Al Qa’ida after the Leadership of Ayman al Zawahiri

Ayman al Zawahiri has led al Qa’ida since the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011. But since November 2020 there have been rumors that he’s the leader no more, having died of an illness. Al Qa’ida has yet to confirm the news, but al Zawahiri has not issued a statement that would debunk it, either. His death would leave the group without an apparent heir, and the question of what lies ahead for the group. However, it seems al Qa’ida supporters do not fear the day al Zawahiri is no longer around. As with bin Laden’s death, they do not see the future of the group as dependent on a single individual, and with a plethora of seasoned leaders around, they are confident al Zawahiri’s successor will be capable of leading the group. A new generation of leadership is being groomed for future leadership positions. Many have been killed in previous years, but not all. Despite years of war, assassinations, and isolation, al Qa’ida’s leadership remains resilient and prepared to weather further shocks, meaning it continues to remain relevant as a terrorism threat to the West. Read more at Lawfare.