Surface Ripples

Bin Laden’s Legacy

Osama Bin Laden – one of the world’s most wanted (if not the most wanted) men, is dead.

Does this mean the end of Al Qaeda?

No.

Bin Laden was the spiritual head of Al Qaeda and gave it direction. Like any corporation, Al Qaeda will have a succession plan and there will be enough to take his place. Whether they will have the same impact is another question. Security and intelligence-gathering processes have improved since that ghastly day on 11 September 2001 when three thousand were killed in one of the most audacious and well-planned attacks on American soil since Pearl Harbour. Intelligence-sharing is now more common, and those who wish to be seen on the side of right know that they have one choice – cooperate or be ostracised.

So what now? It’s unlikely that there’ll be any immediate major reaction. His lieutenants will be recovering from the shock, and will then plan something. It’ll happen when security is lower, and guards are down. Extremist groups (not necessarily connected to Al Qaeda) have grown and spread like franchises. The sense of injustice at US aggression in certain parts of the world won’t disappear. If anything, it may increase now that one of the “heroes” of the oppressed has been brought down.

Like it or not, Al Qaeda is a corporation in its own right, with subsidiaries and associate companies. They are all united by an ideal and mission statement to bring down what they see as oppressors.


I was born overseas and have spent more than half my life working in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With more than 20 years in the world financial services industry running different service, operations and lending businesses, I started my own Performance Management Consultancy and work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. My website provides an excellent picture of my rich and varied portfolio of services.

Labels: Crisis Management, Risk, Strategy

posted by William Martin @ 22:04