Critical Releases in Homeland Security: May 18, 2011

This Special Issue of the May 2011 U.S. Military Academy's Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) Sentinel is devoted to the death of Usama bin Laden and the future of Al-Qa'ida and features the following articles: "Bin Ladin's Death Through the Lens of Al-Qa'ida's Confidential Secretary" by Nelly Lahoud, "Bin Ladin's Killing and its Effect on Al-Qa'ida: What Comes Next?" by Bruce Hoffman, "Bin Ladin's Location Reveals Limits of Liaison Intelligence Relationships" by Charles Faddis, "How Bin Ladin's Death Will Affect Al-Qa'ida's Regional Franchises" by Camille Tawil, "Special Operations Forces and the Raid Against Bin Ladin: Policymaker Considerations in Combating Terrorism" by Michele L. Malvesti & Frances Fragos Townsend, "The Impact of Bin Ladin's Death on AQAP in Yemen" by Gregory D. Johnsen and "The Impact of Bin Ladin's Death on AQIM in North Africa" by Geoff D. Porter. The issue concludes with expert insight from Dell L. Dailey, Elliott Abrams, Frank Taylor, Juan C. Zarate, Mark Kimmitt, Michael F. Walker, Rohan Gunaratna and Thomas W. O'Connell

"The foundation of the United States' international cyberspace policy is the belief that networked technologies hold immense potential for our Nation, and for the world. Over the last three decades we, the United States, have watched these technologies revolutionize our economy and transform of our daily lives. We have also witnessed offline challenges, like exploitation and aggression, move into cyberspace. As we adapt to meet those challenges, we will lead by example. The United States will pursue an international cyberspace policy that empowers the innovation that drives our economy and improves lives here and abroad. In all this work, we are grounded in principles essential not just to American foreign policy, but to the future of the Internet itself. [...] Our policies flow from a commitment to both preserving the best of cyberspace and safeguarding our principles. Our international cyberspace policy reflects our core commitments to fundamental freedoms, privacy, and the free flow of information."

"The May 1, 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden (OBL) by U.S. forces in Pakistan has led to a range of views about near- and long-term security and foreign policy implications for the United States. Experts have a range of views about the killing of OBL. Some consider his death to be a largely symbolic event, while others believe it marks a significant achievement in U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Individuals suggesting that his death lacks great significance argue that U.S. and allied actions had eroded OBL's ability to provide direction and support to Al Qaeda (AQ). For these analysts, OBL's influence declined following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan to a point where prior to his death he was the figurehead of an ideological movement. This argument reasons that a shift of terrorist capability has occurred away from the core of AQ to affiliated organizations. Still others argue that OBL pursued a strategy of developing the AQ organization into an ideological movement thus making it more difficult to defeat. They contend that, even if OBL were no longer involved in the decision-making apparatus of AQ, his role as the inspirational leader of the organization was far more important than any operational advice he might offer. As such, his death may not negatively affect the actions of the ideological adherents of AQ and as a martyr he may attract and inspire a greater number of followers."