The Death of bin Laden: Reactions and Repercussions

Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the ensuing global war against terrorism, bin Laden’s death has assumed its place as the major achievement of the war on terror and of Barack Obama´s administration. It has also given rise to a variety of analyses and opinions about how al-Qaida might react.

What is for sure is that after bin Laden’s death terrorists will not cease in their efforts to threaten countries that help the United States against this international scourge. The killing of bin Laden represents a new connection between States and militant groups that do not represent any state or bear any national flag. The proliferation of terrorist cells in the world is one of bin Laden’s achievements, and what could follow is that these cells look for new leaders and new ways to carry out their objectives, which have already affected millions of people in the world.

The fight will continue against the thousands of terrorist cells that are widespread in Asian and African countries. Now the challenge will be to anticipate the proliferation of terrorist attacks in order to avoid the carnage that they create and to find strategies to prevent the expansion of these cells in Europe and other continents.

Reactions

In the face of the news, the majority of European countries, in addition to Russia and China, who since the beginning of the war on terror have been great allies of the United States, reacted in a positive way. Very few countries in the American hemisphere — just as in many world issues —made statements that were either positive or negative about this theme. The United Nations dedicated a special session to analyzing the possible consequences and issues that need to be pursued as part of a worldwide strategy to stop the advance of world terrorism.

At the same time, in the face of a possible wave of terrorist attacks to avenge the death of their greatest leader, a majority of nations find themselves faltering and on a high level of security. Because of this situation, the world will not be safer.

A New Version of the Battle against Terrorism

Already in 2009, Obama presented a new strategy to combat terrorism, in which he tried to disassociate himself from his predecessor George W. Bush. His plan emphasized that the war was exclusively directed against “… a specific network, al- Qaida, and the terrorists that help in its efforts to attack the United States and our allies.”*

In this way, Obama and his government attempted to change the strategy against global terrorism by centering their focus only on this transnational network, and not on state sponsors of terror, as a way to direct their efforts toward closing the circle on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. At that time, this shift was greatly criticized, but as of today it has given excellent results framed in the principal objective of this strategy defined by Obama and his government.

A Good Outcome for Obama’s Image

In both the United States and the world, this event represented a great political and economic triumph for Obama. The perceptions that existed about Obama’s supposed weakness in areas of international security and foreign affairs will be eclipsed by this operation that he carried out to eliminate the number one enemy of the United States.

The genesis of confidence in his management of national and international security, with regards to the fight against terrorism, will reaffirm his status as a leading authority among the major world powers and allow him to continue this battle from a balcony diametrically opposed to his predecessor and the initiator of the war against terrorism, George W. Bush.

Furthermore, Obama will receive enormous returns that will strengthen his bid for reelection, and in his campaign he can use the success of bin Laden’s assassination to the hilt; it gives him an image of security, strength and a vote of confidence for continuing effectively in this fight against terrorism. This success also leaves behind unilateral positions and returns the country to its natural alliances.

*Editor’s note: This quote, while accurately translated, could not be verified.