Has the death of Bin Laden dealt a death blow to terrorism? I think not. It makes no difference whether the cause is just or evil. Eliminating a leader kills only the physical man (or woman), not the function. 

It’s group process. We are pack animals. The biology of pack animals demands an alpha. Contenders will sort each other out, whether peace-ably or murderously, until one emerges as the leader of the pack. 

Nature is not picky. She doesn’t demand the leader be good for the pack. Or even that the alpha be good. 

In fact, to become a leader, it helps to be bad. A concern for other people’s feelings and needs gets in the way