Briefing reporters in the White House, homeland security adviser John Brennan also described the scene as President Obama and other White House officials monitored the operation from the Situation Room, calling it "probably one of the most anxiety-filled periods of times in the lives of the people assembled here.
On the second question, experts seem divided. Some say that al-Qaeda will struggle without bin Laden, even though they agree that he was more of a symbolic than a strategic leader. Others say the group will continue to conduct operations against targets in the West and in the Muslim world.
In the days that follow, the long-term military, political and strategic implications of this momentous event will become clearer, and I will comment at length on what the future may hold,” concluded Bauer. “But for now, let us thank the brave men and women in uniform who protect us and our intelligence community for tracking bin Laden down. And let us rededicate ourselves to defeating an enemy that even now wants to bring to us and our allies sorrows greater than the sorrows we have already experienced.
During the past few years, Al-Qaeda became more decentralized and operated from individual cells of supporters in various countries. That will make its complete destruction more difficult, according to Kenneth James Ryan, a criminologist and terrorism expert at California State University, Fresno.
Brennan acknowledged that there was not unanimity among the president’s national security team before Obama gave the go order. Intelligence offered the best evidence of the terrorist mastermind’s whereabouts, but it was still short of full confirmation, he added.
Analysts told the New York Times that the al-Qaeda founder had largely played a totemic role within the group in the last few years and had not taken a central position in directing global operations. Though his death in a U.S. attack on a large compound in Pakistan is notable, U.S. officials asserted that self-sufficient al-Qaeda cells are still active in Yemen and North Africa
The death of Osama bin Laden is not only a victory for the war on terror, it sends an important message around the world - that no matter how long it takes, America's resolve never waivers, America's commitment to seeking justice is never ending,” added Sekulow. “Our thanks go to the U.S. military who took part in this mission as well as the men and women around the globe who fight for our freedoms - and to President Obama and President Bush for their dedication in bringing Osama bin Laden to justice. While there are many challenges ahead with radical Islamists and the ongoing threat of terrorism at home and abroad, we should cherish this moment - this accomplishment. Now it is time to redouble our efforts to protect our freedoms from those who want to destroy our way of life.
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