Undoubtedly, one of the biggest news stories recently is the death of Osama Bin Laden. Announced around the night of May 1st, President Obama held an impromptu press conference to announce that Osama Bin Laden "was killed in a firefight with United States forces in Pakistan". In the New York Times report, Obama claimed that "justice has been done" and that the body had been buried at sea. He also explained that they had first received leads late last summer and had finally tracked him to a comfortable mansion in Pakistan. Supposedly the operation was actually quite efficient, killing only three other people (one believed to be his son, the other two his couriers) and the burial at sea was justified as a way to avoid his followers building him a shrine.
On one hand, it seems that Americans are largely relieved- and as a people, we seem jubilant. Understandable, because this seems to prove to the world that "America always gets her man". That there really is nowhere to hide, and that, after 9/11, justice is being done for all of the lives that were ruined that day. Obama has seen a significant increase in poll numbers after this Bin Laden raid. Initial response in New York, the city that has to see ground zero every day, was borderline gleeful, and students gathered outside the White House shortly after the announcement, chanting "USA! USA!". Mayor Bloomberg commented that "New Yorkers have waited nearly 10 years for this news. It is my hope that it will bring some closure and comfort to all of those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001."
However, there are concerns about a backlash throughout the middle east due to this raid, and the long term impact against terrorism has been called into question as new successors are already being appointed. As it is, Al-Qaeda has confirmed Osama's death and has already vowed a retaliation against the United States for his death. The statement, released on jihadist sites stated that Bin Laden's blood will "be a curse that chases the Americans and their agents, and goes after them inside and outside their countries" and that "Soon- with help from Allah [American's] happiness will turn into sorrow, and their blood will be mixed with their tears. We will fulfill the oath of Sheikh Osama, may Allah have mercy on him: America and those who live in America will never enjoy security until our people in Palestine enjoy it".
I worry though, if maybe we are all celebrating a bit prematurely. In fact, Osama's successor has already been somewhat implied. Washington Post reports that there has been speculation that a man by the name of Ayman Al Zawahiri, an Egyptian surgeon and bin Laden's longtime deputy will take over as the al-Qaeda leader. My thoughts are more in line with Harry Waizer, a survivor that was interviewed for the New York Times.When interviewed, he stated, "If this means there is one less death in the future, then I'm glad for that. But I just can't find it in me to be glad one more person is dead, even if it is Osama Bin Laden". After all of the trauma that the American people have been through I feel justified with the death of Osama bin Laden, but I find it difficult to celebrate death, even if it is his. I feel like after all of the sadness in our post-9/11 world, maybe we should look forward instead of focusing on and celebrating the continuing death.
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