Global Times: World should avoid another bin Laden

14:07, May 04, 2011

Email | Print | Subscribe | Comments | Forum

The US announced on Monday that Osama bin Laden had been killed, triggering nationwide jubilation among its public. Though many hailed it as a milestone victory for the anti-terrorism struggle, it probably cannot be regarded as a turning point.

In fact, bin Laden has already not functioned as the supreme leader of Al Qaeda for several years. If taking him as a certain symbol of anti-Western extremism, we cannot eradicate that spirit of hatred by physically eliminating the man. Therefore while it deserves celebration that bin Laden is dead, the West must not exaggerate the significance of his death. There is a long way to go in eliminating terrorism and extremism from the planet.

The world, especially the US, should think profoundly upon the bin Laden phenomenon. Why does bin Laden command such great influence? It remains unknown whether they have devoted sufficient energy to addressing these deeply underlying questions. US President Obama said, "The fact once again reminds us that once the United States decided to do, it is sure to get anything done." The US should dedicate itself to dealing with bigger troubles.

The West is the origin of modern democracy. However, the West-dominated world is so unfair in many aspects!

During the last decade of fighting terrorism, the world saw the US do nothing to seriously eliminate this fundamental unfairness.

The War on Terror launched by the US has been largely successful. However, the US hasn't achieved a total victory. Most important is that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have failed to create stable new regimes. The war on terrorism has caused a decline in American soft power.

It is strange that the US has spent 10 years searching for and finally killing bin Laden under modern technological conditions. While celebrating, the US authorities should reflect on these 10 years with a down-to-earth attitude: What has made a small victory that should have been acquired much earlier become a "major victory" requiring a decade of effort?

In recent years, every country has improved its national security apparatus. The US especially has obtained a temporary peace after paying a high price. However, nobody feels that terrorism has been eradicated and that it might not strike again at any time, and in any place.

The elimination of hatred within a country should proceed from social justice. The US should not indulge in a new bout of narcissism over its hard power simply because bin Laden is dead. Otherwise they might seed the soil for the appearance of yet more bin Ladens.

When the party's over, the US must renew its focus upon more serious, long-term difficulties.

Source: Global Times