In May 2011, former US President Obama ordered an operation that eliminated the world’s most dangerous terrorist, Osama bin Laden. The process, known as “Geronimo,” was a welcome success in the fight against terrorism, but it also raised many questions and controversy in the US and beyond. Critics argued that Obama overstepped his authority by ordering an operation and that its results should be subject to legal and political review. In this essay, it should be argued that Obama had a legitimate right to order “Operation Geronimo” and that doing so was necessary for US national security.
First, it should be noted that “Operation Geronimo” was carried out following the law. The operation was based on intelligence that confirmed the location of Ben Laden in Pakistan (Soherwordi & Khattak, 2020). Obama has consulted legal experts and made sure that under international law, the US has the right to self-defense against terrorists who pose a threat to national security. In this case, Ben Laden was the leader of al-Qaeda and was responsible for many terrorist acts, including the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York and Washington (Krishna, 2019). Hence, Obama had a legitimate right to order “Operation Geronimo” as a US self-defense measure.
Moreover, it should be noted that “Operation Geronimo” was necessary for US national security. Al-Qaeda was the most dangerous terrorist organization in the world, and Ben Laden was its leader. He was responsible for the deaths of many people in the United States and worldwide. Ben Laden continued to threaten the US and promote his terrorist ideology, and eliminating it was necessary to protect national security (Hendrix & Major, 2022). Had Ben Laden been caught alive, he could have been the target of terrorist attacks or used as a hostage to extort political or economic concessions from the US. In that case, the execution of the operation was the only way to guarantee the safety of the US and its citizens.
Critics argue that Obama exceeded his authority by mandating an operation. However, this assertion needs to be more realistic. Under the United States Constitution, the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and is empowered to take measures to protect national security (Hendrix & Major, 2022). Obama had all the necessary authority and authority to decide on the operation based on intelligence and legal advice. Moreover, it should be noted that Obama was not the first president to order such operations. Previous Presidents have also resorted to using military force to counter terrorist threats. For example, President George W. Bush rated the invasion of Iraq in 2003 based on speculation that weapons of mass destruction could threaten the US (Krishna, 2019). Obama acted based on accurate intelligence on Ben Laden’s whereabouts and his role in terrorist acts.
It is important to note that Geronimo’s operation was not the only successful counter-terrorism operation conducted under Obama. Many other terrorist leaders had been eliminated during his presidency, and many successful operations had been carried out against terrorist groups. Some of them were held in cooperation with US allies, which allowed for improved international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Despite criticism from some political forces, the legitimacy and validity of Operation Geronimo were recognized by most of the international community. This underlines the importance of cooperation and coordination among countries in the fight against terrorism. It should also be noted that all legal and ethical standards must be respected in the fight against terrorism to avoid violations of human rights and international treaties.
Critics likewise declare the procedure was illegal because it was not negotiated with the Pakistani government. However, it should be noted that the United States has the right to self-defense against terrorist threats, even if they are in the territory of other countries. In addition, Ben Laden was a foreign national who participated in terrorist acts against the United States and other countries, so his removal could be considered a legitimate self-defense measure.
Some critics argue that Geronimo’s operation was ineffective because it did not eliminate the terrorist threat. However, it should be noted that the removal of Bin Laden has led to a severe weakening of Al Qaeda and a decrease in the number of terrorist attacks (Soherwordi & Khattak, 2020). After Bin Laden’s death, al-Qaeda faced internal divisions and lost its leadership in global terrorism. This has enabled the US and its allies to improve their security and reduce terrorist threats. Moreover, Operation Geronimo allowed the US to demonstrate its determination to fight terrorism and protect national security. This has raised the US in the eyes of the world community and made clear that the US is prepared to take decisive measures to protect its citizens and allies.
In conclusion, it can be said that Obama’s order to accomplish Operation Geronimo was legitimate and well-founded. Ben Laden was a dangerous terrorist involved in numerous terrorist attacks against the United States and other countries, and his removal was necessary to protect national security. Operation Geronimo was carried out using intelligence and all legal aspects. The consequences of the operation were positive and led to a reduction in the level of terrorist threats and an increase in the US credibility in the world community.
References
Hendrix, P., M., & Major, J., S. (2022). “Communicating with intelligence.” Rowman & Littlefield.
Krishna, S. (2019). Manhunt Presidency: Obama, race, and the Third World. Third World Quarterly, 40(2), 284–297. Web.
Soherwordi, S., H., S., & Khattak, S., A. (2020). “Operation Geronimo: Assassination of Osama Bin Ladin and its implications on the US-Pakistan relations, War on Terror, Pakistan and Al-Qaeda.” Soherwordi | South Asian Studies. Web.