Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden Timeline

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.
Apr 04 2013
Al Shabaab's Hideout in Northern Somalia
Militant Hideouts in the Sinai Peninsula
Increasing militant activity in the barren region is concerning for both Egypt and Israel.
Apr 01 2013
Iraq: Gunmen Attack Akkas Natural Gas Field
Militants attacked workers at the Akkas natural gas field in Anbar province, killing at least four people and kidnapping two others, Reuters reported April 1. The field, which is not currently producing natural gas, is operated by Korea Gas Corporation. The militants attacked a camp set up by local contractors hired by the Korean company. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though security officials said local al Qaeda militants are regaining strength in areas near the Syrian border.
Feb 28 2013
Fire: The Overlooked Threat
Whether it is part of an attack or an accident, fire is a deadly force for which everyone should be prepared.
Feb 14 2013
Soft Targets Back in Focus
Increased security leads terrorists to try bigger attacks, seek out vulnerabilities or look for easier targets.
Jan 31 2013
Mali: French Airstrikes Hit Islamist Base
The French air force bombed targets in the northern Malian city of Kidal, the last Islamist militant stronghold in the country, AFP reported Jan. 31. Ground troops assembled outside the gates of Kidal as French aircraft attacked command centers, training camps and supply depots operated by Islamist fighters, according to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. French military operations have caused the Islamist militia Ansar Dine to fracture and put pressure on other Islamist forces in the country.

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

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