The Paris attacks are a propaganda coup for Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Yahoo/AP

A still from video shot during the Charlie Hebdo attack. Yahoo/AP

The Paris attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and the subsequent hostage situations are a propaganda coup for both Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Yahoo/AP. Through social media, supporters of both ISIS and Al-Qaeda have praised the attacks. Users shared photos and videos from the attack, especially the video of the execution of French policeman. Though attack ended in the death of every terrorist involved, these Twitter users see them as martyrs and were impressed at how professional the strikes looked. Officials are worried that recruitment for both Al-Qaeda and ISIS may increase along with a risk of more copycat attacks. Al-Qaeda especially benefits from the attack since they were desperate to prove that they were still relevant. The Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack and Said Kouachi fought for the organization back in 2008. 

My Comment:

No matter how you look at it, this attack was a major victory for Al-Qaeda. For the cost of three terrorists and one sleeper cell look what they accomplished:

-Their main targets were pretty much wiped out. Charlie Hebdo still exists but they lost a lot of their staff. Their point was made. Mess with us and die.

-Their recruitment will probably go up, along with the recruitment other allied or at least ideologically similar organizations

-The operation looked fairly professional and intricate until the very end. To be fair to the French, they kicked quite a bit of ass taking out the hostage takers but that won't be the perception in the extremist world. After all, the hostage takers wanted to die. 

-They made Al-Qaeda relevant again. Before, Al-Qaeda had been completely overshadowed by ISIS and wasn't really on anyone's radar, at least in the general public. 

-They caused chaos and panic throughout the Western world. They may have also inflamed prejudice against Muslims worldwide which plays right into their hands. 

That is a huge accomplishment for an organization that is a shadow of its former self. And it is important to note how weak Al-Qaeda actually is. Unlike ISIS they control very little territory and don't have anywhere near the budget that ISIS does. 

It is very worrying that Al-Qaeda is back in the spotlight. One successful terrorist operation does not mean that they are back to their former threat level, but considering how big a threat ISIS governments will be hard pressed to fight both of them. Plus there is now the renewed threat of lone wolf attackers as well. My prediction is that ISIS will plan a major strike now as well in Europe or the United States to "keep up" with Al-Qaeda. Either way 2015 is off to a terrible start...