Annenberg Classroom - Speak Outs - How will Osama bin Laden’s killing affect U.S. foreign policy?

Speak Outs

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How will Osama bin Laden’s killing affect U.S. foreign policy?

Can you remember a time before terrorism was the nation’s constant fear?

From airport security to military spending, keeping the nation safe from extremists has been high on the national agenda ever since the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001.

When a team of Navy Seals entered a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, this weekend, killing 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, America gained closure on a decade-long mission. But it also, in a way, lost its public enemy number one.

In the short term, there was a heightened state of security at some of the nation’s airports, as fears of immediate retaliation bubbled. This is expected to calm down, possibly to pre-9/11 levels; some airports did not even go on official alert, according to a report in the Christian Science Monitor.

In a broader sense, with bin Laden out of the picture, the 10-year-old military presence in Afghanistan – where bin Laden’s al-Qaeda terrorist network operates from – is being reexamined.

“Every question has to be on the table in terms of where this is going,” Sen. John Kerry said in the New York Times. “What this does is initiate a possibility for reevaluating what kind of transition we need in Afghanistan.”

In Afghanistan, some officials worry about what this means. Will the United States abandon the war it started, now that its primary target is dead? Since bin Laden was killed outside the country, will the United States cut back on counterterrorism attacks inside Afghanistan?

“For years we have said that the fight against terrorism is not in Afghan villages and houses,” Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said in a statement. “Stop bombarding Afghan villages and searching Afghan people.”

Right now, a force of 100,000 U.S. troops is stationed in Afghanistan. President Obama’s plan, announced in 2009, is to draw down those numbers beginning this July, with a government turnover occurring in 2014. In a speech, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the United States is sticking to that plan. It will not abandon the war in Afghanistan, nor will it go easy on the Taliban unless it renounces al-Qaeda.

“Our message to the Taliban remains the same, but today, it may have even greater resonance,” Clinton said. “You cannot wait us out. You cannot defeat us. But you can make the choice to abandon al-Qaeda and participate in a peaceful political process.”

Experts believe that the Taliban may have more flexibility to do what Clinton asks. The Taliban has harbored al-Qaeda ever since bin Laden’s group helped Taliban forces during the Afghan civil war in the 1990s. However, the Taliban’s “debt of gratitude” was to bin Laden personally, a former CIA intelligence officer said.

Analysts also point out that continued success in the war on terrorism will require cooperation from Pakistan, the country that bin Laden was hiding out in. This may prove difficult since the U.S. raid that killed him was conducted without notifying Pakistani officials.

What do you think?

How will Osama bin Laden’s death affect the U.S. foreign policy? Should the United States speed up its exit from Afghanistan? Should it stick to its current timetable? Should the focus of counterterrorism efforts include other countries, not just the one harboring al-Qaeda? Do you agree with the U.S. decision not to include Pakistan in the raid that killed bin Laden? Join the discussion!

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Comments

1/1/2012
Montgomery, Texas

Jeff Webb
Metzger
As long as Al-Qaeda is out there and as long as they are harboring Afghanistan we cannot afford to pull troops out. We need to keep the pressure on them til they crack. Just because bin Laden is dead doesn't mean Al-Qaeda is disbanded, someone else will take charge and they will not let us go easily for killing their leader. We need to keep pushing forward and keep on the offense if we wish to inihilate Al-Qaeda once and for all. As far as foreign policy goes it will remain the same until Al-Qaeda is neutralized. This war is not over and if our current Commander in Chief decides to pull forces out then were back to square one .

9/14/2011
Beeville Texas.

Monica Lizzette Lara ((:
Ms. Theorton/A. C. Jones
I agree with the U.S. decision not to include Pakistan in the raid that killed bin Laden. I don't think Osama bin Laden's death will affect the U.S. foreign policy though. We have already prepared for terrorist attacks, so it would be a waste of time to lower our defense down again to where it was and allow another attack just because we killed the leader of Al-Qaeda, but HELLO! there we still have his possie running around. So i think that maybe the 100,000 troops they have in Afghanistan should search and should be there but that's my opinion i would have to be on both sides. Yet again i did say what i meant the first time they have every right to be stationed there. WHY CANT WE JUST MAKE PEACE & ALL GET ALONG & BAKE BROWNIES [(Make Sure Its The Chewy Ones)] ((: It's Not Over, We're Not Sure of Anything Yet. We shouldn't relax our booties we should stand and Be Prepared For Anything. ((:

