Every major news corporation has reported that Osama Bin Laden has been killed by a US mission in Islamabad, Pakistan. He was targeted and killed in a mansion in the city, news sources have stated. It appears that it was a manned mission, as opposed to that of a drone attack, which is very commonly used by the US and NATO in Afghanistan and the borders of Pakistan. Bin Laden's body is in US custody and his DNA has been double checked for accuracy. Of course many will deny this report online and in news media, particularly those supporters of al Qaeda; however Qaeda can use his death as a huge martyrdom experiment to recruit and inspire recruits. This will be a tangible success for the US and its mission on the 'war on terror,' but this does not mean that al Qaeda will fall apart in the short run, and perhaps not in the long run either. Al Qaeda has splintered into so many groups and factions throughout the world that although the head of the group has been killed, the loss of his direct leadership will be minimal on most groups affiliated with al Qaeda, such as al Shabaab in Somalia.
It is fascinating that this operation was successful during the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, called the Arab Spring. Will it have any affect on the protesters and demonstrators as a way to inspire them that the symbol of Islamic extremism has been killed? By bringing down this symbol, perhaps it can invigorate these MENA citizens to rebel harder against their own dictators, to start a new era that accurately represents Islam and governance not just for the region, but for the world.
Some things that are interesting which I have been hearing and reading from these various news media outlets:
1) Al Qaeda will strike back hard; therefore the US has not scaled down any security measures around the world just because the AQ leader is dead;
2) Although bin Laden was killed in Pakistan, Pakistan has vehemently denied his presence in their country. Afghanistan, on the other hand, reiterated that bin Laden was not stationed in Afghanistan, but was in Pakistan this entire time.
3) Several hundred people outside the White House are celebrating the news, singing the national anthem and chanting "USA, USA."
The operation was a man mission, being led by the military but in cahoots with the US. Obama directed Leon Panetta, director of the CIA to make killing/capturing bin Laden the top priority, and last August, he got a lead to where bin Laden was hiding in a compound in Pakistan. Last week Obama authorized the mission and today he gave the mission a go. No Amriecans were harmed as it was a small unit of men, yet there was a small firefight, with led to the killing of bin Laden and captured his body.
Basically Obama said talked up 'war on terror' mission in Afghanistan, although bin Laden remained at large until today. He said that it was a significant achievement in effort to rid AQ, but understands the war is not over. He reiterated that the US is not a war against Islam. He also noted that there was cooperation with Pakistan, even though the Pakistani intelligence service is constantly accused of colluding with the Taliban and even aiding bin Laden. Some of his memorable quotes will be "Justice has been done" for those affected by bin Laden's terror and "America can do whatever we set out mind too," which is also a segue into his political campaign.
Obama really struck on the 'gaping hole in our hearts' for those lost in 9/11. The tie with the events of 9/11 is really the only one with Bin Laden in recent memory. This is a good thing that there weren't more large scale attacks orchestrated by bin Laden. Other than any repercussions on al Qaeda and how they will react to this news, it will also be interesting to see how the US's global power is viewed and how the US's relationship with Pakistan will continue.
