Effect of Obama's death on Al-Qaeda (Essay Sample)

Effect of the Death of Osama bin Laden on Al-Qaeda
Author’s Name
Institution
The Effect of the Death of Osama on Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda, one of the worst terrorist organizations in history responsible for committing atrocious terrorist activities and attacks all around the globe was dealt an immense blow when its founding father and controversial leader was killed on May 2 2011 in Abbottabad, Pakistan CITATION Faw11 \l 1033 (Gerges, 2011), five years ago. The terrorist group which has affiliates in different parts of the world had to endure the daunting task of continuing their operations without the guiding hand of their inspirational leader Osama bin Laden. The organization classified as terrorist group by the European Union CITATION Mar11 \l 1033 (Maraia, 2011), and considered illegal in most of the world’s Nations underwent several significant changes after the death of Osama. The killings of Osama send a clear message to the organizations and all its members that the world would not stand still and witness atrocities committed without taking restraining actions.
Osama was the founder of Al-Qaeda and had been its leader since the group’s inception, when he died the organization was left with a huge leadership vacuum to fill; Osama had been the group’s cultic figure and the chief orchestrator of all its terrorist activities throughout the years CITATION SSo11 \l 1033 (Sorcher, 2011). His death meant that the group lacked strong leadership; in addition, it led to wrangles between the members on who would occupy the vacant seat left by the founder. In addition, if a new leader is proclaimed he may not be able to exhume the level of appeal seen by the leader; the members might not accept him as Osama was and this will eventually expose the group’s vulnerability to counter terrorism efforts. Osama’s immediate deputy Atiya al Rahman was also killed, Rahman was Osama’s right hand man, and he depended on him to organize the execution of any major terrorist activity Al-Qaeda planned CITATION Rob14 \l 1033 (Simcox, 2014).
Since the death of Osama, Al-Qaeda has lost bits relevance in the terrorist community; several more atrocious terrorist organizations have gained ground on the organization. Other terrorist groups like Taliban, ISIS, Hezbollah, or Boko Haram have all become more important to counter terrorism efforts than Al-Qaeda leading to people questioning whether Al-Qaeda was all Osama CITATION Bym12 \l 1033 (Byman, 2012). Islamic State ion one of the groups that has enjoyed considerable success after the death of Osama, they now hold major ground in Iraq and Syria boasting of more than 30,000 fighters. In addition, the death of Osama led to many of the affiliated groups losing their loyalty for Al-Qaeda leading to breakdowns and rebellions CITATION Rob14 \l 1033 (Simcox, 2014).
It is important to note that Al-Qaeda still carried out terrorists attacks but most of these were low-key and never in west or in foreign soil; this was affiliated to the death of Osama and consequent weakening of the group. In addition, his death added renewed vigor to counter-terrorism efforts, security agencies from the United States and its allies like NATO intensified their attacks on Al-Qaeda’s and its af...