Am eagerly anticipating Ayman Al-Zawahiri’s next audio diatribe….as well as his demise:
Officials in the Middle East did not have immediate reactions, and responses were “mixed” on the Arab street (WSJ, CNN, NYT, FT). Hamas’ prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, condemned the killing and described bin Laden as a “holy warrior” (CNN).
A member of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula reportedly confirmed bin Laden’s death, calling it a “catastrophe,” though an online jihadi forum used for official messages has reportedly been deleting posts with the news pending confirmation by “mujahideen sources” (AFP). The Taliban in Afghanistan had no immediate official reaction, though a local commander in Paktia said the killing of bin Laden “will affect their morale and will trigger the violence” and a commander in Baghlan promised revenge (NYT, WSJ, Guardian).
Analysts variously warn that the death of bin Laden does not mean the end of al-Qaeda (NYT, Tel), which remains the “organization likely to remain the most significant security threat to the United States” (Post), while others assess bin Laden’s death is likely to “have a dramatic impact” on U.S.-Pakistani relations and on the war in Afghanistan (WSJ). Speculation about who will succeed bin Laden at the helm of the terrorist group and the future of the group is rife (CNN, AJE, Guardian). The BBC reports mini-profiles of al-Qaeda’s remaining leaders (BBC).
Whatever the reaction from around the world, all Americans should rejoice and celebrate the news. For some, it will achieve a certain closure; but make no mistake, bin Laden has always been merely a symbolic figurehead.
bin Laden’s death does not close this chapter in history. Two points are worth bearing in mind. First, bin Laden’s strategic ideas for beating a superpower (which U.S. planners never fully understood) have permeated his organization, and are widely shared by al Qaeda’s affiliates. Second, one critical lesson of 2001 is that we should not allow bin Laden’s death to cause us to lose sight of the continued threat that al Qaeda poses.
How much operational control have bin Laden and Zawahiri even had in the last 9 years “on the run”?
The >war continues…
A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.
A great observation:
Interesting…
Mary Habeck
Wordsmith makes a great point about exploiting this death in an ongoing “war of ideas” efforts to delegitimize jihadism.
Allah was WEAK.
Allah cannot protect his supposedly great ones.
Allah cannot protect any Muslim who makes jihad his way of life.
Maybe Allah isn’t even real.
And Muslim leaders are liars.
Osama lied to all his loyal followers, living in a mansion with all the wealth from the mandatory tax all Muslims pay (1/8th of all ”Islamic charity” must go toward jihad fighters’ leaders).
So many Muslims are becoming aware they are mislead by kleptocrats.
The fact that they might now learn that Osama was merely another one of those kleptocrats might be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
But remember, we don’t control what your average Muslim learns.
Their klepto-imams do.
Getting the message out is vital.
On point to ”What must Zawahiri be thinking right now,” I wanted to add:
Remember when Israel did its pinpoint targeting of leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah?
They, at one point, put a missile right through the center of the wheelchair seat of Yassin.
Then, the 2nd-in-command stood up and took the reins.
He was also pinpoint targeted.
Smear and car swarm.
This was followed by a 3rd leader saying, ”now I am the leader.”
Then he was killed in the same way.
All in all no more than three ”innocent” bystanders were hurt or killed during the assassinations of these three leaders.
Next a man ”came forward” by taking a nome-de guerre.
He ”led from behind” more so than anyone can accuse Obama of doing.
People didn’t even know who he really was, his own people!
And also in Hezb’allah, a ”leader” took charge – also from behind.
Nasr’allah lives in hiding, never staying in the same place twice in a row.
He runs to Iran at the least bit of a scare.
That is what happens when you make a policy of pinpoint targeting leaders of terror organizations.
And their own followers are, like all Muslims, always looking for a strong horse in their place.
Not sure what he’s thinking, but I know what I’m thinking. You’re next you no count bastard!
Wordsmith, I don’t think Zawahiri is thinking all that much, to tell you the truth. Remember that Zawahiri’s primary quest was the overthrow of Egypt. I suspect, since Obama helped shove Mubarack out the door, he’s been less concerned with the too-hot-to-function UBL, and likely working in the background with Egyptian forces in the transition to fundamental Islamism there.
I know at some point Zawahiri will be touching his forehead and be wondering… “where did this hole come from?” sort of like Bin Laden last thoughts.