5/26/2011
Philadelphia, PA

Alexandria
Mr. Frank/Northeast High School
After hearing that Osama Bin Laden had finally been found and killed i was at first relieved. With the constant news reports and interviews i had seen about it i began to think "what now?" Knowing he was the leader of an widely established crew of possible terriost i became worried. I worried that they would obviously react negative to this matter, and i wondered if they are planning an attack on the U.S again. I believe that the our foreign policy should now become even more secure and crack down on the amount of immagrants that enter America. It is a bit frustrating knowing the procedures will be even tougher and longer but it is the sacrifice we'll have to make in order to keep our country safe. And hopefully we won't have to deal with anymore terrible losses as we did during 9/11.

5/26/2011
Irving/ TExas

Kenneth
H. Bradley/ Nimitz
I do not think Osama bin Laden's death will affect the U.S. foreign policy. We have already prepared for terrorist attacks, so it would be a waste of time to lower our defense down again to where it was and allow another attack. The United States should get out of Afghanistan as soon as possible. We no long have a reason for being over there, unless they have collected other intel concerning terrorist attacks. The U.S. should not only be worried about al-Queda, because I am pretty sure that they are not the only people that dislike America. Then last but not least, if there was no reason to include Pakistan, then we did not need to include them in the raid.

5/25/2011
Irving/TX

Jincy
Bradley/Nimitz
I dont see how the foreign policy can change just because of Osamas death. The U.S only killed the leader of Al-Qaeda, they havent gotten rid of terrorists or the group altogether. So they really shouldnt try getting out of Afghanistan yet especially now when theres actually a chance of some sort of retaliation. By June I think we should probably take a small portion of the 100,000 troops out just for our Safety here.Also I think that we should focus our counterterrorism efforts on other countries too.Afghanistan cant be the only country out there thats not happy with us.

5/24/2011
Irving/Tx

David B.
Bradley/Nimitz
The foreign policy won't budge. But surely the U.S. needs to up the security all over the country. The killing of Usama marks a milestone in the nation's history. Usama was powerful, wealthy and praised and had the ability to pay off Pakistan's government so we should be a bit skeptical making allies with their people and militias. If it were up to me we'd be leaving Afganistan and all those countries and bomb the taliban's hideouts.

5/24/2011
Irving/TX

Alen G.
Bradley/Nimitz
The death of Bin Laden brings with it justification for the US's rather infamous history of meddling. It's the meddling that struck down the modern world's most notorious terrorist. The US should speed their exit from Afghanistan, though, as their reason to be there is no longer alive. The mission was to find and capture or kill Osama, which has been done; so why remain there? I personally disagree with our meddling in other countries' affairs and don't believe our counterterrorism efforts should be pursued. The US was right in leaving Pakistan out of their plans, as Pakistan's involvement in Osama's hiding is questionable.

5/24/2011
Irving/TX

Dennis N.
Bradley/Nimitz
Prior to Osama Bin Laden's death, United States foreign policy will not change any bit. Terrorism would be at its highest peak due to Bin Laden's death so the United States should not speed up its exit from Afganistan. The Afgan people are now in need of dire protection. The United States should still focus on counter-terrorism efforts but only for the countries that need protection from terrorist groups. Too much money is being spent. Even though the U.S raid that killed Osama was not notified to Pakistan how would you not know that he was there in your country. For now on, US decisions should not include Pakistan due to them “not knowing” that Bin Laden was hiding in their country.

5/23/2011
Irving/TX

Brittany P
Bradley/Nimitz
Considering the Taliban followers are still angry with the U.S. for killing Osama, I don't think the foreign policy will change. This would be the worst time to take away troops from Afghanistan, as the terrorist there are now more upset than ever. Obama should continue with his plan to reduce the troops in a few months, but only if he feels there is an actual decrease in terrorism or if the Taliban decides to agree to Clinton's statement. Although I would say the U.S. needs to focus on crucial natural crisis happening on their own turf, there is still a dependance on the U.S. in Afghanistan so we can't pull out completely, just yet. The U.S. decision against including Pakistan in Osama's killing was the right choice, as they don't want Pakistan to be under attack.

