Current Defense Policies - Essay Example

Introduction The essay is about the Implications of Bin Laden’s Death on Al-Qaeda, on Pakistan, and on the United s. Although there is reason to believe that the death of Bin Laden signals the end of terrorist attacks in the U.S., an impending retribution might be in the works due to the fanaticism of the group, as well as the wide range and influence of its members. The article by James Forest is about the death of Bin Laden and the repercussions of the event on Al-Qaeda, on Pakistan, and on the future of terrorism in the United States.

Forest expressed, in his article, his disagreement over the withdrawal of U.S. financial and diplomatic aid in Pakistan asserting that most of the Pakistani leaders were unaware that the terrorist was taking refuge in their country (Forest 2011). In addition, he also alleged that the end of Al-Qaeda’s reign of terror is inevitable since majority of the Muslim world has forsaken them, as well as their cause, and with Bin Laden gone, finances might die down to nothing (Forest 2011). Analysis Forest (2011) asserted that the withdrawal of U.

S troops, and funding in Pakistan was uncalled for since they were ignorant of Bin Laden’s occupation in their country. The alliance between the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban is no secret. According to Omar bin Laden (Maclean 2010); the success of Al-Qaeda lies in their alliance with the Taliban. Although there is no concrete proof to establish the ties between the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) and the two Islamic militia, ISIs history of working with drug dealers and Islamic extremist, their involvement in delivering Taliban to power in Afghanistan in the 1990s, as well as their association with the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, cannot be put to rest (Inter-services Intelligence, 2011).

The Central Intelligence Agency and the ISI has successfully worked together to seize many Al-Qaeda operatives in Pakistan. However, ISIs hesitance to carry-out tribal operations in the Afghan border, where many Al-Qaeda members take refuge, as well as their resistance to arrest Afghan Taliban fighters, makes their position questionable (Inter-services Intelligence, 2011). Forest also presumed that the end of Al-Qaeda is inevitable (Forest 2011). The devotion of the Al-Qaedan recruits to their ideals is deep-rooted.

They are fueled by the Muslim brutality that they witnessed during the Soviet occupation, Persian Gulf War, and the African and Arab regimes (Fineman and Braun 2001). They were not forced to join, but they volunteered and they are more than willing to die for their cause (Fineman and Braun 2001). Bin Laden urged his people to be patient and there is no doubt that they will embody patience (Fineman and Braun 2001). Conclusion The undeniable association between the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban as well as ISIs history of helping Islamic militants is reason enough to doubt Pakistan’s claim of ignorance over Osama’s residency in the country.

Also, the strong devotion of Al-Qaeda’s members, their intelligence as well as their means, should not be taken lightly as they may be planning to retaliate against the United States at this very moment. Although the author’s credential and expertise in terrorism and national security is infallible, the precision and stealthy nature of Al-Qaeda’s attacks, as well as the dedication of its people to uphold its cause, should be reason enough for the U.S to reinforce its defense and expect retaliation.

Works Cited Forest, James. 2011. “The future of Al-Qaida without Bin Laden.” Praeger Security International, May 10, http://psi.praeger.com.ezproxy2.apus.edu/doc.aspx?q=US+defense+policy&newsearch=1&c=&p=0&s=pd&newindex=&orig_search=obama%27s+US+defense+ policy&adv_search=1&num=1&freeform=&op_0=&term_0=obama%27s+US+ defense+policy&index_0=words&d=/commentary/Forest-20110510.xml&i=1 #txmlhit (accessed May 18, 2011). Inter-services intelligence. (ISI). 2011. The New York Times, May 5, http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/i/ interservices_intelligence/index.

html (accessed May 18, 2011). Maclean, William. 2010. “Bin Laden’s son: No ‘love’ among Qaeda-Taliban.” Reuters, January 6, http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/01/ 26/us-security-afghanistan-binladen-intervi-idUSTRE60P4A320100126 (accessed May 18, 2011). Fineman, Mark, and Stephen Braun. 2001. “Life inside Al Qaeda: A destructive devotion.” Los Angeles Times, September 24, http://www.rickross.com/reference/alqaeda/alqaeda10.html (accessed May 18, 2011).