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Fri, Jun 3rd 2011, 02:08

Matus Samel, University of Sheffield, (2)

First of all, author's analogy between terrorists in Afghanistan and Europe completely ignores how difficult, even impossible, it is to gain intelligence without a mass presence in the region. Of course it is different to monitor small terrorist cells hiding in London, whose every single step is watched and those in Waziristan, who often enjoy local and official support.

Moreover, eliminating Osama might have been a high priority, but the ultimate goal has always been to ensure that Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan would not become terrorist safe havens once again. However, this require much longer and broader engagement in the region.

If anything, this huge strategic and political success gives Obama even greater responsibility to finish the job properly.

Thu, Jun 16th 2011, 14:50

Amarjyoti Acharya

Unfortunately, Osama merely represented a face of the many headed hydra. Tendencies show a rise in terror-crime incidents related to religion. The Hindu fanatic is much a threat as the Muslim one that Osama purpotedly represented. Or the Christian ones - though as barely mentioned as the Hindu one or the semitic one. Contemporary reality makes large terror-crime cells less mandatory for International Terrorism or even domestic terrorism. Where domestic terror is a living social reality (premodern terror-crime socialized societies of South Asia or Africa as examples), the dangers keep puffing up like dough with too much yeast into it. They also threaten, by their very nature, societies elsewhere. So while everyone can go home after one Osama, it is more prudent to clear the swamp and ensure that it does not follow you home or await you there. In today's world - it is like living in Vietnam, for US soldiers in their base camp. Except that with terrorism - there would not be body bags and protest marches or retreats. The many headed hydra of terror-crime has a body and also feeds while seeking fresh pastures. Religion as premodern & medieval peasant forces of crime-terror in the contemporary world also feeds on modernity's technological fruits as well as seek to wear its garbs. South Asia & some regions of Africa merely serve as an example and a warning.

Thu, Jun 30th 2011, 22:43

Nicole Gagliano, New York University, (1)

Just because bin Laden has been killed does not mean that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are suddenly over. Withdrawal of such large number of troops takes a long time to plan and implement. bin Laden's death is just one piece of the puzzle and not an end all be all. The al Qaeda affiliate groups around the world like AQAP and AQI do not "report" to Osama bin Laden. The threats from those affiliate groups have not decreased just because of bin Laden's death.

As to withdrawal Obama has gained some political clout with Osama's death but not enough to change withdrawal plans and pull out all of the troops from Afghanistan. He is already going against his general's advice and recommendations and withdrawing 33k by next summer.

Mon, Jan 23rd 2012, 11:44

Talha Bin Tariq, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan, Gold Contributor (101)

Killing one terrorist doesn't mean that war against terror is over ..