If Bin Laden is dead what will this mean for US/World Politics?

[Trousersnake]

Well it's all over the news, waiting for Obama to speak...expectations that it will be a confirmation of reports that Osama Bin Laden is dead at the hands of the U.S.

I'm sure you will all have your own thoughts on what this will mean so why not share them?

As an Australian, I'd like to see the world more stable, I would like to see America recover from what has been a tough period for nation.

[Shrike]

Nothing will change. There might be some retaliatory attacks, but nothing on the scale of previous stuff since Al Q is kinda spent the last few years.

It won't change anything about US foreign policy most likely.

[The Better Version]

I would have to partially agree with Shrike, here. Although its historic, this is certainly not a significant game changer. The U.S might use this as an excuse for being able to leave Afghanistan since technically, the mission is complete even though there's still a lot of work that needs to be done. However, because of Libya and other such incidents, we can't really afford to to conduct ourselves on both sides. So, I wouldn't be all that surprised if Obama phased us out of Afghanistan before he ends his presidency. As far as his presidency is concerned, he has a significantly higher chance of winning a second term because of this. In regards to Al Qaeda, as a whole? Their operations will probably be just as effective as they were when Osama was alive. The only difference is that they will now be significantly more angry than they were before. Expect an attack in the near future. Other than that, I would start directing your attention towards Libya because that's where we'll be next.

[Nightshade]

Strategically and tactfully the death of Bin Laden isn't of significance now. Intelligence reports have been saying he's been out of the game for a while now, living a quasi semi-retirement before dying. Now psychologically it's a victory.

One thing I do hope that will happen is that we well begin to reevaluate whether Pakistan is truly an ally in the war on terror or they stringing us along and playing us like chumps. Take into consideration where he was at. He was in a fortress near Kakul Military Academy. With the mounting evidence against Pakistan it's time that our Pakistani relations be re-evaluated.

In this war where we are fighting an abstract enemy we cannot afford to second guess who's our allies and enemies. To do so in this context I believe, is extremely dangerous.

[^]

Originally Posted by Nightshade

Strategically and tactfully the death of Bin Laden isn't of significance now. Intelligence reports have been saying he's been out of the game for a while now, living a quasi semi-retirement before dying. Now psychologically it's a victory.

One thing I do hope that will happen is that we well begin to reevaluate whether Pakistan is truly an ally in the war on terror or they stringing us along and playing us like chumps. Take into consideration where he was at. He was in a fortress near Kakul Military Academy. With the mounting evidence against Pakistan it's time that our Pakistani relations be re-evaluated.

In this war where we are fighting an abstract enemy we cannot afford to second guess who's our allies and enemies. To do so in this context I believe, is extremely dangerous.

Lots of people have been saying things like this, though the first person I saw on TV discussing it was the Pakistani PM, and he claimed Pakistan was involved with the US in planning this attack.

[Case Sensitive]

The Al Jazeera live coverage of celebrations outside the whitehouse after the announcmenet was awesome, some interviewed some drunk bitches who were screaming "OMG WE GOT HIM THE WAR ON TERROR IS OVER GO USA"


I was just like, "lol america"

"Al Qaeda" is not hierarchical or centralized by any account and Osama was not at the top of anything, expect perhaps in terms of respect this won't change much except:

a) encourage terror attacks in "retaliation"
b) Influence both Canadian (announcement was one day before, billions of $$ in fighter jets on the line good timing) and American elections
c) boost troop/public moral

I wonder how longer before the next Emmanuel Goldstein emerges from the shadows of Eurasia....

[elf omg]

Originally Posted by Nightshade

Strategically and tactfully the death of Bin Laden isn't of significance now. Intelligence reports have been saying he's been out of the game for a while now, living a quasi semi-retirement before dying. Now psychologically it's a victory.

One thing I do hope that will happen is that we well begin to reevaluate whether Pakistan is truly an ally in the war on terror or they stringing us along and playing us like chumps. Take into consideration where he was at. He was in a fortress near Kakul Military Academy. With the mounting evidence against Pakistan it's time that our Pakistani relations be re-evaluated.

In this war where we are fighting an abstract enemy we cannot afford to second guess who's our allies and enemies. To do so in this context I believe, is extremely dangerous.

We can't afford to determine friend from foe before attacking? What the hell?

[^]

Osama isn't even that well respected by most al-Qaeda leaders. He's regarded as drunken fool giving awful commands.

[Trix Are For Kids]

Originally Posted by Hey, it's SHH!

Osama isn't even that well respected by most al-Qaeda leaders. He's regarded as drunken fool giving awful commands.

This. I doubt they give a shit anymore, or ever gave a shit for that matter. Less heat for them now. They can do what they want. Fuck America. Fuck the world. Leave them alone. They're just people.

[Nightshade]

Originally Posted by Hey, it's SHH!

Lots of people have been saying things like this, though the first person I saw on TV discussing it was the Pakistani PM, and he claimed Pakistan was involved with the US in planning this attack.

uhh...I've been seeing reports to the contrary so the PM's claim I believe is BS. If there is one thing government officials is good at is that they will say anything to save their own ass.

Still it seems to me that Pakistan has been revealed as being either a sleazy accomplice in hiding bin Laden near Kakul Military Academy or a dangerously incompetent ally. Either way this could be the thing for the US to strengthen and expand it's relations with India, and increase the distrust with Pakistan to the point where we just say you're on your own. Which could lead to some interesting problems given the uhhh, what's the word, oh yeah piss-poor relations India and Pakistan have with each other, and that's putting it nicely.

Originally Posted by elf omg

We can't afford to determine friend from foe before attacking? What the hell?

[Rolf]

Not politically significant, but will effect both the morale of the ISAF troops and the scum they are up against, states Rolf.