AL-QAEDA" AND "ISLAMIC STATE" - GENERAL AND SPECIAL FEATURES
The article examines the key similarities and distinctive features of the functioning of two such Islamic organizations as "al-Qaeda" and "Islamic state". The analysis starts with the territorial coverage of the groups that immediately reveals a number of differences. First of all it States subregional activity of the "Islamic state" and more large-scale activities of "al-Qaeda" spreading activity in addition to the Middle East to North Africa, South and South-East Asia. The ideological background also define different conditions for the existence of the considered groups. "Al-Qaeda" was created based on ideas of global Jihad, and thus were defined the main methods of struggle and activities of the organization. Against "Islamic state" there are special conditions, which are linked to the invasion of the coalition led by the United States in Iraq in 2003, as well as with the activities of "al-Qaeda in Iraq." After significant military successes and the capture of the first cities and large territories in 2014, the group acquired the new name "Islamic state" and were able to attract a huge number of Muslims from around the world. Next, the author considers the current targets of the two groups and zones of confrontation and conflict between these organizations. Conclusions about the General ideological assumptions and the differences in modern methods of implementation, "the Islamic state" is gaining momentum in terms of the number of adherents by narrowing their goals to combat regional "UN-Islamic" regimes, while al-Qaeda continues to follow the logic of global Jihad, while in confrontation with the United States. The political confrontation between the two analyzed groups is stored in non-military format, ensuring the stability of these originally featured organizations.