Enjoy hell!
@Wordsmith: “Even those who are executed have a proper burial given to them,” said Siddiqi. “It is strictly forbade any mutilation — even of the enemy’s body.”
Funny, I seem to recall many [ American ] bodies being mutilated by those claiming to ‘cling’ to their ‘strict’ religion… Why/How do they ‘manipulate’ us so much? How/Why do we [ let ]them manipulate us so much?
———————————-
As far as Zawahiri? Hopefully he is thinking oh, crap… or he is thinking man o’ man I thought those Americans were weakened…guess not… or maybe he decided he’d better move his digs to a cave… I hope he is afraid, very afraid…
No matter, we will get him…hopefully sooner than later…
Faith, lowering ourselves to the enemy standards is what they would desire most. Despite the emotions of wanting to do a quid pro quo, that is not America.
As for Zawahiri, I’m betting the next place he shows up will be in his homeland, Egypt. That is where all eyes should turn. It’s unlikely Egypt would tolerate any unsanctioned US imposition on their territory… especially this “new and improved, democratic” Egypt. Mubarack? He would have extradited to the US at our request. But, of course, the Zero played his part in pushing Mubarack out.
Hopefully, the seals gathered enough intel to give us an inside view of the little organization. I am waiting for those clean cut American boys to get their round between the running lights, courtesy of some fancy American shooting.
Obama will be amazed at his bump in the polls and be anxious to “capitalize” on his new rep as a terrorist killing pres. He could have scored more points by being low key and letting others recognize his contribution of giving the OK, but he will be killing high profile terrorists now and it may be enough to put him over. Give credit where credit is due, Clintoon refused to take out Osama three times. He could have prevented 9/11, but he was too busy getting his knob polished and committing perjury. Why do New Yorkers love the Clintoons so much? I don’t have a clue
It would be a good time for Islamic terrorists to find a new occupation.
@FAITH7: In addition to Mata’s comment #9, I’d add that jihadis once again go contrary to their own Islamic beliefs. Like the killing of innocent civilians and fellow Muslims and going on suicide missions, they have to find justification from sources such as Ibn Taymiyyah and Sayyid Qutb when the Koran restricts them from carrying out their brand of violence.
@MataHarley: Yes, Zawahiri’s life ambition has always been more on wresting Egypt from the “un-Islamic” government of Egypt than on a desire to pursue global jihad.
Well, Wordsmith… Zawahiri need “wrestle” no more. When Egypt’s rebellion was underway, I noted that Zawahiri must be dancing in his cave. Considering UBL’s upper scale digs (for the region), I’m obviously using “cave” figuratively. LOL
@MataHarley: Mataharley – I was referring to the hypocrisy of ‘ their religion’ with my comment. You are correct, we Americans would (should) not ‘lower’ ourselves to the same disrespect they show a deceased human being. This is not my intention/nor message. Even though [we] have a list of 20 things [we ] need to do to a [muslim] body in our possession…
As far as Zawahiri showing up in Egypt? Well, as you say the Mubarak [ card ] has been played, the deck is not stacked against us. I believe there [may be] many in Egypt who are not fond of Islamic Fundamentalist who would have a serious thought about collecting [money] for turning Zawahiri in. Don’t forget there is high unemployment in Egypt – part of the unrest… which could work to the US advantage should it come to that… but again these area’s are like the wind, changing all the time…
Perhaps you aren’t keeping up on Egypt, or didn’t see the same writing on the wall that some of us have seen, Faith. The only organized political faction, other than the old regime, is the Muslim Brotherhood, and they are rising to power.
Will disagree with you. The deck is not only stacked against the US, it’s stacked against those few dumb demonstrators who actually thought they could instantly kick out a government, and have a “democratic government” in it’s place the next day.
The US has no influence in Egypt anymore, and they shun any US interference. That was made quite plain by the protestors during their little coup.
@MataHarley:
To compliment Mata’s comment, I heard this earlier today….Rubio interviewed on the Hugh Hewitt Show:
The hard drive Osama had in his compound has been delivered to intellegence agencies.
What I am hearing is that it is being rushed through so as to go after the cockroaches before they scatter.
Go, guys!
whoah this blog is fantastic i love studying your articles. Stay up the good paintings! You realize, many people are looking around for this info, you can aid them greatly.