Learn about the global reach of the al Qaeda network

Overview: A German court has jailed 28-year-old Mounir Motassadeq for 15 years after convicting him of aiding the September 11 suicide hijackers. This is the first trial anywhere of a suspected September 11 attack conspirator.

After students read "German court finds September 11 suspect guilty" and watch the first segment of CNN Student News (the video can be accessed from CNNStudentNews.com) present following questions:

1. Who is Mounir el Motassadeq? Of what crimes was he convicted? What evidence directly links him with hijackers Mohammed Atta and Marwan al-Shehhi? In which court was he tried? What sentence did he receive? Why is his conviction politically significant? Do you think his sentence was fair and just? State your rationale.

SPECIAL REPORT • Interactive: The hunt for al Qaeda • Audio slide show: Bin Laden's audio message, 2/03 • Terror warning system • Special report: Terror on tape • Special report: War against terror RESOURCES • CNN.com: 15 years for 9/11 conspirator  • CNN.com: War Against Terror-Southeast Asian Front  • CNN.com: Profile: Mounir el Motassadeq  • CNN.com: Osama bin Laden  • Hunting bin Laden  • The Terrorism Research Center

2. What are "sleeper cells"? What role did Motassadeq play in the Hamburg al Qaeda cell? Refer student groups to the links below to learn more about sleeper cells and Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network. Pose the following questions to guide students' research:

• With what other terrorist groups is al Qaeda associated?

• How do al Qaeda sleeper cell agents operate?

• Why do al Qaeda sleeper cells pose a threat to U.S. security?

• What is the U.S. government doing to root out sleeper cells in the U.S.?

• Why is this work so difficult?

Have students share their findings. Then, on a world map, have students use pushpins to mark each of the countries where al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups operate. Ask students: What conclusions can you draw about the global reach of al Qaeda and its associated terrorist groups? Discuss the political and economic benefits a global network offers to these terrorist operations.