Experts: 'Decapitation' May Not End Terror, Just Fuels The Movement

[bigtree]

Experts: 'Decapitation' May Not End Terror

Jan 21 2006

AP News
http://www.townhall.com/news/ap/online/headlines/D8F97N000.html

By CHARLES J. HANLEY
AP Special Correspondent

{snips}

. . . a missile strike in Pakistan has raised the question anew: Would eliminating Osama bin Laden and deputy Ayman al-Zawahri deal a mortal blow to the al-Qaida terror network?


The early-morning attack, reportedly aimed at al-Zawahri, killed 13 villagers and possibly a few second-rank al-Qaida operatives _ but not the bin Laden lieutenant. Its immediate impact could be seen in the streets of Pakistani cities, where thousands rallied, chanting "Death to America," in support of al-Qaida's "jihad," or holy war.


"Decapitation just fuels the movement itself," says Jenna Jordan, a University of Chicago scholar who has closely studied the historical record of such antiterrorist tactics.


"Al-Qaida is not one group anymore, but rather an idea," al-Sirri said. "The jihad is not about individuals. If bin Laden is killed or captured, tens of new bin Ladens will be born."


full article: http://www.townhall.com/news/ap/online/headlines/D8F97N000.html