Osama Bin Laden killed by US in Pakistan

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the reported killing of Osama Bin Laden by U.S. forces in Pakistan, exploring the implications of this event on terrorism, political dynamics, and public sentiment. Participants express a range of reactions to the news, reflecting on its significance and potential consequences.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants celebrate the news as a significant victory for the U.S. and President Obama, suggesting it may weaken terrorist operations in the region.
  • Others express skepticism about the long-term impact, arguing that Al-Qaeda has already been largely diminished and that Bin Laden was primarily a symbolic figure.
  • A few participants question the details surrounding Bin Laden's death, including the rapid burial at sea and the authenticity of images purportedly showing his body.
  • Concerns are raised about potential backlash or increased violence in Pakistan following the operation, with some participants fearing that it could exacerbate existing tensions.
  • There are mixed feelings about the implications for U.S.-Pakistan relations and the ongoing fight against terrorism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; multiple competing views remain regarding the significance of Bin Laden's death, its implications for terrorism, and the political ramifications for the U.S. and Pakistan.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect uncertainty about the accuracy of reports and the motivations behind the operation. There are also references to the emotional and psychological impact of Bin Laden's death on the American public, which are not universally shared.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the political and social implications of major global events, as well as those following discussions on terrorism and U.S. foreign policy, may find this thread relevant.

Mech_Engineer
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News reports are saying Osama Bin Laden has been killed in Islamabad by a US bomb, reportedly the result of a sensitive intelligence operation.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/01/usama-bin-laden-dead-say-sources/

Usama bin Laden is dead, multiple sources confirm to Fox News. President Obama is expected to deliver a statement from the White House Sunday night to discuss the major development. Sources said bin Laden was killed by a U.S. bomb a week ago. The U.S. had been waiting for the results of a DNA test to confirm his identity. The announcement comes nearly a decade after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks which started a tireless hunt for the terrorist mastermind and Al Qaeda leader.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/01/usama-bin-laden-dead-say-sources/#ixzz1LA5ByBNk
 
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That's a wonderful news!

I hope this will weaken the terrorist operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, I don't expect to see any bigger changes.
 


rootX said:
That's a wonderful news!

I hope this will weaken the terrorist operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, I don't expect to see any bigger changes.

It won't. Al-Qaeda has already been almost completely eradicated, at least inside Afghanistan, and they have almost zero direct ties with the Taliban (who are not a terrorist organization by the way).

Honestly, this is mostly a huge political victory for Obama, and a symbolic victory for the U.S., but very little change will come from this. I'd expect some protects in Pakistan, but not much more.
 


Obama said in his speech he was killed today by a military ground force. That's pretty ballsy - more than I would have expected from him.
 


Kudos to the service men and women who made this happen, and to the behind-the-scenes intelligence professionals too!
 


Bad move Obama, bad move.
2hyjr02.png
 


:smile:
 


Obama's speech minutes ago said that Bin laden was killed in a firefight in a compound deep within Pakistan, and U.S. forces took control of his body. It appears this was more than an Air Force bomb being dropped.
 
  • #10


lisab said:
Kudos to the service men and women who made this happen, and to the behind-the-scenes intelligence professionals too!

I was also thinking of all the hard work they did for about a decade!
 
  • #11


pergradus said:
It won't. Al-Qaeda has already been almost completely eradicated, at least inside Afghanistan, and they have almost zero direct ties with the Taliban (who are not a terrorist organization by the way).
He was more of a symbolic figure. It certainly is big political victory for Obama
 
  • #12


KingNothing said:
Bad move Obama, bad move.
2hyjr02.png

The Friend button is not working. I wanted to friend him. He must be feeling pretty bad right now knowing he will not get any wergins.
 
  • #13


this is amazing news. I am very happy. I think Osama not paying the price for 9/11 has been weighing on the minds of a lot of Americans for a long, long time.
 
  • #14


Lacy33 said:
The Friend button is not working. I wanted to friend him. He must be feeling pretty bad right now knowing he will not get any wergins.

:smile: Lacy, you crack me up!

Meh, he doesn't need any more virgins...didn't he already have like 12 wives?
 
  • #15


Looks like they got him in an urban area. Someone is going to have some explaining to do!

