Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula’s online magazine “Inspire” is once again calling for assassinations of U.S. business leaders and economic figures.
The English-language magazine published by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Yemen-based al Qaeda franchise, released its newest issue over the weekend, pushing for lone actor—often referred to as lone wolf—operations targeting American business magnates and economists.
“First and foremost, this is marketing,” Brian Levin, the director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, told The Cipher Brief. “They could try to execute someone tomorrow, of course. But what we have seen is that AQAP and Daesh (also known as ISIS) try to use provocative targeting and imagery to keep themselves relevant. It does not mean they can’t or won’t do these things, but right now the more immediate motivation is marketing as opposed to actually being operational.”
In an article headlined “Professional Assassinations,” the authors call for “professionalism in carrying-out assassinations” by “the Lone Mujahid.” That involves determining “which personality, when targeted (assassinated), will bring about the maximum economic impact,” whether it is “one of the personalities selected by Inspire magazine or others who are at the same standard and characters,” they write. “Moreover, how will the assassination consequently and strategically realize the main goals to economically exhaust America?” the piece continues.
“Professional Assassinations” follows up on similar calls in previous editions to target high-profile targets connected with the American economy. The magazine broke down its target wish list into two categories in its 13th issue: One, the “economic personalities,” or the “people who run the American economy” and “are considered to be the great economic minds,” and two, “wealthy entrepreneurs or company owners,” who “have the largest capitals” and are “the greatest investors in America.”
In the 14th issue, the authors placed former chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke and economist Robert Shiller in the former category, and Microsoft’s Bill Gates, business magnate Warren Buffett, Oracle founder Larry Ellison, the Koch brothers, casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and businessman and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg in the latter.
“A wish list doesn’t necessarily constitute an operational hit list,” Levin said. “I have no doubt they’d like to do a variety of things, but that’s different than having the operational capacity. I think that for the lone wolves that they’re trying to influence, this is certainly a relevant issue that all of us analysts are examining. It is not like this is irrelevant — it’s a question of how relevant. I think we run the risk sometimes of ascribing operational capacity to wish lists.”
“That being said, business leaders beware,” he added.
The recent issue notes that the authors “proposed some of the economic targets in the last edition,” but does not elaborate further beyond including a blood-splattered graphic featuring Gates’ face and a gun.
In the editor’s note to the 15th issue, Yahya Ibrahim wrote, “we are fighting a Holy war with America. We will never put down our weapons until we fulfill what Allah want from us. We are determined to keep fighting and striking America with operations by Organized jihadi groups and by Lone Jihad, pursuing America in its homeland - by the will of Allah.”
Mackenzie Weinger is a National Security Reporter at The Cipher Brief.
