Replacing OBL

The airwaves this week were full of information and commentary on the killing of Osama bin Laden and the repercussions of the event will go on for some time. It is interesting to note that the killing of the world’s most famous terrorist - and perhaps the most famous Arab of the 20/21st Century - means both very little and quite a lot. There are still thousands of extremists all over the world who were and will continue to be inspired by him. And as a result, our lives will continue to be molded by the need to combat them. Therefore, one could argue that his death really doesn’t change anything.

On the other hand, his defeat has real symbolic and practical consequences for millions of people. Does his demise send a message to his followers about the futility of their methods? How does it change (or end) the mission of U.S. forces in Afghanistan? Does it alter our policies toward Afghanistan? Pakistan? Iraq? Other Arab nations? Do the peaceful pro-democratic movements in Tunisia and Egypt, coupled with bin Laden’s death, usher in a new era in the economic and political development of that part of the world?

I don’t know. But here’s my wishful thinking on the topic. The people of the Middle East have a lot of problems. These problems stem from a long history of colonialism, tribalism, poverty, repression and ignorance. But I think that is changing and the change is being spurred by technology. While military might, the influence of money and the shackles of tribalism still dominate the area, the “Arab spring” movement, I think, shows that even poorer people in the region see firsthand – through internet/mobile technology/social media - the success of countries that were once like them (notably: China, India) and they ask “How come we’re not building our economies and making people’s lives better?” and “What happens to us when the oil money runs out?”. As a result, they may be changing their thinking from one of blaming the West or the other tribe’s sect or Israel and taking a hard look at themselves. And this self-examination has the potential to turn them away from violence-oriented solutions (for who has suffered more from sectarian violence than the Arab people?) and toward true nation building. What they need now is a Gandhi or MLK-like figure to rally people around non-violence and a recognition of everyone’s right to live in peace and prosperity. I hope that person emerges and replaces bin Laden as the most famous Arab of the 21st century.