1989: Birth of Al Qaeda

2 August 1990: The First Gulf War - This marks the beginning of Al Qaeda's resistance to U.S. involvement in the Middle East.

1991-1996: Al Qaeda operational node to Khartoum, Sudan - Their shipping network prospered and Khartoum became a vital transit point to terrorists and weapons.

11 September 2001: 9/11 - After years of planning, Al Qaeda put themselves on the West's radar with unprecedented large-scale coordinated attacks on U.S. soil.

October 2001: U.S. invasion of Afghanistan - The United States put pressure on the Taliban who worked closely with Al Qaeda and threatened Al Qaeda's operational node in Afghanistan.

March 2003: U.S. invasion of Iraq - U.S. involvement motivated a new generation of jihadists to travel to Iraq and Al Qaeda's operational node moves to Pakistan.

2011: Start of the Arab Spring - Brought a lot of political instability into the Middle East that is still apparent today.

March 2011: Beginning of the Syrian Civil War - President al-Assad was challenged by pro-democracy protests and opposition militias formed.

2 May 2011: Osama Bin Laden is killed by a U.S. SEAL team - This is a big blow to the organization. Ayman al-Zawahiri becomes the leader.

August 2011: African Union Offensive into Mogadishu - Al Shabbab lost its control of Mogadishu, however it dominated many rural areas.

January 2012: Mali Civil War - Several insurgent groups fought a campaign against the Mali government for greater independence or autonomy for Northern Mali.

2014: Al Qaeda of Iraq splits from Al Qaeda - There is a bloody disagreement between Al Qaeda of Iraq and another affiliate. Zawahiri goes against Al Qaeda of Iraq, severing ties. Al Qaeda of Iraq goes on to become ISIS.

March 2015: Beginning of Yemeni Civil War - The failed transition of power from the Arab Spring comes to a head with war breaking out between the two governments claiming authority.

Present: Al Qaeda has a powerful leader, Zawahiri, with a strategic vision, as well as tens of thousands of forces loyal to it and its affiliates.