Al-Qaeda operates as a network of Islamic extremists and Salafist jihadists. Al Qaeda’s long-term plans included the creation of a unified and global caliphate. The organization was founded by Emir Osama bin Laden, whose undisguised goal was to become a strong state under the banner of the caliphate. Bin Laden stated that a strong Islamic state is needed. And this state must rest on the crucial points laid down by the Prophet Mohammed after his 13 years of research in Mecca. These crucial points are obedience, respect, strong community, inclusion, and jihad. The organization has been designated as a terrorist group by the United Nations Security Council, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union, the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, India, and various other countries (see below). Al-Qaeda has mounted attacks on non-military and military targets in various countries, including the 1998 United States embassy bombings, the September 11 attacks, and the 2002 Bali bombings.