al-Awlaki killed.

The US confirmed today that Anwar Al-Awlaki is dead via drone strike.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/30/501364/main20113732.shtml

Discuss.

I just put that link in the Middle Eastern protests thread... This one specifically.

And like I said there, the two are not related. Just because its in the middle east doesn't mean it has to do with the topic. That is specifically about the Arab Revolts. This is about the War on Terror.

Al Qaeda in Yemen is one of the players seeking to oust Saleh. It's fairly relevant if tangential.

Agreed.

That good, I guess. An impersonal death in a military operation probably has a lower chance of elevating him to martyrdom and "inspiring" others than a capture and high-profile trial.

edited 30th Sep '11 5:28:25 AM by Medinoc

AQAP is one faction of many in Yemen. Even if Saleh was at full strength, they'd be trying to use his land as a base. That they are trying to take advantage of the situation is one thing, but Awlaki is important for entirely different reasons.

The man, being American-born and supremely charismatic, was capable of better recruitment among westerners than the Osama-led old guard. And while his arguments were still wrong, he was a far better debater than Osama ever could have been, which made him even more effective among his followers.

The underwear bomber is directly related to Awlaki's actions. He got taken out, and thus it changes the paradigm of the Wo T. Doesn't change a thing in the Arab Revolt, since AQAP isn't gonna fall like a house of cards and thus will remain however relevant that they do in regards to the protests in lieu of his death.

I forget, was he ever charged with anything or was his mere position all it was (not that it matters now, just curious)?

edited 30th Sep '11 5:35:14 AM by FFShinra

Well, he's suspected of having "inspired" the army base shooter and some members of the 9/11 commando.

So the United States kills another terrorist leader without a trial. Terrorism is a crime not a casus beli.

How would this be a cause for war? Unlike Pakistan, Saleh allows for drone strikes.

The United States used it as a casus beli but what is going to happen if Yemen descends into civil war and the USA cant use drone strikes?

Why would the civil war prevent use of drone strikes?

Because Saleh wont be the man in charge? and it would be easy for anti-government forces to say that he is the pet of the USA if they continued?

Edit: If you want to talk about it then spin off a thread.

edited 30th Sep '11 7:49:39 AM by whaleofyournightmare

If there is a civil war the US will be able to bomb all its want. It will probably support a faction with the help of Saudi Arabia of course.

edited 30th Sep '11 8:19:36 AM by Baff

@OP: About time.

Great that he's finally dead.

Terrorism is a crime, but when you're an armed fanatic with several other armed fanatics conducting terrorist actions, it is a cassus belli to get killed.

Would you expect that we rolled in Osama style wherever he's at? Anwar had a large compliment of well trained guards and his own private army/militia. That's not the type of environment that's ripe for a capture, but it's definitely ripe for a kill.

This is good news. It's great to hear that he won't be causing any more trouble (yeah yeah, there are more out there, but one less).

So, who got the 5 kill streak?

What were al-Awlaki's alleged crimes anyway

He was tied to a few acts of terrorism in the US and was increasingly influential on al Qaeda in Yemen. He called for the killing of American citizens and called the Fort Hood shooting "an heroic and wonderful act".

Trained and recruited the underwear bomber for one.

Someone will be better at telling you than me.

I just know that because its related to my local area.

He was the specific cleric that influenced Nidal Hasan to shoot up Fort Hood.

Edit: Finding the correct trope

The Corrupter maybe

edited 30th Sep '11 12:01:45 PM by Thorn14

You mean shitbag who had it coming isn't a trope?

Mook Maker too.

Good riddance.