Breaking the Bonds between al Qaeda and Its Affiliates

Expert Q&A with Daniel L. Byman -- The effort to dismantle al Qaeda continues. After a number of blows including the death of its founder and leader Osama bin Laden, the organization is on the defensive. But a move to reconstitute al Qaeda by increasing its affiliate organizations is underway. By working with these local factions, al Qaeda is increasing its power and expanding its reach. These mergers aren't wholly effective, however, and tensions between al Qaeda's core and its affiliates could be exploited, notes Senior Fellow Daniel Byman.