Why "Geronimo" was the Perfect Code Name for bin Laden

I find it very interesting that the code name "Geronimo" was used for bin Laden in the recent operation that resulted in his death.  In two previous blogs, I made reference to a recent book which drew parallels between bin Laden and Geronimo, who was the "Nant’an", or spiritual leader of the Apache Nation.  I have re-posted the relevant portion of my blog below and provided a link to the original, which also discusses why he would never be taken alive.

From my  blog, Feb 16, 2011:

Like many emergent organizations, al Qaeda and its offshoots are leaderless, yet high performing. In the book The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations, the authors state the reason al Qaeda became so powerful is that bin Laden never assumed a traditional leadership role of the organization.

The book uses a very applicable illustration, discussing how the Apache Indians managed to hold off the Spanish Army for over 200 years. They had no Chief; instead, they had a Nant’an, a spiritual and cultural leader. He led by example and had no positional or coercive power. The Apaches followed him because they wanted to, not because they had to. Geronimo was a Nant’an, and although he was never in an official leadership position, he had great power and many wanted to take up arms and fight next to him.

Another reason the Spanish Army could not defeat the Apaches is attributed to the way the Apaches were organized – power was spread out and the organization was decentralized. A raid on a Spanish settlement could be planned, organized, and executed in three different places. In fact, attacks by the Spanish made the Apaches stronger, and they became even more dispersed and decentralized.

Ori Brafman, Rod A. Beckstrom The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations (Portfolio Publishers, 2006)

We now realize the military principle of decimation, or lopping off the top 10% of the organization, will not result in the demise of al Qaeda. In fact, according to a landmark RAND study entitled "How Terrorist Groups End" - the military solution is only effective 7% of the time. More effective are the microlevel changes - the small course corrections and engagements that lead to overall success.

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Now that he is dead, bin Laden is no longer al Qaeda's Nant'an, or spiritual leader.  However, al Qaeda will go on since its true leader emerged post 9/11:  the radical ideology itself.

This battlefield really lies in the hearts and minds of the Jihadists, and it is there we will find our victory.

http://jennihesterman.blogspot.com/2010/03/bin-laden-is-irrelevant.html