Osama bin Laden shook the world on 9/11. Today it is clear how his wider plans failed
The al-Qaida leader envisaged an economically battered US withdrawing from the Middle East – and a global Muslim uprising. Then the tide turned
TL;DR
- Osama bin Laden's 9/11 attacks did not achieve his core strategic aims.
- His plan to weaken the US economically and force a Middle East withdrawal failed, as did his goal of a global Muslim uprising.
- While the 'war on terror' led to significant costs and destabilization, al-Qaida and IS have not achieved widespread, lasting victories and are now largely confined to peripheral regions.
- The lack of prominent charismatic leaders in current extremist groups is due to swift elimination by the US and a diminished era for such influence.
- Though al-Qaida still exists, its survival is not considered a victory, and the era of charismatic leaders commanding significant followings is over.