiting Pakistan.