U.S. commandos kill Osama bin Laden
and topped with razor wire. U.S. intelligence noted that although it was valued at a $1 million, it had no telephone or Internet connection. Also, unlike neighboring residencies which left their trash for collection outside their gates, the residents of this compound were in the habit of burning their own trash. Another anomaly: although the residents of the compound were listed as two brother and a sister and their children, the number of people who appeared to live in the compound was much larger and their ages did not match the ages of families with kids.
Analysis
1. The killing of Bin Laden is an impressive achievement for the U.S. intelligence community and military. In the military they say that persistence overcomes resistance, and in this case, the sheer persistence of the U.S. intelligence community – and the unwavering determination of the Bush and Obama administrations – overcame years of confusing information and lack of information, and the frustration of pursuing leads which led nowhere except dead-ends and trails which grew cold.
2. The last preparations for the operation began six weeks ago. During that period, Obama’s national security team met five or six times, in secrecy, to hash out the details. It is impressive – very impressive — that these preparations were kept in total secrecy. There were no leaks, no hints, and no rumors.
3. The fact that Bin laden was not killed by a UAV but by a Navy Seals team means that Pakistan allowed a U.S. ground operation deep inside Pakistan. Pakistan’s attitude toward cooperating with the United States in the war on terrorism has been ambivalent at best. It is not clear whether the permission to the United States to launch the ground operation signifies a change of direction on the part of the Pakistanis.
4. The killing of Bin Laden does not mean the end of Islamic terrorism. Since 9/11, Bin Laden’s involvement in operational details of operations was limited because of his inability to communicate directly with al Qaeda operatives around the world. Still, there is no denial that the killing of Bin Laden is a major psychological and symbolic blow to al Qaeda and terrorism.
The analysis can wait for another day. Today we should reflect on pledges made and promises kept. In his speech to Congress on 20 September 2001, President George W. Bush said: “Our grief has turned to anger and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.”
On Sunday, the United States fulfilled that pledge, and brought justice to its enemies.
