Bin Laden is the West's Bogeyman

For those wanting justification of the West's War on Terror, Osama Bin Laden personifies the very idea of terrorism in the Western mind. His propaganda strategies coupled with the sheer magnitude of the 9-11 attacks propelled him in to another stratosphere in terms of his cultural impact.

The 21st century will be shaped by the images of the World Trade Center being hit by two planes. The rest of the century will be shaped by the trauma of that event and all the other conflicts which will be created by the massive American response in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

The deep tensions between the West and the Middle East were propelled to the center of international relations and strategic studies by these events.

As oil and military proliferation becomes an issue not only in Iran, but also Egypt and Turkey, both the European Union and the United States will be hard pressed to shape the dynamics in the region.

Additionally, India and China will be looking to play a greater role in the region by virtue of their economic growth and traditional relationships in the region.

Whether Osama Bin Laden is dead or alive, the reality he created through his acts of terrorism is only a symptom of much deeper divisions which lie ahead due to the overwhelming American response.

The US would do well to temper their foreign policy with a dose of moderation if the goal is to reduce terrorism. Sending a blunt and aggressive message merely stokes the fanaticism that resorts to terrorism. By adding a layer of sophistication to their relationship building overseas, the US could both meet its strategic objectives and ensure that it does not itself become the target of terror.