Bin Laden's Death Has Ended al-Qaeda's Threat - Research Paper Example

 Topic: The death of Osama Bin Laden has ended the threat from the terrorist organization al-Qaeda (Discuss) When Osama bin Laden was killed by elite American military forces at Pakistan in a ‘targeted operation’ last May 2, the United States President Barack Obama announced to the whole world that its number one public enemy finally came to rest and was thereafter buried under the sea. Does Osama bin Laden's death ended the threat from al-Qaeda terrorist organization or has not? This essay will delve into the argument ‘that the death of bin Laden has ended the threat from the terrorist organization”; argue that there remains problems on security; and propose measures to counter this problems. Remembering Bin Laden Osama bin Laden (OBL) was the suspect of the American government after that disastrous 9/11 attacks which killed peoples and damaged properties. Authorities considered that historic incident as an attack targeted against civilians and military. In a decade, OBL topped among the most wanted persons in the world with US $ 25or $50 million bounty on his head. OBL came from affluent family based in Riyadh of Saudi Arabia. Reports mentioned that he married about six wives, divorced two of them, and from them, he begot more than 20 children that are accordingly staying nowadays in Iran. In many documented interviews, OBL admitted to have supported many groups advocating for Islamic resurgence movement in the 90s. He also admitted militant positions which renounced or rejected the western culture as an anathema of Islamic faith. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) linked bin Laden to a number of bombing incidences in most embassies of United States offshore, often in African nations (FBIS, 2011) . His death in May of 2011 was received jubilant acceptance of 9/11 victims who have unceasingly grieved for their beloved and prayed for justice. On the other hand, those who were sympathetic to the cause of OBL, mourned for him and vowed to avenge his death. President Obama, who rejoiced to have offered justice for the victims and for the families of soldiers who died in the counterterrorist operations in countries which have provided lairs for terrorists’ organizations, have not loosened security measures but instead heightened security alert level to counter retaliatory acts from OBL’s followers. The same security advisory was sent to allied nations for coordinative measures. He prided that all these efforts are part of the sacrifices to make this world a safer place to live and for democracy to sustain. The Successor Few days after the death of bin Laden, security personnel were able to immediately gather information that Ayman Mohammad Rabie al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian emir and a physician, will replace OBL’s seat. Like his predecessor who has far-reaching network, al-Zawahiri was suspected to have supported jihad movement too in Bosnia, Croatia, and Albania. His travels in Europe and US were reportedly monitored by the FBI. Wary with the serious implication of unending terrorist organization's occult operations which may toil its momentum in the future, Obama immediately ordered the immediate tracking of these personalities. Meanwhile, as analysts perceived significant decline of terrorists influence among its networks, it is still however forecasted that foreign terrorists’ organization (FTO) will shift their operational movement strategies. They may, in the succeeding years, focused in regionalizing their ideological campaigns and extol bin Laden, their leader, as symbol of martyrdom. In so doing, they will be able to continue the jihad movement from nations they considered as kafir or non-believer of their faith (Berner, 2007). As such, OBL’s teachings and doctrines would be certainly handed to generations which may have far-reaching unpredictable impacts in the future. Berners (2007) quoted OBL to have mentioned in his interviews that Al-Qaeda was organized to fight against the infidels and to those who refused to follow the Islamic laws and those who oppresses the Islamic nations. They demanded from the American government to stop exacerbating "anti-Muslims" sentiments, cease militarism and to stop supporting groups which authored destruction or annihilation of Muslim communities. They also demanded from America to cease in interfering in their own politics and of introducing western education (p. 13). Moreover, as conservatives, they also reject western liberal culture, especially on such tolerance on fornication, homosexuality, gambling and of onerous trading (p. 14). They also argued that America is supported by Jews, a nation against whom they’ve nurtured such deep ire for ages. As such, al-Qaeda seeks to motivate Muslim countries to rise and fight against the Americans (p. 53). This purview will remain appealing for young mujahedeen who are nurtured on jihadism and of conservative cultures, rooted and ascribed in the Holy Qur'an and in the Sunnah, where they sourced their systems, human relations and their traditions. Hence, from this vantage, threats could still possibly mount in the future if some Qur’anic tenets will continually be interpreted and highlighted to focus on clashing civilizations instead of nurturing religious tolerance and interreligious dialogues amongst nations. Death and Serious Implications Indeed, bin Laden's death affirmed the success of such costly global counterterrorism movement and operations. It also confirmed that leaders will be succeeded by followers and further validated allied fears that retaliation is not impossible. However, state security personnel understood that jihadism goes beyond the structure of al-Qaeda group as they devolved in small cells within the regions (Stewart, 2011). Some of them are perceived well-trained in warfare and are imbued with deep wisdom on Islamic fundamentalist’s