On September 11, 2001, the entire world shook when the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked by Al Qaeda. Not only was Osama Bin Laden responsible for the terrorist attacks on 9-11, but for two American embassies in East Africa, the U.S.S. Cole in Yemen, and countless others. Now on May 1, 2011, Osama Bin Laden -- the mastermind behind the worst attack on American soil -- is dead. Bin Laden was said to be killed today in a secret operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in a secret executive order executed last week by the Commander in Chief conducted under U.S. intelligence. Confirmation was not made until his body was identified. Ironically this comes on the 8th anniversary of President Bush's ‘Mission Accomplished’ speech.
The Global War on Terror's inception by the Bush Administration brought the United States to Afghanistan to avenge the deaths of those lost on 9-11. It would eventually spread to Iraq as a rumored supporter and harborer of Al Qaeda and his so-called ‘possession’ of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs). So now that the world's foremost terrorist is dead, what happens?
The most obvious is a sigh of relief. Relief for the American people and particularly for the families who lost loved ones on September 11 and the men and women in uniform who lost their lives overseas. This sigh of relief was demonstrated as a large crowd congregated in front of the White House and at Ground Zero chanting, "USA! USA! USA!" and singing the National Anthem. This comes as feeling of relief to other people in the world as well, especially those in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The second is a continued metamorphosis of Al Qaeda. As President Obama mentioned in his speech, “Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must –- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad." Al Qaeda could possibly retaliate or dismember at this point in time. The latter is less likely since there are still many who could take Bin Laden’s place. One such person is a man who has been emulating Bin Laden, Sheikh Abu Yahya Al Libi.
Al Libi initially was a member of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (Linked with Al Qaeda) and was on its Shari’a Council. His religious training took place in the North African country of Mauritania. In 2005, he escaped the Bagram U.S. military prison in Afghanistan, and since has made a more obvious international presence. Al Libi’s chief contender is Bin Laden’s right-hand and deputy Dr. Ayman Al Zawahiri – who seems more or less the likely candidate. This could potentially cause a rift in Al Qaeda. Much cannot be said right now on what will happen next. Nevertheless, a sense of hope and further value has been embedded to our relentless effort for the past decade in the Middle East, especially in Afghanistan.
In all this, the upcoming 2012 presidential elections will be looking up for President Obama as this may be his breaking point. A common belief is being shared that President Obama did in three years what President Bush could not do in eight. The upcoming days will be a crucial time for the American government and the rest of the world. As long as the world remembers, the 54th President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama will go down in history as the man who killed Osama Bin Laden. This historic moment will forever be remembered.
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