For over half a century, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri repeatedly emerged from the shadows as a vengeful ideologue hell-bent on changing history.
Dr. Sajjan M. Gohel provides the first definitive account of one of the world's most wanted terrorists. Having grown up in an illustrious Egyptian family of physicians, lawyers, clergy, and politicians, al-Zawahiri chose to rebel against his own society and dedicated his life to sedition and violent rebellion against the international order. Ayman al-Zawahiri led a life incomparable to anyone else. The Egyptian found himself in many of the places where history was being determined. His journey takes us across Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as the United States and Russia. Through his close bond with Osama bin Laden, al-Zawahiri played a critical role in the evolution of al-Qaeda's ideology, recruitment, tactics, and strategy. With the deft touch of a teacher, al-Zawahiri delegated numerous assignments globally.
He engaged in the assassination of political leaders, recruited double and triple agents, and pioneered new media technology for al-Qaeda's zealotry. Against the background of the Arab Spring and the West's departure from Afghanistan, al-Zawahiri left a legacy for al-Qaeda's future for years to come.
Join us as Dr. Sajjan Gohel discusses his new book, with open audience Q+A and a reception after the event. Dr Kirsten Schulze will be chairing, and John D. Parkinson (OBE) will be acting as discussant. John Parkinson is Executive Managing Director at the Leadership in Counter-Terrorism (LinCT) and former Chief Constable of the West Yorkshire Police. He is also a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University.
Please see this link if you are interested in purchasing the book: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/doctor-teacher-terrorist-9780197665367