Bin Laden dead?
That’s what ABC and the other networks are reporting. What’s interesting to me is that the USA has his body — that would allow DNA testing, which is the only way they could be certain of his identity.
That doesn’t necessarily rule out a drone attack by the C.I.A., but they would have had to have a ground team close by, waiting to run in and snatch the body.
Obama’s statement on the occasion was 1% announcement and 99% campaign speech. The attack took place in Pakistan, and apparently involved a firefight. If true, I expect it would be a Special Forces team.
UPDATE: Former presidents have issued statements, as have others. Bin Laden had been neutered from an operational standpoint, but this is a powerful psychological blow to his cohorts. Here are some additional details.
Time for Thorns 
During the Musharraf regime many speculated that Osama Bin laden might in fact be living in Musharraf’s house as a guest. The speculation has turned out to be nearly true …… !
It is simply inconceivable that Osama Bin laden living in a mansion near Islamabad will be possible without the knowledge of the Pakistani authorities …!
This also confirms where Pakistan stands with respect to WOT ……. !
neel123
May 2, 2011 at 4:23 am
Pakistan presents a large problem. Its intelligence service has certainly known where Osama was, and probably a lot of the military as well. I note that no one has mentioned anyone earning the $25 million bounty on bin Laden’s head, so it appears that Gitmo detainees provided intel about the couriers who built the compound in 2005. From there I’d guess that the same relationship metrics used to find Saddam Hussein were employed, together with eyes on the ground. The compound sticks out like a sore thumb on Google Earth, and would have deserved attention even without the heavy security and the other clues.
timeforthorns
May 2, 2011 at 2:41 pm