The Current State and Future of Al Qaeda
The Current State and Future of Al Qaeda
United States President Barack Obama announced on May 1, 2011 that “Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the most devastating attack on American soil in modern times and the most hunted man in the world, was killed in a firefight with the United States forces in Pakistan.” The death of Osama bin Laden is certainly a major blow to the Al Qaeda terrorist network causing many of its leaders to go underground. Yet, the threat of Al Qaeda still exists and many intelligence officials believe it has only grown. Since September 11, 2001 the terrorist network expanded into a global terrorist organization with thousands of followers. And when examined critically, the death of Osama bin Laden disrupted the Al Qaeda terrorist network yet, Al Qaeda still poses a significant threat to Western nations in the future. First, since September 11, 2001 bin Laden had been in hiding and played more of an idol for Al Qaeda than he did an operational leader (site). For ten years it was nearly impossible for bin Laden to actively communicate within the organization since he was afraid it would lead to his capture and the demise of current Al Qaeda operations.(site) Al Qaeda leaders are in hiding after the death of Osama bin Laden, especially since United States Navy Seals uncovered multiple items of critical intelligence during the raid on bin Laden’s stronghold.(site) The death of Osama bin Laden is a temporary setback for Al Qaeda, which forces the terrorist network to go underground, regroup and plan their next attack. Ultimately, Osama bin Laden demonstrated to the world how a small terrorist organization could create massive destruction to a major Western power. Secondly, Al Qaeda cannot be destroyed in one day or by killing one person because it is a system of beliefs. The principal goal of al-Qaeda is to expunge Western and Western influence out of all Muslim nations. This is a broad ideology that many muslims in Arab nations believe
United States President Barack Obama announced on May 1, 2011 that “Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the most devastating attack on American soil in modern times and the most hunted man in the world, was killed in a firefight with the United States forces in Pakistan.” The death of Osama bin Laden is certainly a major blow to the Al Qaeda terrorist network causing many of its leaders to go underground. Yet, the threat of Al Qaeda still exists and many intelligence officials believe it has only grown. Since September 11, 2001 the terrorist network expanded into a global terrorist organization with thousands of followers. And when examined critically, the death of Osama bin Laden disrupted the Al Qaeda terrorist network yet, Al Qaeda still poses a significant threat to Western nations in the future. First, since September 11, 2001 bin Laden had been in hiding and played more of an idol for Al Qaeda than he did an operational leader (site). For ten years it was nearly impossible for bin Laden to actively communicate within the organization since he was afraid it would lead to his capture and the demise of current Al Qaeda operations.(site) Al Qaeda leaders are in hiding after the death of Osama bin Laden, especially since United States Navy Seals uncovered multiple items of critical intelligence during the raid on bin Laden’s stronghold.(site) The death of Osama bin Laden is a temporary setback for Al Qaeda, which forces the terrorist network to go underground, regroup and plan their next attack. Ultimately, Osama bin Laden demonstrated to the world how a small terrorist organization could create massive destruction to a major Western power. Secondly, Al Qaeda cannot be destroyed in one day or by killing one person because it is a system of beliefs. The principal goal of al-Qaeda is to expunge Western and Western influence out of all Muslim nations. This is a broad ideology that many muslims in Arab nations believe
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