views. With such qualities and far-reaching network, they can recruit and educate sympathetic followers still. Security forces therefore must enhance their intellectual skills as they’d orbit within regionalized battlefields and within the ideological realm--responding to propaganda in the battle of the minds. With growing factionalism and regionalization of their movements, forces can wage the conflict by maximizing the current weaknesses of the group and tracking them in all of its activities. Al-Zawahiri, as the alleged new leader, might be re-strategizing its advocacies too but will certainly struggle to cope expectations to par the ability of the former amir. The regionalized movements of the network have actually downgraded its operational scale and may have somewhat declined the physical threats. But as they vow to avenge the death of their leaders, security forces should not relapse from their duties. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations with Muslim countries must be heightened while simultaneously and strategically addressing issues on transnational terrorism (Karon, 2011) in specific Asian countries and by offering peace supports in regions riddled with conflict situations. This could be part of the strategic shift in Washington, noting such fact that the death of OBL did not totally destroyed the terrorist networks but simply weakened them. Washington has also need to enhance its security apparatuses with re-defined counterinsurgency and counterterrorist strategies in all of its focused countries by offering hands for diplomatic ties, either for political or economic causes. Helping Nations as Security Managers The American nation, bearer of such integrity as leader of world security, must strengthen its security management as well. This means America must sustain to illustrate its dynamic, innovative and critical initiatives to major and complex security issues affecting nations (Harsco, 2011). Thus, America can best provide security advice for nations seeking holistic and global security program on safeguarding society and of mitigating risks. Such program for global security may respond to core critical issues on security-related incidents; development of community-based protection measures anchored on conflict-mediation, peace-building and dialogues; and provision of risk management direction or expertise to integrate operational analyses and in-depth investigation of causes to concretely support crisis management (Harsco, 2011). Since global economic concerns have hit in all nations, America can also inculcate to its allied nations an innovative security management that is cost-effective and protective of all state’s assets (Harsco, 2011). They can also assist partner nations to develop the interfacing of security-related policies, mechanisms, guideline, or standards and extol those best practices that made the communities happy. All of these security management strategies should be intertwined and coordinated in the implementation of emergency or crisis response as well as of disaster recovery (Harsco, 2011). American forces can also train nations to integrate its security program with business management for cooperative goals; enhance capacities on conflict management by engaging allied forces on value creation in security management and in professionalizing their relations with peoples, especially in conflict-affected nations (Harsco, 2011). Supporting Peace Process & Dialogues Enhancing political relations with these nations to discourage escalation of conflict situation, America can support the peace process of those nations that are dialoguing for genuine and sustainable peace. To cite an instance, America can equally benefit from negotiations if the peace processes between the Moro Islamic and Liberation Front (MILF) and Communist Part of the Philippines/National Democratic Front with the Philippine government will end with comprehensive compacts or agreements. Peace dialogues among civil society in Afghanistan should also be rigorously supported, including the integration of developmental plans as part of their initiatives to reconstruct their nation from such traumatic war and from poor governance. Since American forces have taken part in crashing the terrorist lairs, it must be also visible in helping develop political settlement and national consensus for lasting peace in Afghanistan. It must support the inclusion of civil society in peace and development initiatives and make them accountable for responsible governance. In such way, they will be able to develop ownership of developmental plans and also consequently help widen the political, social, and economic goals inclusive of there dreams and aspirations while continually reconstructing their respective nations (Adam & Blomberg, 2010). The same peace policy support can also be provided in Korea, Indonesia and in other countries working on grassroot-based peace processes. As other nations are incessantly doing social discourse to shape its direction, America in complementation openly advocate for multiculturalism and interfaith dialogues to resolve issues on difference. Hence, discourage conflicts that may escalate into a magnitude which may victimize greater number of innocent peoples. Conclusion Based on the preceding discussions, threats have not totally extinguished with the death of OBL. The foreign terrorist organizations and its networks are only weakened by the death of OBL. Successful as it is, but such historic demise did not totally destroy the structures of the organization nor crashed the idealism nurtured among militant ideologues. Thus, while heightening security measures, it is equally essential to uphold the values of peace-building, multiculturalism, dialogues and about enhance diplomatic relations. At the outset, officials considered OBL’s death have policy implications to direct and indirect allies, in homeland security, on