Monday, May 9, 2011

Ten Years After: What's Next after bin Laden? By Grahm Kwasnick

Even if you live in a cave in Pakistan, by now most of you of have caught wind of the news that the mastermind behind the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 -- Osama bin Laden -- has been killed by United States troops.

Since 2001 bin Laden has been in hiding in the Middle East with the aid from his al Qaeda allies. This game of hide and seek came to a patriotic end when in the midst of a 48-minute firefight, Osama and three other men were killed. Thankfully, no civilians (or American solders) were killed in the firefight that erupted in the suburban city of Abbottabad. Osama bin Laden was killed and his body was buried in the sea by American solders. Back home in America, millions celebrated the death of the terrorist and voiced their patriotism in parades, breaking out into song and speaking proudly and passionately to reporters on the scene of the many celebratory gatherings.

But as the media storm and celebration settles, what's next? Are we going to pull troops from the Afghanistan and bring them home to their families and loved ones for good? Or are we sitting ducks for a retaliation attack on bin Laden's followers?
The death of Osama bin Laden swept across the nation and thousands of Americans hit the streets to celebrate the death of the wanted terrorist. But now that the celebration is over, and some weight has been lifted off America's shoulders, what comes next? While the death brought joy upon American citizens, it also brought fear for a possible retaliation by Pakistan.

The Obama Administration had this to say regarding this fear, “There's no intelligence yet pointing to specific or imminent plans for future attacks, but its spies are watching and eavesdroppers are listening carefully for any such signs.”

While we may be “safe” for now as far as global terrorist attacks are concerned, there are indeed possibilities for attacks here in America. The FBI and Homeland Security made sure that all law enforcement officials should be vigilant for extremists that wish to retaliate on American soil. Precautions are still being taken as far as suspicious behavior elsewhere in America – so not much has changed since the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001. Monitoring airports, background checks on employees, and other curtailments of our cherished freedoms will continue.

Don't expect our president to bring the troops home soon and calling it quits on the current relationship we have with Pakistan, Afghanistan or even al Qaeda. Our troops will still be overseas making sure that things continue to cool down and we develop a stronger friendship rather than a stronger enemy with Pakistan.

You can read much more about the death of bin Laden as well as what many believe is next for America at these links, each of which were used for this story:



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