In case it escapes you Keith, there was a declared war in progress then.

It may be a "good thing" that ObL is dead, although there are possible adverse consequences, but the manner of his killing was improper.

If he was not an enemy soldier he was entitled to due process as much as anyone else. Outlawry vanished from civilised jurisprudence centuries ago. I hope that even the USA no longer has a category of "Wanted, dead or alive". There was no trial. There was no lawful sentence of death.

If he was an enemy soldier, then he was entitled to be treated as per convention. He wasn't.

If he was an enemy leader then international law proscribed assassination.

The US had no lawful power of arrest - or military action in what was neither within their jurisdiction nor an enemy territory.


This was simply the power of the gun.   The outcome may turn out to be advantageous, but that does not make it proper.