The recent killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden ended the reign of the most wanted criminal on the planet. However, it hasn’t put an end his importance as an historical figure. Due to his long list of crimes and efforts to spread a radical ideology and message of global jihad, bin Laden seems destined to become one of history’s most notorious criminals. But how will history books write the bin Laden chapters? Duke University’s Dr. Bruce Lawrence, professor of Islamic Studies and inaugural director of the Duke Islamic Studies Center, takes a closer look at the life and legacy the al-Qaida leader.
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