Got him: Obama gets osama

Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S Special Ops in a compound outside Islamabad.

A simmering private grief to a public tragedy ended for many tonight. A closure to a recurring nightmares for some. Amen.

And deep in Pakistan (ISI). Who claims the reward.?

err not so deep, if it is the Abottabad just 115 km from Islamabad, the capital.

Reward? Going by history, the Pakistani government or the ISI should get it. They specialise in supporting terrorism while simultaneously yanking the US chain and making a killing- in more ways than one- on the side.

Obama's priority numero uno

President Obama on Death of Osama Bin Laden

Actually he was living (i will noot use the word 'hiding' as I doubt ISI didn't know his location so far!!) quite near to official India-Pakistan border. even considering Line of Control, he was quite near to India (Uri sector I guess). I bet USA has given lots more dollars than official bounty to Pakistan to allow them to kill Laden. However, i feel this is great news for India as well. Violence and terrorism in Kashmir and all over India will definitely decrease!!

aah - a second round of the Yes We Can as da man begins his 2012 campaign rounds i'mguessin
bhery bhery good story teller - just heard Mr O's speech.

so who will the americans yank now ?? are they getting out of AF ??
or will they wait till after the 2012 elections before nominating a new foelly ?
troops seemingly being brought back home would make a great campaign strategy, what.


err... ever heard of the ISI and/or the LeT ??
LeT is in cahoots with the ISI who is in cahoots with the US



:brishti

Osama dead: long live Osama.

Not being saintly, I can understand America wanting to dance on Osama's grave --- but I'm sure he will be replaced swiftly. It's just one guy: nothing much will change.

I agree with Nick, the idea lives. However its important to eradicate the symbol as well.

It's more symbolic rather than anything else. Of late, there have been reports that Ayman Al-Zawahiri had the actual control of AQ due to the ill health of OBL. Of course, the Taleban chief is still at large as are the leaders of major other terror/logistic organizations (LeT, JeM, D-company).

Grab a quick beer and get back to your positions.

He's been dead along time - confined to a glorified prison 60 miles from Islamabad. What could be worse? Apparently some Gitmo prisoners identified his personal courier to officials .... & the CIA picked up his trail. The entire military 'hit' team got in & got out safely too. Good job boys!

What does this mean to travel in India? Short term, long term... I know I sound paranoid, but the years away from India make an impression... I hope this doesnt translate to increased terrorism in India as part of the back lash from the now leaderless al qaeda. Also, the ISI, now humiliated, will want to burnish their image - atleast within their own country and military organisation...

The head of the snake has been cut off. There will predictably be an increase in threats. Al qaeda is good at that. Surely, this news has taken the sway & swagger out of them & their supporters - who firmly believed that OBL had some godly armour placed around him & could therefore live forever.

Those were exactly my immediate thoughts/queries, Brishti, when I heard the news.

The US was to start pulling out of Afghanistan in July this year.....mutterings on this a couple of weeks ago, with those in the US supporting pullout emphasising the serious need for cost-cutting. They were instantly opposed by louder shrieks of near panic from the region, particularly from bordering Pakistan.

Also, some insider info that pullout is starting even earlier. Problem - how to press manage this so as not to give the impression of "retreat", with Taliban then buoyed by victory to strike further and harder than ever.

So the killing of Osama bin Laden comes at a strategic time for:

a. domestic spin to recode the pullout as victory rather
than retreat .... goal achieved (ie. the raisen d'etre
for entering Afghanistan in the first place)

b. symbolic show of force directed at the Taliban, showing
that Pakistan is not a sanctuary as this was a
so-called joint mission by the CIA and Pakistan
intelligence ( some might believe it)

c. some diplomatic blackmail to silence Pak opponents of
the pullout ....calling it a CIA-PAK joint mission
puts Pakistan on notice that the truth might surface
(re. OBL living in luxury 3 km from Pak military
academy ? Please explain ) so shut up.


I know this sounds cynical, but hearing the news today felt
like being transported into Orwell's 1984 ......

OBL has been 'dead in the water' for some time. The only difference this morning is that he really is dead in the water .... having been dumped at sea. The US Military had an opportunity to put some closure to this story - so they did. End of story.