Marc Lynch collects his thoughts:
The fact is, al-Qaeda had already been effectively marginalized within the mainstream of the Arab world long before bin Laden died. His death removes the only al-Qaeda figure still able to speak effectively to that Arab mainstream, and marks the end of an era of Arab politics which had already largely faded away. Al-Qaeda's marginalization in Arab politics has been developing for a long time, and will only be further advanced by bin Laden's death. How this happened, and how it matters for the rapidly evolving Arab world, are the questions which now need attention.
To have witnessed an Arab Spring that sidelined this monster and now to see the head cut off the rotting fish is a new day.
The Dish 