Terror groups and the exploitation of turmoil

The Assad regime is reported to have stockpiles of various types of nerve and mustard gases and anthrax.

If such weapons were to fall into the hands of al Qaeda or another terrorist group, the global threat of terrorism would increase exponentially.

While there has been conjecture about the impact of the death of bin Laden on the broader al Qaeda terrorist network and whether a more radical leader would emerge, it now appears the organisation will remain splintered with no single leader taking his place.

The lack of a central point of command makes it more difficult for intelligence agencies to track and detect the plots of the various groups.

However while Osama bin Laden has gone, there are others only too willing to follow in his steps.

The world must remain vigilant to the threats and be prepared to make concerted efforts to disrupt the operations and ultimately dismantle these groups for all time.