Al-Qaida unaffected by Arab Spring

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 19 (UPI) -- Middle East analysts are concluding that despite the impact of the Arab Spring, anti-terror efforts against al-Qaida continue.

The change of regimes won't necessarily affect al-Qaida's desired aims or its activities, said Cairo researcher, political analyst and writer Abd Al-Nasir Mowadaa.

"Al-Qaida has international agendas and not local and (regime change) won't change that," Mowadaa told al-Arabiya. "It is fighting the Western countries and their cultural influence.

"Al-Qaida is a cultural entity against modernity, more so than a political one.

Al-Qaida considers that "Islam-based governments in the region aren't ideal governments," said Dubai analyst Mohammed Jawad al Awlaki. The group instead views the Taliban style of government prior to the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, as the model to follow.

Al-Qaida's combat methods are also shifting.

Awlaki said: "A big development is taking place regarding al-Qaida's war techniques. The fighting has become more organized against cities."