The death of bin Laden is not really significant, in terms of its effect on the war in Afghanistan or anywhere else, says an RMIT University international security expert.

Dr Binoy Kampmark, a freelance consultant with the UK History Channel and who publishes frequently on conflict, diplomacy and the various crises confronting international society, says operatives will fill bin Laden’s shoes and the intellectual aspect of the movement is still well and truly kicking.

“In fact, a dead bin Laden may well be more useful than one who is alive.

“Myths and martyrs are so important in revolutionary movements, and bin Laden's death is no exception,” he said.

According to Kampmark, while the conflict of the ‘War on Terror’ has been highly personalised from the Bush presidency onwards, it is very difficult to personalise a terrorist franchise such as Al-Qaeda and it distorts policy objectives.

“Though bin Laden has been a charismatic figurehead, Al-Qaeda is about much more than one man,” he said.

Dr Kampmark is a Lecturer in RMIT's School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning and an expert on security and international relations. His research interests include terrorism, history, Australian and US foreign policy.