5/23/2011
Irving/Texas

Aaron M
Bradley/Nimitz
I think that the foreign policy will not change. The death of the terrorist leader will not prevent other terrorists from entering the US boarders. If we allow ourselves to set up a false sense of security as a result from the death of Bin Laden, then we are destined to fail. Our foreign policy should remain as is in order to protect the citizens of the United States. As for leaving Afghanistan, we should leave when it will not cause the infrastructure of the country to collapse and become victim of other terrorist groups/leaders. The U.S. needs to pull out and focus on local issues within the states.

5/23/2011
Irving/ Texas

Dalton E.
Bradley/ Nimitz High School
Foreign policy will probably not change, since our number one priority is to protect our country against terrorism, since our number one terrorist is dead, he WILL be replaced in our lists. If Afghan still harbors terrorists then no, there will not be an exit of U.S. Military until all the terrorists with in that country are exterminated. If any, the time table should be extended, until the insurgents are taken care of. Counterterrorism efforts are already in other countries, if we have a presence in the country, its our way saying we can be here and anywhere we want to be. If will included Pakistan with the raid, we would have a major risk of having a high Pakistani official, who might be an al Qaeda operative, blow the whole thing up by telling bin Laden.

5/20/2011
Irving/ Tx

LaTisha V.
Bradley/ Nimitz High School
I believe that our country needs to stay well guarded and expect the worst. Bin Laden's followers will retaliate. Also, now that we have went into Pakistan without their government's approval, we probably have another enemy. Bin Laden's death will certainly make the U.S. foreign policy stronger. I believe that our troops should stay in Afghanistan, because leaving now only gives them time to plot their next attack.

5/20/2011
Montgomery, Tx

Kasey E
Metzger/ Montgomery High
My personal beleif is that just as United States took 10years to track down and kill Bin Laden,they will retaliate in some way, when we least expect it.We enterd Pakistan without their goverments approval or knowledge, and that country is now very upset with the United States. We need to speed up our military withdrawl, and let the people of those countries dictatethier own gov. and laws. We have complated our mission to hunt down and kill the people beleived are responsible for 9/11/2001. Now i think its time, to bring out men n women home. Our owwn National Security is of the utmost importance now, in case of future retaliation.

5/20/2011
Montgomery/TX

Andrew B
Metzger/Montgomery High
Our relations with foriegn countries are defianatly on a low right now, i mean we intruded on Pakistans soil without legal consent to terminate an alien. What is going to happen next? We don't know yet but we need to most watch out for revengeful retaliation. It would be nice for a change to start bringing home some of our troops so they can get back to families and friends, also we need to take Al Quada serioulsy, this is'nt a game or is it? We will win.

5/19/2011
Irving/Tx

Shelby Z.
Bradley/Nimitz
I think that the United States should remove some of the 100,000 U.S. troops that are stationed in Afghanistan a little quicker than their timetable because of Osamas death but not all. Just because Osama has been defeated does not mean something else couldn't happen. We should still be ready for anything.

5/19/2011
Philadelphia, PA

Kaitlynn A.
Mr. Frank/Northeast High
Now that Osama bin Laden was killed, I feel that it will greatly affect U.S. foreign policy. Since the attacks in NY on 9/11, our country changed the foreign policies and now, I believe it will change even more. His death will heighten security even more because al-Qaeda say that they will avenge his death. We should definitely be prepared for any kind of attack by uping our security. Pakistan says that they didn't know that Osama was hiding there but I feel as though they must have known. We shouldn't take their word for it as far as I'm concerned. Even though we killed our "public enemy number one" doesn't mean we should sit back and relax. Now is the time to get ready and be prepared for anything terrorist related that may come our way.

5/18/2011
Philadelphia/ PA

Allie K
Mr. Frank/Northeast High School
I believe that Osama Bin Laden's death will greatly affect the U.S. foreign policy. Since 9/11 our foreign policies has changed and we have been extra careful, now with the murder of Bin Laden, the U.S. must continue to be extra careful especially since Bin Laden was a big influence to his followers, from someone like him you never know what to expect. I think the U.S. should speed up it's exit from Afghanistan because Osama Bin Laden is no longer a threat since we know he is no longer alive, there is the worry about his followers but as long as we have protection in America everything should be fine. I also do agree that the U.S. shouldn't include Pakistan in the raid that killed Bin Laden because we should start focusing mainly on our nation and stay out of involvement with other foreign countries for our own good.

5/17/2011
la,ca

jose
boyle hieght
what made happen if there another attack because of the die of america number 1 wanted?

