A Damn Fine Question
The two competing theories in the counter-terrorism world are the "Centrists" and the "Bunch of Guys" theories.

The centrists argue that Al Queda Central, ie Bin Laden and Zawahri are the keystone figures in the Islamic Jihad movement. If they are gone, much of the most hardcore elements will die with them. The "Bunch of Guys," argue that the movement is shaped by ideas, is fractured, and does not depend on AQC at all.

Which is it?