The killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces is first and
foremost a victory for America, as well as for justice. The
response of most political leaders in Washington has been
appropriately bipartisan. For a few days, the death of this
terrorist may even restore the unity of purpose Americans felt in
the immediate aftermath of 9/11.
Yet there are undeniably political implications to this news. I
don’t think it guarantees President Obama a second term as it would
have done for George W. Bush from 2001-04, but it has certainly
strengthened his hand. It will complicate the arguments over his
national security policies. Some will point out that Obama has
maintained many of his predecessor’s policies that he once
condemned and argue that this vindicates Bush. Others will contend
that this success doesn’t necessarily validate Obama’s broader
approach to the war on terror, an argument that will be true but —
given the importance most Americans rightly attached to getting bin
Laden — a lot harder to make now.
Bin Laden’s death will also make it harder to maintain support
for remaining in Afghanistan indefinitely. Many Americans viewed
the hunt for bin Laden as a major reason for the U.S. Afghan
mission. Already war-weary, they may look at Karzai’s lack of any
apparent role in this moment and conclude it’s time for our
troops to come home. It will be interesting to see how this
develops.
