Consider This from NPR Al Qaeda Leader Killed In U.S. Drone Strike In Afghanistan
Aug 2, 2022
Diaa Hadid, NPR's international correspondent based in Islamabad, dives into the significant news of Ayman al-Zawahiri's death in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul. The discussion highlights al-Zawahiri's rise in al-Qaeda and the implications of his elimination for U.S. foreign policy and the Taliban's role in Afghanistan. Hadid shares insights on how this event shapes global terrorism dynamics and the challenges faced by aid workers in a changing geopolitical landscape. They also contemplate the future of Afghan citizens under Taliban governance.
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Al-Zawahiri's Rise to Power
- Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden's deputy, eulogized bin Laden in a 2011 video after his death.
- Al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian eye doctor turned al-Qaeda commander, became the new leader a week later.
Location of the Strike
- President Biden announced the successful drone strike in Kabul that killed al-Zawahiri.
- The strike targeted a residential building in central Kabul, not a fortified compound.
Taliban's Broken Promise
- The Taliban agreed not to shelter al-Qaeda, but al-Zawahiri's presence in Kabul suggests otherwise.
- The U.S. tracked al-Zawahiri's family to locate him, highlighting intelligence capabilities.