Al Qaeda's Persistent Threat: A Reality Check for Washington The devastating 9/11 attacks marked a turning point in modern history, but as the world marks 25 years since that fateful day, it is striking to see how much attention has shifted from the original terrorist mastermind behind those attacks – Osama bin Laden and his global jihadist network, al Qaeda.
The organization that once unified disparate extremist groups under a banner of global jihad has evolved into a decentralized force with regional branches and affiliates.
Its actions continue to wreak havoc on various parts of the world, from the Sahel region in Africa to Afghanistan, where its influence remains strong.