The Backstory Behind Killing Ayman al-Zawahri

New York Times: “The early-morning strike in the heart of downtown Kabul over the weekend capped a 21-year manhunt for an Egyptian radical who more than anyone besides Bin Laden was deemed responsible for the deadliest foreign attack on the United States in modern times and never gave up targeting Americans. … Often seen sitting by Bin Laden’s side with his gray beard and fierce scowl, al-Zawahri, 71, never achieved the same global notoriety as the terrorist mastermind but was widely considered the intellectual force behind Al Qaeda.”

Associated Press: “His family, supported by the Haqqani Taliban network, had taken up residence in the home after the Taliban regained control of the country last year, following the withdrawal of U.S. forces after nearly 20 years of combat that had been intended, in part, to keep al-Qaida from regaining a base of operations in Afghanistan.”

CNN: “Throughout the months-long effort to plan this weekend’s strike, Biden repeatedly tasked his officials with ensuring civilians — including members of Zawahiri’s family — weren’t killed. None were, according to the White House.”