The Frontlines Weekly Update Brief (May 2-8, 2011)
DEATH OF A TERRORIST, NOW WHAT?
The decade long manhunt for the world’s worst terrorist finally came to a close, thanks to the combined efforts of U.S. agencies and military. With the death of Usama bin Laden at the hands of a Navy Seal team last Saturday, questions about his impact on global politics and implications for the future of terrorism remain. Eliminating the leader of al-Qaeda was a serious blow, but not a death blow to the organization. The U.S. will undoubtedly continue to pursue terrorists worldwide, but will the foreign policy of stabilizing Afghanistan and Iraq continue? Or will a more expedient drawdown from the region occur? The death of the man responsible for the attacks on September 11, 2001 has left many questions unanswered, most importantly how was he able to evade capture for so long? bin Laden was killed in a comfrtable urban area near Pakistan’s equivalent of West Point. How the most wanted terrorist lived there for nearly six years under the nose of Pakistan security and military forces remains unknown, and has further strained relations between the U.S. and Pakistan. U.S. officials pledged a full investigation into how bin Laden lived unscathed and comfortable for so many years.
THE FRONTLINES OF AFGHANISTAN
Approximately 100 insurgents on motorcycles attacked a northern Afghani village that was working with a government sponsored police program. IEDs were used throughout the country against ISAF forces, and Afghan police were charged by Oxfam with committing child sex abuse, torture and killings. Al Qaeda confirmed the death of their leader Usama bin Laden, bringing a close to the life of the terrorist, at the hands of U.S. forces last week.
Since our last report 5 more American have died in Operation Enduring Freedom. The war in Afghanistan has claimed 125 American lives thus far in 2011, and the total for the war is now 1,571 (www.icasualties.org).
THE FRONTLINES OF IRAQ
The trial of 3 American hikers charged with spying in Iran was postponed again. The hikers were arrested along the Iran-Iraq border over a year ago. Iraq’s prime minister said he may ask for thousands of American soldiers to remain in the country in order to provide security in the country, as roadside bombs and attacks continued throughout the country.
Since our last report NO more American soldiers were killed in Iraq. The death toll for service members killed in 2011 is 22 and an overall death total of 4,452 (www.icasualties.org).
If you have a different opinion or would like to read the full update please visit The Frontlines Weekly Update Brief (May 2-8, 2011) or The Frontlines. Thank you.
very respectfully,
The Warrant
References
The Economist. (2011). May 7-13th Issue.
iCasualties. (2011). Coalition Casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retrieved from www.icasualties.org.
Posted on May 11th, 2011 by The Frontlines
Filed under: Guest Blogger
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