C_J
perhaps not eliminated in the strict sense, but certainly disrupted to the point of near-irreverence.
Post 2001, Al Qaeda gradually decentralised forming groups (AQAP, AQIM, AQIS etc) in key regions and had further setbacks after Ayman al Zawahiri was taken out last year. They remain but their profile has changed and will be seeking opportunities to regroup.
Similarly, ISIS were largely defeated by around 2007 (following “the surge”) and retreated to the desert but re-emerged in 2011 with the Syrian conflict. After their clobbering in 2018, they reverted back to being an insurgency similar to the AQI days, but their “motto” is “Endure and Remain”, so no doubt they will be looking for the right time to make a comeback.
Right, well that’s me on the watchlist now.
