Hey guys,
Late last night President Obama addressed the nation to report that in an operation at a compound inside Pakistan, American troops had killed Al-Qaida leader, and September 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
Late last night President Obama addressed the nation to report that in an operation at a compound inside Pakistan, American troops had killed Al-Qaida leader, and September 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.Hundreds of people gathered outside the White House as the word began to spread that the United States had confirmed the death of its greatest single enemy.
In the President’s announcement he said the remains of bin Laden were being handled in accordance with Islamic Law and tradition.
What does bin Laden’s death mean for the War on Terror? That is not clear yet, but President Obama made it clear that while the United States did achieve a great victory, the fight against Terror is not over as it is unlikely that followers of bin Laden will simply lay down their weapons.
I’m not normally one to celebrate the death of anyone; however I would be less than honest if I said I did not take some satisfaction at this news. I also became emotional as I watched people dance in front of the White House chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!”
Only time will tell what bin Laden’s death will mean in the bigger picture of the global War of Terror… will the terror network that bin Laden set upfall apart because of lack of leadership, will another, perhaps Ayman al-Zawahri take over, or will smaller more independent terror cells begin operations as a result of bin Laden’s death…?
What are your thoughts on bin Laden’s death and the future of the War on Terror?
Obviously to many Americans it's a great belief that one of our main enemies is dead. However, I believe that people are very naive if they think that the war of terror is over just for one person's death. Yes, he was ultimately the leader but I don't believe the death of one person has enough impact to stop the network that was created.
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe that Al-Qaeda will break up into smaller factions. However, I do not see these groups to be more dangerous than the previously united group. Without their leader, who had been making decisions for over thirty years, these smaller factions will have no set leader, and may develop their own beliefs. With their own beliefs in mind, they could begin fighting against each other for supremacy, and could cancel each other.
ReplyDeleteIn essence, I believe that Al-Qaeda will, slowly, but surely, fall apart at the seams. Osama bin Laden had been such a powerful, influential leader for such an extended period of time, that these smaller groups could formulate completely different ideas; and, as a result, the groups would declare war against each other, and the fall of Al-Qaeda would be immiment.
-Jake M.
Naturally I think it is a good thing that Osama bin Laden was killed but I think that his followers will use his death to motivate their people. I think that they will tell all their armies “look what they did to us. They killed our main guy in command. We need to avenge him and get back at them.” I don’t know if it will be smaller groups or if his right hand man will take control, but I believe that either way this war is far from being over.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Abels
This was a psychological victory for America. Nothing was gained from it but "yay! we killed the guy who orchestrated 9/11!". I'm sure that I'm in the minority, or (gasp!) un-American, for saying this, but it didn't do anything good, and chances are high that it may be catalyst for bad. Now the commander is a guy even crazier than bin Laden (hard to imagine, but true), and we may have just given the Taliban and al-Qaeda the incentive to band together against the United States. Not to mention that we stooped to their level, raiding and killing. Dancing in the streets? Wake up America. The worst is most likely yet to come.
ReplyDelete