I think killing rather than capturing OBL was brilliant in terms of domestic politics but not

[howard112211]

in terms of foreign policy.

Sure enough, the Obama administration made the Republicans look like complete buffoons and wiped out one of their big self-proclaimed credential: The "toughness" on terror. Moreover, presenting the whole thing as a done deal, almost completely out of no where, caused them to fall over themselves trying to devise some sort of talking point, which they ultimately failed at. A Bin Laden in captivity would have offered much more space for criticism of some sort. I think the whole act will do a lot to get Obama reelected.

In terms of foreign policy I think it was not so brilliant. I think there are many people out there, in particular in the middle east, who don't think the case against Bin Laden was strong enough. I think a swift trial where all the evidence against him was recounted transparently, followed by an execution, would have eliminated 90% of the shitstorm that likely will break loose, in particular with Pakistan and also in the larger context of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

Moreover I don't buy the whole "wave of hostage taking and retaliations" line. It's not like they are not trying to do that anyway. If Al Qaeda or their supporters would be able to hijack a plane, they would do so, with or with Bin Laden in captivity. I think the perception that America can violate the national sovereignty of another country to kill someone is much more damaging and might sway a lot of moderates. Moreover, China and Russia, and also Pakistan will likely use this as a precedent to deal with their enemies.

And also, it cements the whole "war against terror" paradigm, which treats terrorism as warfare rather than law enforcement, which is related to my previous point: I think whenever the standards of what constitutes warfare are lowered, this is bad news, in likely will affect how other foreign powers deal with their enemies, and lead to further undermining the concept of international law.

[mmonk]

1. There is quite a bit of truth in your post.

Consider this a kick.

[Shagbark Hickory]

2. No duh. K+1=R

[Fumesucker]

3. bin Laden could have walked through the front door of the US embassy in SA wearing a strait jacket..

And he wasn't going to get anything remotely resembling an open and honest trial in the US.

Far too much dirty water under some awfully rickety but very expensive bridges to open that particularly fragrant and extra jumbo size can of worms.

I read here on DU the other day that Obama referenced the fact that bin Laden would never see a courtroom some years ago, there was an OP on it.

[mmonk]

4. It's not about him.

It's about whether he took us with him. Appears so to me.

[Fumesucker]

11. We've been through the looking glass and down the damn rabbit hole so many times now..

We ought to get a frequent flyer discount and sky miles.

[F Bastiat]

5. A trial would have quickly devolved into a circus...

Aside from being a financial boon for the ACLU, it would have been a disaster.

[leveymg]

6. It would have been at GITMO. Networks wouldn't cover it except 1st day and sentencing.

Without an audience, a circus is just a lot of elephants and clowns.

[Canuckistanian]

9. The ACLU? Don't think so

They pick their cases carefully. They wouldn't go NEAR a bin Laden trial.

Besides, they're a DOMESTIC rights organization, for US citizens only.

[sibelian]

7. There are plenty on this site who will announce that there is no international law

and loudly invoke the international rights of the US in the same sentence.

[Yavin4]

8. The International Community Is Not As Up in Arms As You Think

I don't see any rage in the streets or calls of outrage from most countries. I think that the world already knew that OBL was guilty because of his actions and his own taped confessions.

Killing him made the most sense, and except for a few DUers and others, everyone else is perfectly fine with this action.

[Johonny]

10. If the yet again attacks on Muslim targets by Al Qeada this week didn't convince people

than nothing will. Frankly I think most Muslims don't need convincing which is why you had more protests for that stupid book burning and those cartoons than you had for America killing Bin Laden. Terrorists that target their own people aren't well liked.