The New Republic Daily
Report
05/02/11
Osama bin Laden's Death Marks the Only Satisfying Resolution Possible in the Story of September 11 David Greenberg
Give President Obama credit. As he promised in a bit of
florid campaign rhetoric, he followed Osama bin Laden to the cave where he
lives—in this case a high-walled compound of steel and concrete not far from the
capital of Pakistan.
Characteristically restrained and innately cautious, Obama was quick to note in his remarks Sunday night that the death of bin Laden “does not mark the end of our effort” against the Al Qaeda terrorism network he led. Here the president's prudence served him well. We won’t know for a long time whether this moment will mark the beginning of the end of the war on Islamist terrorism; that will depend on the current state of Al Qaeda's strength—its wealth, numbers, organizational capabilities and other information that most of us have long since ceased paying attention to with any regularity. It’s tempting to believe that decapitating the beast of Al Qaeda will weaken it forever, or render it lifeless. But we just don’t know.
Continue reading "Osama bin Laden's Death Marks the Only Satisfying Resolution Possible in the Story of September 11"
What Osama bin Laden's Death Means Jonathan Chait
Will the Loss of Osama bin Laden Hasten Al Qaeda's Demise? Louis Clarevas
05/02/11
Osama bin Laden's Death Marks the Only Satisfying Resolution Possible in the Story of September 11 David Greenberg
Give President Obama credit. As he promised in a bit of
florid campaign rhetoric, he followed Osama bin Laden to the cave where he
lives—in this case a high-walled compound of steel and concrete not far from the
capital of Pakistan.Characteristically restrained and innately cautious, Obama was quick to note in his remarks Sunday night that the death of bin Laden “does not mark the end of our effort” against the Al Qaeda terrorism network he led. Here the president's prudence served him well. We won’t know for a long time whether this moment will mark the beginning of the end of the war on Islamist terrorism; that will depend on the current state of Al Qaeda's strength—its wealth, numbers, organizational capabilities and other information that most of us have long since ceased paying attention to with any regularity. It’s tempting to believe that decapitating the beast of Al Qaeda will weaken it forever, or render it lifeless. But we just don’t know.
Continue reading "Osama bin Laden's Death Marks the Only Satisfying Resolution Possible in the Story of September 11"
What Osama bin Laden's Death Means Jonathan Chait
Will the Loss of Osama bin Laden Hasten Al Qaeda's Demise? Louis Clarevas
