Arab autocrats aren't the only losers in the uprisings that have, so far, toppled the leaders of Tunisia and Egypt. According to several analysts and counter-terrorism officials, the pro-democracy revolts have been just as bad for al Qaeda and other militant Islamist groups. Though al Qaeda leaders are publicly embracing the revolutions, they've essentially stood by and watched others achieve their goal of overthrowing secular regimes. Has Islamist terrorism become marginalized?
Al Qaeda can't compete against freedom: The "exhilarating" revolutions upsetting regimes across the Arab world may bring the "end of the 'war on terror,'" says Peter Beinart in The Daily Beast. As democratically elected governments take over, Osama bin Laden's "worst nightmare" is coming true: Without "corrupt flunkies for the U.S. and Israel" to rally Arabs against, al Qaeda has no appeal.
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