The successful collection, scrutiny, and dissemination of operational intelligence are at the heart of al Qaeda’s capacity to remain an effective and credible terrorist organization. The policy of the al Qaeda leadership is to select targets that have a powerful symbolic value for the enemy, such that destroying them with attendant massive casualties displays the symbolic power of al Qaeda to achieve a symbolic defeat of its enemies. For al Qaeda, it is better not to attack a target than to launch an attack that fails to achieve a dramatic victory for its cause. This means that the following activities are critical for al Qaeda: identifying a target; determining the means of executing the operation; communicating the plan from command to those responsible for its execution; preparing for the operation; execution of the operation; and withdrawal of the operational team. These activities are all based in the collection and analysis of intelligence. Once a target is selected based on intelligence that indicates the symbolic value of the target and its vulnerability to attack, the construction of a detailed plan of attack becomes the most important phase of al Qaeda’s intelligence effort. This involves the development of a plan of attack that takes advantage of target vulnerabilities and al Qaeda’s resources of personnel, training, and weaponry. The operational plan is developed in detail, accompanied by preparatory selection of personnel, their job descriptions, the training and weaponry required, the precise timing of the attack, the method by which the target will be approached, and withdrawal tactics. 2 tables and 126 notes