How does MS-13 compare to Al Queda or, for that matter, one of the
five families? It seems to me that the five families and MS-13 both have similar goals although those who work for the five families seem to me to be older. Certainly, in The Godfather movies, there not just a bunch of 21 year olds. Also, it seems like the five families are probably better connected. Certainly, I've never heard of FBI agents leaking information to MS-13 whereas for the mob, ala the five families, FBI agents have
leaked information.
Al Queda, in contrast, seems to me to be much more into suicide attacks than either the five families or MS-13. They also don't seem to me to to be "for hire", whereas MS-13 and the five families seem to me to do work for hire. It also seems to me that Al Queda is much more indiscriminate than either the five families or MS-13 and that as such they're probably not as good at surgical operations - ie. go in, get this person, and go out.
Were MS-13 to go head to head against Al Queda, I'm not sure who'd have the advantage.