Bin Laden Dead- What's Next?
With Osama Bin Laden dead, the world waits to see what's the future of his terror organization Al Qaeda and where does the United States focus next to combat terror plots against this country and our western allies?
President Barack Obama and his national security team held its' collective breath and the world then breathed a sigh of relief that the U.S. had achieved justice and killed the mastermind behind the 9-11 attacks. But what does Osama Bin Laden's death mean for Al Qaeda?
Ed Turzanski is a leading national security expert and senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
He says, “the killing of Bin Laden is going to add some organizational disarray."
"The president's homeland security adviser said it will lead to in-fighting that will cripple the organization. It may not get to that point. But it's not good news because he was a symbolic figure, ” Turzanski added.
Turzanski believes the fact that Bin Laden was found deep inside Pakistan doesn't bode well for the US's so-called ally of necessity.
“First and foremost we must figure out where we go with this relationship with Pakistan. There are calls to reduce funding that Pakistan receives from the U.S. and truth be told, both Pakistan and the U.S. need one another.”
One thing the U.S. got from the raid in Pakistan, a wealth of documents and videos that will aid intelligence officials. These videos of Bin Laden in particular tell them and now the world something about terror leader.
“Shows a largely semi-retired figure who is graying, who is feeble. Who is in better housing then the rest of his troops but not in a palace of any sorts. And this sad figure watching himself on television,” Turzanski said.
With Bin Laden gone. Turzanksi quickly rattles off a likely successor.
“Anwar Al-waki who is the American-born cleric from New Mexico and the head of Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula. He's really emerged as the best-known organization figure of Al Qaeda. The president in fact signed an executive order calling for his assasination.”
And while the hunt for Al-waki continues, the change at the top of Al Qaeda is sure to affect the U.S. presence in Afghanistan.
“With Bin Laden dead, it's more likely we leave sooner rather than later. The narrative is now a bit clearer for the administration to do that,” Turzanski noted.
And in doing so, turn it's' attention toward a changing landscape from Northern Africa to the Persian Gulf.
“Right now, there are many fast-moving pieces in the Middle East that should be of concern to the United States,” Turzanski said.
Related Articles
- Officials mine secrets of bin Laden papers, videos
- Pentagon chief: Bin Laden death a game-changer
- President will not release photos of bin Laden's body
- Polls: worry about attacks, confidence in Obama up
More News
- Japan Economy on the Road to Recovery
- IMF says Cyprus at risk of even deeper recession
- $1 million in jewels stolen near Cannes film fest
- UN says Syrian refugees top 1.5M
- WHO: Death Toll From New Bird Flu In China Rises To 36
- Former Argentine Dictator Videla Dies In Prison At Age 87
- US, Turkey project united front on Syria
- Obama Says "No Apologies" Over U.S. Security Leak Probe
- Evening News, May 15, 2013
- Beckham to retire from soccer at end of season
