Egyptian Islamic Jihad

Initially dedicated to overthrowing the secular Egyptian government, the members of Egyptian Islamic Jihad attacked only Egyptian political figures and institutions. Under the leadership of Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian physician turned Islamic militant, the group allied itself with Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda terrorist network and its focus expanded to include strikes against U.S. interests and citizens. Tamra B. Orr vividly describes the evolution of this dangerous group and offers a chilling portrait of its leader, a figure often described as bin Laden’s right-hand man and heir apparent.