5/16/2011
Sidney,MT

Krissy H
Sidney High School
I belive bin Laden's death will definantly affect our relations with foreign countries. Because the raid that killed him took place without notifying Pakistan, it probably set us on bad terms with the country.

5/16/2011
Irving/TX

Hector G.
Bradley/Nimitz
There is no way to accurately assume that Osama Bin lAden's death will in any way adhere to the end of Al-Qaeda or terrorism in any way. Like any other political or organized structure, Al-Qaeda has a chain of command that will ensure the power will be given to the person in highest command, the end of Al-Qaeda will be a result of assistance as a combined effort by the countries that harbor taliban or Al-Qaeda members, to end this terrorism. In the death of Osama Bin Laden, the U.S.' foregin policy should include an increase of support between middle-eastern nations such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. Bin Laden's discovery in Pakistan was a surprise to many including Pakistani officials who didn't seem to know that he was hiding out in a compound inside Pakistani borders, this brings up a question on whether U.S. involvement in Afghanistan is even neccesary and if it is just hurting the U.S. on every front; on the economical standpoint, from the political front and social front. An early exeunt from Afghanistan due to the news of Bin Laden's death, should come swiftly to end the frustration that the United States' military has put on the public's shoulders and wallets. If anything our government should want the rapid removal of as many troops as we can from Afghanistan while still maintaining our "object" in the middle east. Here we see countries such as Pakistan not knowing that they are harboring dangerous al-Qaeda members and thus are not working as well with us to end terrorism. Most of the counterterrorism efforts should come internally from those nations that have more contact, expertise and knowledge of terrorist alliances, that could help the United States, Britain, etc. in ending the spread of terrorism. It seems unjust that the United States went in to a foreign territory and killed peope, although those people are some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world, without the consent of Pakistan, to this raid I do not agree with the U.S. policies.

5/12/2011
Irving/Tx

Baldemar Martinez
Bradley/Nimitz High School
The United States foreign policy has already changed by the intrusion of the United States entering Pakistan, and killing Osama Bin Laden. The United states has keep going with the war on terrorism for ten years, and personally I believe if a retreat is in order a repeat of the Vietnam war will happen. No one loves wars especially long one, but America must continue in its task to end the rain of terror that has shocked the world by the development of powerful weapons. Pakistan is not really involucrated in the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, but the fact that he was within the nation who seemed shocked that he was their should not be such a burden. Greatly Pakistan has seed that the will give unstinted support to help the United States and bring an end to Al Quidah and I believe the United States capture, and execution of Osama Bin Laden should not be a concerned for the country who had promised to help the United States.

5/10/2011
Irving/Tx

Katy P
Bradley/Nimitz High School
I believe that we should evaluate our relations with Pakistan. We should not take their word that they were unknowingly housing Osama in the first place. I do NOT think that we should speed up the withdrawing of troops from Afghanistan because I believe that would just leave us vulnerable for attack. I do believe we should decrease the number of troops, but not at a rapid pace. I think we should focus on the other countries that are not harboring al-Qaeda because there could be multiple terrorist groups that al-Qaeda could have organized. I think it is a good idea that we did not include Pakistan on our attack because word could have gotten out and Osama could have been relocated before we ever got to him.

5/10/2011
Irving, TX

Andrea C
Bradley/Nimitz
I think bin Laden's death will play a huge part in our relations with other nations for awhile. This is perfectly understandable because no one is sure of what will happen next. On one hand, there's the worry of retaliation from Pakistan itself. How can we be sure they aren't greatly offended and willing to act on that? They probably aren't too trusting of us at the moment and who can blame them? Our NAVY seals went on their soil and fulfilled the duty of eliminating someone without their consent. Given the circumstances I believe it is crucial that we speed up the process of retrieving our troops from Afghanistan.

5/10/2011
Irving/TX

Josh J
Bradley/Nimitz
The United States did the world a huge favor by ending Osama's rein of terror, but the actions will not go unheard of. Since our main goal has been achieved, I believe that the military should start backing down in areas in the middle east. This needs to be on a fast paced schedule because acts of counterterrorism are needed elsewhere. Even though we did not let Pakistan know of the raid, I am sure that they are grateful for it. Al-Qaeda did not anticipate this action that left them without a leader of their people. They are left clueless to what should happen next.

