Osama-Bin-Larden's Son killed?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia /pakistan/5892017/US-drone-killed-Osama-Bin-La dens-son-Saad.html

Is the net now closing more onto Bin Laden?

If he were to be killed or captured, would that see the end to the Afghinistan conflic?

After all wasn't that the reason given, for going into Afghanistan in the first place?

[Gromit]

The reason given was to fight terrorism and in this instance, al-qaeda. Though killing their leader would be rather nice, it would not end the war.

The CIA had tracked the son from Iran, and once he reached Pakistan they struck. There is no evidence that Bin Laden was in the area. We are no closer to finding OBL now than when we started.

[LazyGun]

Its an interesting point thats raised though.I'm sure many would tend to assume that the capture or proven death of Bin Laden would constitute the defeat of al-quaeda.

I haven't read enough to know what conditions the US, UK and their coalition forces agree would constitute the end of the requirement for having coalition troops in Afghanistan

What criteria will they be using to measure whether or not they have defeated al-queda, or terrorism?

[Gromit]

If, what we are told is true, and that al-qaeda is in 60 countries around the world, then the death of their figurehead might be a moment for congratulation, but all those sleeper cells aren't going to melt away and behave.

If anything, he would become the great martyr and they would double their efforts to avenge his death. Which may account for the reason he is still alive 8 years later.

[The Sherman]

Do we actually know if he is still in command?
I'm sure it would be a morale boost to the trrops but, anotheoldgit you follow this a lot more than I do.

do we know anything about their command structure and is he the one actually in charge?
Or are there plenty more waiting to take his place and command as soon as he is gone?
I would have guessed they have very limited communications so would have been all acting as individual organised cells?
if anyone can enlighten me would be most appreciative.

[Gromit]

Ayman al-Zawahiri is the brains of the outfit.

Osama Bin Laden has/had the dosh.

[Nosha123]

Rumour has it that the SAS and/or MI5 found and captured Osama and following orders handed him over to the US Army/CIA and he 'escaped'...

(during Bush not Oabama I point out!)

[Nosha123]

Rumour has it MI5 captured him and on order handed him over to CIA and he 'escaped'

[jake-the-peg]

Rumour has it that the moon landing was a hoax.

I don't believe that either.

[Nosha123]

Sorry didnt mean to dupe post - I got an error message on the first one!

[rov1200]

Makes a mockery of our strategies where he hope to solve the problem with soldiers and more foot soldiers. The only way to get rid of this scum are 500lb bombs or to use these drones linked to intelligence.

[jake-the-peg]

Can you think of any war ever rov that has been won by bombing someone into submission without boots on the ground?

[jno]

the death of Jesus did not bring an end to Christianity, so I expect the answer is no. Pity.

[naomi24]

Christianity didn't exist during Jesus's lifetime, jno, and although that's a subject for another section, I just thought I'd mention it since it's such an inaccurate analogy to make.

I have to agree with you though - it is a pity.

[meglet]

My boyfriend has served in Afghanistan and has friends there now who work for facilities managment in Camp Bastion. These FM firms are replacing existing accomodation for the troops with accomodation built to last for 10-15 years.

The feeling amongst serving soldiers is that we aren't going to be pulling out of Afghanistan any time soon.

[anotheoldgit]

jake-the-peg

Can you think of any war ever rov that has been won by bombing someone into submission without boots on the ground?

War against Japan WW2, they would have fought to the last man on the ground on mainland Japan, if it had not been for the two Atom bombs.

[naomi24]

^^ That's a point.

[steg]

i was always lead to believe that the war in Afghanistan was against the Taliban, and to bring stable democracy to the country, and to get rid of the "terrorist" training camps etc.
Hopefully now that Bin ladins son has been killed, Bin ladin himself will suffer the pain that so many others have suffered because of him.

[R1Geezer]

wouldn't surprise me if the septics aren't keeping Bed linen alive, after all they need a bogey man!