Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden Timeline

Jun 06 2013
Why Militant Groups Require Strong Leadership
Effective leaders often are the difference between a militant group that falls apart and one that becomes more powerful.
May 31 2013
Inspire Magazine No. 11: Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Touts Its Influence
The online English-language publication trumpets its role in the Boston bombings and promotes low-level attacks.
May 28 2013
Jihadists Seek a New Base in Syria and Iraq
Jihadists Seek a New Base in Syria and Iraq
Transnational jihadists see the Syrian conflict as a historic opportunity to expand their area of operation.
May 23 2013
Rethinking U.S. Drone Strategy
Changes in the drone program are merely part of a larger shift underway in U.S. foreign policy.
May 23 2013
The Role of Improvised Explosive Devices in Terrorism
Bombs can generate an incredible sense of panic, anxiety and the terror that gives terrorism its name.
May 17 2013
Mali Receives Foreign Funds for Use in Its Unstable North
The money offers Bamako a powerful tool for winning over northern Malians.
May 09 2013
Ordinary Citizens: The Last Line of Defense Against Terrorism
Counterterrorism agencies cannot detect every threat and defend every possible target, but grassroots defenders can help.
Apr 23 2013
The Persistent Jihadist and Iranian Threats
The Persistent Jihadist and Iranian Threats
Al Qaeda and Iran represent ongoing threats to various targets around the world.
Apr 23 2013
Why the Boston Bombers Succeeded
Unlike many recent failed plots, the bombers did not attack a target -- or use tactics -- that were beyond their abilities.
Apr 19 2013
Lone Wolf Militants After the Boston Bombings
Grassroots Militants After the Boston Bombings
The two Chechen suspects are part of a broader post-9/11 trend of decentralized militant activity.
Apr 15 2013
Boston Explosions Another Act in the Theater of Terror
Terrorist attacks will continue to happen; how we handle them will determine their impact.
Apr 15 2013
Afghanistan and Pakistan After the 2014 NATO Drawdown
The Afghan Taliban's position in a post-NATO Afghanistan could influence their Pakistani counterparts' insurgency.

Overview

Al Qaeda has yet to follow its spectacular 9/11 attacks in the United States with anything nearly as dramatic or effective. Why? The once-centralized terrorist group is becoming more amorphous. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed at his safe-house in Abbottabad, Pakistan, May 2, 2011, by U.S. special operations forces. Yet the likelihood of another big attack could increase as memories of 9/11 fade and as jihadists hone their skills in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Key Analysis

Get our free weekly Intelligence Reports

Join over 350,000 readers on our free intel reports list.

We will never sell or share your email address or information with anyone.

Editor's Choice

Iran's Political Debate
Iran's Political Debate
Second Quarter Forecast 2013
Annual Forecast 2013
Annual Forecast 2013