5/6/2011
Irving/ TX

Josh Abraham
Bradley/ Nimitz High School
I think that the killing of Osama should first leave us questioning our relations with Pakistan. We should not just take Pakistan's word that they were ignorant. We should be secretly suspicious of Pakistan and subtly investigate its intention. Also, we should have less troops in Afghanistan and more security at home, since Al-Qaeda is vying for revenge against the U.S. for the killing of Osama. Also, we should make sure we take threats from Al-Qaeda seriously, as they strongly believe Osama Bin Laden was a martyr.

5/6/2011
Irving/Tx

Richard L
Bradley/Nimitz
Osama Bin Laden's death was both positive and negative. A positive effect Osama's death is that America has killed the most wanted man in the world, but a negative effect his death caused is the increase in the threat of terrorism. Because the threats are increasing, I believe America should keep their troops there and stick to their current timetable. Now, America will constantly monitor airports and train stations even more carefully. I believe our foreign policy will change because America has invaded Osama's compound without Pakistan's permission, which might cause minor conflict, but beside that nothing else will change much.

5/6/2011
Irving, TX

Bailey M
Bradley/ Nimitz High School
Right now everyone's senses are heightened, because we are fearful of retaliation from the al-Qaeda. I think eventually this fear will lessen, but airports and train/subway stations will keep their level of security up to what it is now. They will not back down. Many countries are congratulating us on the killing of Osama and they are on our side, but there are a few different countries that are not supportive of us and that is where things become strained in foreign relations. The US troops should not quicken their efforts to leave Afghanistan, because that could possibly make a bigger problem with terrorist groups. The troops need to follow the original time line for leaving unless something else changes.

5/5/2011
Montgomery/TX

Matthew
Mezger Montgomery High school
I don't think much will change because of Osama's death. But we shouldn't loosen our scurity or pull our troops from Afghanistan too quickly. We already know what Osama's followers are capible of. And since Osama was found in Pakistani why should we try to obtain cooperation from them. They hid a man who was number one enemy to American.

5/4/2011
Mexico

Sonia J.
St. Patrick's School
Surely, this is the very beggining of WWIII

5/4/2011
Sidney, MT

Tim
Mr. Faulhaber
I really dont think there will be a drastic effect on foriegn policy. If anything just stricter security.

5/4/2011
INDIA

Kumar Arpit
DPS
Killing of Osama Bin Laden marks the victory of good over evil. It was the outcome of the heroic endeavour of US and its a result of its persistent efforts. We have just covered a portion of our jpurney whoese destination is demolition of the empire of terrorist outfits throughout the world. In my opinion US should continue its "WAR ON TERROR" in Afganistan and Taliban. It should not let the place turn into a safe heaven for the terrorists. They will contemplate to retaliate and we have to be far more vigilent to foul their heinious plans. Pakistan has always shown a double stndard. It is hard to digest the fact that it was ignorant about the hideout of OBL. It has sidelined itself from US's operation which brougth fatal end to OBL. We ought to look at Pakistan with suspicion..

5/3/2011
Philadelphia, Pa

Dominika S
Northeast High School/Mr. Frank
Osama bin Laden's death may negatively affect America. It is good that he has been killed by Americans, because he will not lead al-Quidea to commit more terrorism in America. However, those whom he was a leader for are probably very mad and will want to compensate. There is a possibility that for loosing their leader they may try to attack the American government. I believe that if American troops would move out from Afghanistan, it would show that they just wanted to end the terror which was caused by al-Quidea. It would also show that Americans do want peace between the government. However I am not sure if moving from Afghanistan would be good, because if the al-Quidea will attack the US, then they will of course go back to Afghanistan, and the war would start over. In my opinion the best way is for the troops to stay in Afghanistan for some time, and if al-Quidea will not attack the US, the American troops should come home.

5/3/2011
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Tasnia Islam
Mr. Frank / Northeast High School
The death of Bin Laden gives us less of a reason to be fighting with Afghanistan. I mean the guy is dead so we shouldn't be at war. I think the U.S. will stay alert in case someone form Al- Qaeda wants to attack. I do believe that the troops should come home soon , because we're spending a lot money on them and there isn't much a point of them being there. We're not angry at the Afghani people. Pakistan should know about the raid in which Osama Bin Laden, because it's Pakistan's country and has a right to know what happens on its grounds. In a way, people will have faith in our country, because not a lot people believed of people thought we would find him let alone kill him. It will give them a reason to celebrate after all these years he got his punishment, what he deserves.