In al-Qaeda we see a terrorist grouping with, in many ways, a medieval ideology, employing today's technology to great advantage. It works in a thoroughly modern way, virtual, amorphous, franchised and unbounded by geography. It has recruited people from all over the world. It understands the power of images, both in its campaign of terror and in its recruitment and proselytising material. It skillfully exploits the instant communications and social networking of the IT age.
Eliza Manningham-Buller, Securing Freedom: The Former Head of MI5 on Freedom, Intelligence, the Rule of Law, Torture and Security
al-qaeda, medievalism, modernity, technology, terrorism