RAND Experts Available on Anniversary of Death of Osama bin Laden

RAND experts are available to discuss the one-year anniversary (May 2) of the killing of Osama bin Laden, and the future of the terrorist threat one year after his death. Among the topics they can address:

• What were the final days like for Osama bin Laden? How did the United States find him?
• Is al-Qaida essentially destroyed? Or has it grown under the radar?
• What is al-Qaida's leadership a year later? And how has al-Qaida shifted tactics?
• Does the United States remain a "hard target" for terrorism?
• How serious is the home-grown terrorist threat?
• Can we analyze past patterns to successfully counter al-Qaida and its allies in the future?
• Is it inevitable that a terrorist group will acquire a nuclear weapon?
• What is the range of counterterrorism policy options available to the Obama administration?

Brian Michael Jenkins is senior advisor to the RAND president. A former Army special forces officer, he is the author of "Al Qaeda in Its Third Decade: Irreversible Decline or Imminent Victory?" and "The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism."

Seth Jones is a senior political scientist specializing in counterterrorism, particularly al-Qaida. He is the author of the forthcoming book, "Hunting in the Shadows: The Pursuit of Al Qa'ida Since 9/11."

Arturo Muñoz is a senior political scientist who served 29 years at the Central Intelligence Agency, including the CIA Counterterrorism Center. He is co-author of "The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism."

Peter Chalk is a senior political scientist specializing in evolving trends in national and international terrorism. He authored the commentary "What Is the Terrorism Threat Now? The Local Level" and the study "The Evolving Terrorist Threat to Southeast Asia: A Net Assessment."

Angel Rabasa is a senior political scientist focusing on extremism, terrorism, and insurgency. He is the author of "Deradicalizing Islamist Extremists" and "The Lessons of Mumbai."

Brian Jackson is a senior physical scientist focusing on homeland security and terrorism preparedness, including analyzing terrorist behavior and adaptive responses to homeland security measures. He is co-author of "Understanding the Role of Deterrence in Counterterrorism Security" and "Understanding Why Terrorist Operations Succeed or Fail."