Bin Laden‘s death

Opinion: The birth of terrorism again?

The triumphant declaration of the U.S that they had finally killed Osama Bin Laden sent shockwaves around the world. The leader of the Al Qaeda terrorist network met his demise in a fire-fight with U.S in Pakistan on Sunday. The news caused a mixture of reactions with partying in New-york and a state of vigilance being declared in U.S embassies worldwide. The “thunderous strike of justice” that took 10 years to serve may cause an increase in insurgent attacks and may see a re-enforcement of fear that has penetrated U.S. life for the past 10 years - the fear of terrorism.

The killing of Bin Laden takes place against the back-drop of a controversial air-strike campaign in Libya, where NATO air forces killed Colonel Gaddafi’s second eldest son and 3 of his grand-children all of whom were under the age of 12. NATO claims that the strike was intended for a command centre of opposition forces. In any case, the media’s spotlight is being shone elsewhere.

The raid that saw Bin Laden meet his demise was carried out in the early hours of the morning by U.S forces in the affluent region of Abbottabad, a suburb only 60 miles from Islamabad and home to an Afghani officer training camp. Two choppers of special force operatives stormed his compound and eventually losing one of the choppers during the fire-fight which ensued.

According to U.S. representatives, no member of the U.S. forces involved in the attack were harmed in any way. The same could not be said for those who inhabited the compound with reports that two couriers and a woman who was being used a human shield lost their lives along with Bin Laden and his followers.

The U.S took custody of his body which was handled in Islamic tradition and buried at sea in order to prevent his body being made into a shrine. Regardless, he will be worshiped by his followers and, as he died fighting infidel, he received the death that is sought after in the extremist Islamic society, the death of a martyr.

Perhaps, the most interesting aspect of this raid is that Bin Laden was found, not in a cave in Afghanistan, but in a mansion in Pakistan. The effect that the death of the U.S.A.’s most wanted man will have on U.S foreign policy is unknown. But, it raises a question: Were the past 10 years of fighting and toil worth it? And can Obama’s claim of justice being served be advocated when we take into account the entire loss of life?

By: stepheng