The Post-Bin Laden World

Written by David Frum on Monday May 2, 2011

Bin Laden's death will have serious strategic implications in the years to come, most clearly in the U.S. relationship with Pakistan.

Here are five strategic implications of the bin Laden killing:

1) The US begins to recognize Pakistan less as a strategic partner, more as a strategic problem if not a strategic threat.

2) The US is freed to work more closely with India in future.

3) Stability of Afghanistan is perceived as less vital US national security interest.

4) Bin Laden's cowardly death - hiding behind a woman taken as a human shield - further damages his image in Muslim world as "strong horse." Prestige of al Qaeda-style terrorism diminished at exactly the moment that change is sweeping Arab world.

5) Hamas' condemnation of bin Laden’s killing - and self-identification with bin Laden - discredits the Palestinian Authority unity government, and complicates PA plans for a unilateral declaration of independence in September.

Categories: FF Spotlight News Tags: Afghanistan Islam Osama bin Laden Pakistan War on Terror