This morning a familiar image was again splashed across the newspapers but this time (at least in the West) the mood was celebratory. Ten years on, with wars fought, lives lost, civil liberties curtailed and billions spent, Bin Laden has been killed – taken out by Special US forces deep within Pakistan

Brown, Adam

LSE Research Online

adminEnd of the ‘War on Terror’?blogs.lse.ac.uk /waronterror/2011/05/02/end-of-the-war-on-terror/This morning a familiar image was again splashed across the newspapers but this time (at least in the West) themood was celebratory. Ten years on, with wars fought, lives lost, civil liberties curtailed and billions spent, Bin Ladenhas been killed – taken out by Special US forces deep within Pakistan.The march of history has continued and American persistence has finally delivered results.It hasn’t taken long for commentators to weigh in and there are still a lot of unanswered questions. At the top of thislist, are questions surrounding Pakistani’s apparent failing to locate bin Laden within their country’s border, no lessthe fact he was within yards of their elite military academy deep within the country.There are also questions as to the future of the ‘War on Terror’. Is it time to declare it won and pack it in?As many have rightly argued, bin Laden’s death does not mean the end of his ideology or threats to the West. Infact, it seems highly likely that reprisal attacks on Western targets are very possible in the next few weeks.Reprisals or not, for many the feeling that a chapter has closed is apparent. Taking out bin Laden, the ideologicalgodfather of Islamic extremism, may not necessarily affect the numerous spin-off terrorist groups scattered aroundthe world but will reaffirm American resolve and perhaps lift the cloak of constant fear and paranoia.This in tandem with growing revolutionary sentiment in the Middle East and we may see some positive results.Lets hope this proves true but it remains doubtful that the ‘War on Terror’ is indeed over.Post a comment1/1

End of the ‘War on Terror’?

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