military forces’ considerations and in foreign relations. It posed to Americans to remove the terrorist’s cell and consider it as an imperative for security. Thus, the need to re-strategize all responses (p. 17) contextualized on assessments made by allied partners. The FBI and other security agencies affirmed that there recent mandates include risk mitigation, responding to state adversaries, securing the world from massive destruction, protection of civilian communities, conducting cyberspace operations, and reducing negative impacts of possible disasters (p.18). All these must be taken seriously while confronting all threats—part of the aftermath of OBL’s death. Terrorist groups plan to avenge OBL’s death may not be undertaken immediately, but knowing their capabilities and political will, it can be predicted to happen in the future. As such, the challenge is posed to all intelligence operatives to track their movements and critically forecast possible threats. America therefore must have concrete assessment on politico-economic situation of all nations, especially in countries where violent extremists are roving. Operations should however be done cost-efficiently to ensure the benefit of operational success. Meanwhile, other state departments should uphold security management through education and of improving social relations to reject heinous ideology. True, the war on terror is complex and unconventional mechanism of confronting peoples’ differences. Such conflict should be understood as a confluence of multifaceted convictions, systems, and ideological influences. Efforts therefore must have deep sensitivities to differences and initiatives. Information should not be manipulated to induce executive decisions that will exacerbate conflict situations. The ways must persuade the ublic to be supportive of the effort, hence discourage hawkish agenda that politicize the intelligence works (FBI, 2011). Matters should therefore be dealt objectively and self-critically. The intelligence community should contextualize their decisions on validated and empirical information, not on some baseless opinions. They need to be professional in understanding developments in all core nations and to be honorable with state secrets as part of the police and military initiatives. Moreover, there is also a need to understand that some people are incline to support violent agenda not only due to sheer religious fundamentalism but also of empirical realities which marginalized them to access education, social supports, opportunities and of developments. Institutions and agencies, supportive of development agenda, should also help facilitate rebuild war torn and conflict-ridden nations. The challenge of localizing the United Nations Millennium Agenda here is therefore both crucial and essential. Let these Muslim civilians, in affected nations, also experience peace and provide them access to social services, the most vital social agenda that they’ve been wanting. Furthermore, education should also be prioritized for children and teenagers in conflict-affected countries to enable them to become responsible citizens of their respective nations. Health supports should also be provided for women and children to change positively their conditions. United Nations can also provide infrastructure supports for their use such as health centers and water systems. These were afforded in conflict-affected communities in Philippines and, no doubt, will be helpful too if replicated as a development program for these nations. This way, they are able to restore their normal lives and are empowered to assume responsibilities in improving their conditions. They should also be assisted in cultivating resiliency. This is needed particularly in Afghanistan and in Iraq. The post-war reconstruction and efforts can help shift relations and develop coordinative development efforts with these affected nations. Platforms of communication should also be developed to nurture understanding and to bridge social gaps or to appreciate differences. This is the only way to build a community of nations with cohesion and mutual respect. It is vital for them to realize that peace is more relevant than war; that food is better than armaments; education is essential than warfare; and focusing on economic needs is more essential than building war zones. More than that, even if this isn’t a religious conflict, it is relevant for them to understand too that national differences do not make people different in the eyes of God, albeit varying denominations. In this era where all nations are challenged on sustainability, peace is a must for all social frameworks to work in favor of civilizations. References Adam Z. Rose & S. Brock Blomberg, 2010. ‘Total Economic Consequences of Terrorist Attacks: Insights from 9/11.’ Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy, Berkeley Electronic Press, vol. 16(1), 2. Berner, Brad K., 2007. “Quotations from Osama bin Ladin.” Peacock Books, New Delhi. http://books.google.com/books?id=ytwlNcIqYs0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Osama+bin+Laden&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=true Accessed August 10, 2011. FBIS, 2004, “Compilation of Usama bin Laden Statements.” FBIS Report. http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/ubl-fbis.pdf pp. pp. 1-277 Accessed August 11, 2011. Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2011. “FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives FAQ” . FBI.com.. Accessed: August 10, 2011. Harsco, 2011. Global Security Manager. Harsco, Inc., PA, United States. Http://www.harsco.com/careers/detials.aspx?id=1181. Accessed: August 10, 2011. Karon, Tony, 2011. “Pakistan May Have Been Cheating on the US, but Don't Expect the Marrage to End”. Time.com. Tampa, Florida. Stewart, Scott, 2011. BinLaden's Death and the Implications for Jihadism. Stratfor Global Intelligence. Austin, USA. Read More