Say HAI to Saddam you son of a biatch :)
 
  • #16


I'm guessing Mr. Trump will need to see a long-form death certificate?
 
  • #17


And now, no more wedding talk! DOUBLE WOOT!
 
  • #18


Mech_Engineer said:
News reports are saying Osama Bin Laden has been killed in Islamabad by a US bomb, reportedly the result of a sensitive intelligence operation.

He was shot in the head in a firefight.
 
  • #19


Lots of people out in the streets in New York and Washington celebrating!
 
  • #20


KingNothing said:
I'm guessing Mr. Trump will need to see a long-form death certificate?

:smile: No, but the Muslim world will. They will want to see the body; hole in head included.
 
  • #21


baric said:
this is amazing news. I am very happy. I think Osama not paying the price for 9/11 has been weighing on the minds of a lot of Americans for a long, long time.
Yes, it has. And his death will improve the health of many. The blood pressure of millions of Americans rose sharply every time they thought of Osama bin Ladin still being alive and free.

And this is certainly the greatest accomplishment of this administration. And it doesn't raise my blood pressure one bit to say: Kudos President Obama!

(Well, maybe it did a little, but I still stand by it)
 
  • #22


A glorious day.
 
  • #23


What day was he actually killed? Someone posted that Hitler was killed on April 30th... would be one hell of a coincidence!

This is such a great day for the US though. We haven't had anything to celebrate in a very long time.
 
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  • #24


As my friend said, "you know, the Romans were also pretty happy when they killed Jesus Christ." Considering that al-Qaeda has no qualms about using suicidal attacks, I expect bin Laden to be considered a martyr.

rootX said:
He was more of a symbolic figure. It certainly is big political victory for Obama

I don't think he was just a symbolic figure. If nothing else, he's the son of a Saudi billionaire and controls a personal wealth of 30-300 million US dollars. That's a lot of money anywhere, but in the impoverished Afghan/Pakistani region where people are desperate for money, it can buy you an impressive army.
 
  • #25
So apparently they buried his body already, and at sea.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/05/osama-bin-laden-body-headed-for-burial-at-sea-officials-say.html

This is odd...
 
  • #26


Picture is already out there of the hole in his head (I won't put it up, its pretty graphic but you can GoogleBing it). Apparently they confirmed the kill with facial recognition and DNA testing.

I <3 DEVGRU, go SeALs!
 
  • #27
Pengwuino said:
So apparently they buried his body already, and at sea.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/05/osama-bin-laden-body-headed-for-burial-at-sea-officials-say.html

This is odd...

Yes it is odd i just heard this news moments ago why would they buried him so quickly it is quite a surprise if you ask me i smell something fishy because Arabic media is denying this news usama's body would have been the ultimate proof and i haven't heard of any news which mentions any DNA testing there is something wrong here.

I see people here saying that things will get better for Pakistan after this well i am from Pakistan and to be honest i fear that the things will get even worst we are already dealing with Taliban but now we might have our hands full with al-qaeda obama mentioned that the Pakistani troops had a big contribution in the operation so bin laden's successors might be seeking revenge and that is not all the Indian media now has a very good excuse to blame Pakistan for the terrorist activities in the region and they are doing so with all their strength and even for the USA this war is far from over
 
  • #28


I have had an aerial photograph of ground zero on my desk since 9/11. This is a happy day for me. Good riddance.
 
  • #29


bobze said:
Picture is already out there of the hole in his head (I won't put it up, its pretty graphic but you can GoogleBing it). Apparently they confirmed the kill with facial recognition and DNA testing.

I <3 DEVGRU, go SeALs!

Apparently officials are saying it's a fake and msnbc is saying it doesn't look right either.

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/02/6568249-we-think-that-bin-laden-death-photo-is-a-fake

Gawd I hope I don't wake up tomorrow to a bunch of conspiracy theories.
 
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  • #30


Pengwuino said:
Apparently officials are saying it's a fake and msnbc is saying it doesn't look right either.

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/02/6568249-we-think-that-bin-laden-death-photo-is-a-fake

Gawd I hope I don't wake up tomorrow to a bunch of conspiracy theories.

Thanks for the link Pengwuino. I'm sure that he's dead but, that image really looks like the 1998 image. Let's hope that the US releases some real pictures.
 
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