What is Al Qaeda?

Al Qaeda announced a new leader this morning. Ayman al-Zawahiri, longtime #2 to Osama bin Laden's, Dr. Evil, has been named the new leader of this terrorist organization. To me, this begs the question, not who but, "What is Al Qaeda?" Many times they are described as, "Muslim Extremist or Islamic Militants, Jihadists, etc." There is always a description that links Muslims and Islam to terrorist. Let's take a look at some of the more prominent faces of Al Qaeda:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/bin-laden-is-dead-but-al-qaeda-is-not/2011/05/02/AFZqpZbF_graphic.html

The faces of the bottom left and right may surprise you:

Anwar al-Awlaki

Nationality: United States. Holds dual American and Yemeni citizenship.Leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Adam Gadahn

Nationality: United States

Propagandist. Grew up in California and converted to Islam as a teenager. Moved to Pakistan in 1998 and appeared in several al-Qaeda videos. Indicted and charged with treason in 2006

From this day forth, I personally choose not to use any term to describe Al Qaeda, than simply referring to them as Al Qaeda. The faith of Islam, based on my own knowledge, is PEACE. But before I get off topic, back to my question, “What is Al Qaeda?” Are they simply a terrorist network? A very well-organized terrorist network with an Org Chart, succession plans, expense reports and healthcare benefits...not to mention hiring from within for positions of leadership.

To quote the Washington Post about the vetting and selection process of a successor:

Zawahiri, 59, is regarded as a deeply religious leader who had the skill and experience to help turn an Afghan guerrilla movement into a global terrorist organization. But he is also considered rigid and lacking in charisma, and terrorism experts say it is unclear whether he can rebuild an organization that has been under siege by U.S. military and intelligence forces.

U.S officials and terrorism analysts had speculated that Zawahiri might face competition for the job of al-Qaeda leader from other candidates, such as Libyan jihadis Atiyah Abd al-Rahman and Abu Yahya al-Libi, both of whom were considered more personable.

But the al-Qaeda’s general command put out a statement on Thursday announcing Zawahiri’s appointment, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors developments in radical Islamic groups.

Really, Zawahiri's weaknesses are that he is “considered rigid” and “lacking in charisma”; other candidates were considered because they are more personable...something about this synopsis really rubs me the wrong way. I'm not sure if it’s because we have the "intelligence" to gather this information, or if it’s the rational thinking makes me believe that the war with this "enemy" could indeed take 100 years (although the question was posed as Iraq) as John McCain stated during the 2008 Presidential primaries.

Will Osama bin Laden become the “Ronald Reagan” of terrorist cells worldwide? That charismatic leader that all vying for a position that he once held will strive to live up to.

Al Qaeda has [jihadist] websites, a la any “.gov” here in the U.S.; they have broadcast networks that lean towards their “political/ religious” positions a la FOXNEWS and NBC depending on your party. Al Qaeda even has different branches located throughout the globe a la the U.S. and military bases/ compounds. The branch that gives the U.S. most concern is in Yemen, which reportedly has emerged as the most powerful and active.

As much as it pains me to admit it Al Qaeda has a global presence, and operates as a Fortune 500 company or any other body of government. They apparently have a selection committee, board members and an unquestionable mission and vision for the world. So for me to finally answer my own question, “What is Al Qaeda?”

I still don’t know…

Celebrating the Death of bin Laden; I Undertand but Don't Agree

How long has Osama (Usama for FOX viewers) bin Laden been dead? There are multiple reports that he has died, or been killed, since December 2001. My own personal response to this is...SO WHAT!!! Conspiracy theories do us no good; except for distract us from other very real issues.

I am a firm believer that former President George W. Bush had nothing to do with 9/11, sorry Michael Moore; and would have taken the same action as President Obama to get rid of Osama bin Laden had the opportunity presented itself...even if he was preoccupied with terminating Saddam Hussein and liberating (oil from) Iraq. Conspiracy theorists would have me (us) believe that bin Laden not only survived in caves with a dialysis machine strapped to him like a suicide bomb, but that he also died somewhere between a week to a decade ago, depending on the motive for their story.

Had Osama bin Laden died or been killed before now, especially during the Bush presidency, I am 100% certain that George W. would have also interrupted Celebrity Apprentice to give us the news. Even worse, had this happened any time prior to the 2008 election, we would now have a McCain/ Palin White House; or at the very least, a Republican President and VP (most likely Condoleezza Rice).  Oh, yeah, and the Tea Party probably wouldn't exist...

Back to the death of Al Qaeda's leader; has bin Laden really been more than a figurehead since September 11, 2001? He was the face of the "War on Terror!" Now that his death has been confirmed, I can honestly say that I am neither overjoyed nor empathetic to either side. His death does not bring back the lives he took and seemed to only make those that lost someone to the attacks on the American Embassies abroad, the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the flights remember sadness.

It has been reported that Osama bin Laden received a proper Muslim burial at sea as to not have his gravesite become a shrine to future terrorists. Well, it looks like the media has done an even better job of turning him into a martyr, by constantly running the story of his death. With every report of his death, there are mentions of his "accomplishments" as a terrorist. Yes, we trained him, armed him, and eventually became one of his victims. Isn't this the type of vulnerability we shouldn't be showing the world? Exhibit A- Major Nidal Malik Hasan and Fort Hood; this infiltration was only two years ago. As it has been stated by many, killing Osama bin Laden is not the end; hopefully it puts us one step closer. Let us remember that while his death may be cause for Americans to celebrate, it serves as motivation for an equal number of terrorists to bring about even more death and destruction. 

With that being said, can we get back to caring for those that have lost loved ones and homes to tornados, earthquakes and tsunamis? You know, those very real issues.