"Despite over a decade of open war, dealing with Al-Qaida and its affiliates in the Middle East is likely to remain a concern for the foreseeable future and will pose a challenge requiring the use of any tool that is likely to be effective in meeting the threat. Developing effective tools to counter Al-Qaida's continuing presence in the social environment of tribal militias, therefore, is a priority and requires understanding Al-Qaida's critical vulnerabilities when it operates in those societies and developing the means to counter Al-Qaida's efforts. Recommendations for policy where the United States is a tribal militia's direct patron, as well as recommendations for policy when the United States is in a supporting role to the local government are included"--Publisher's web site.