In a recent article, we discussed the ongoing devolution of al Qaeda from what could be termed "al Qaeda the group" — a distinct group of individuals with a clear political aim — to "al Qaeda the movement," a wider network of groups and individuals who have thrown in with al Qaeda's "Jihad against the Jews and Crusaders." The shift, we noted, lends greater geographic and operational reach to the entity or brand name of al Qaeda, but — as a movement — also renders it shallower in a sense: The new al Qaeda will lack the operational depth and expertise exhibited by the core group and its well-trained leadership. In practical terms, this shift has many implications — one of which will become more evident in an area intelligence professionals refer to as "tradecraft.