I haven't posted in a while... I have a difficult time dealing with the wild conspiracies that inevitably evolve, especially with momentous news like this.
On penetration of Pakistani airspace I posted this on another forum, and I think it's applicable:
People have unrealistic expectations on AD (Air Defense) systems, such as radar, SAMs, and interceptors. Much of this is due to nationalistic propaganda that claims "Our airspace is sealed. Impenetrable. Guarded by the most advanced blah blah blah..." But the truth is simple. Airspace is impossible to deny to a determined force. I haven't any doubt that the helicopters could, and did, operate with impunity for a period of time. And the time is important. Done quickly, the possibility of a successful intercept or targeting are slim.
And yes, this applies as well to nations like China, Russia, and the U.S.
Low flying helicopters at night are extremely challenging targets for a fighter. The radar detection relies on a doppler return, and depending upon the airspeed, the return can be nil. The target is lost in ground clutter. The forward-moving blades do not provide an adequate signal. The helicopters can appear like rocks or cars.
Ground-based SAM systems - the window to detect and target can be fleeting. And when detected, there will be much doubt. If you are a young officer commanding a SAM battery, are you going to make the decision to fire on that target? You've got 30 seconds. Is it a Pakistani Chinook full of your guys? And the target is now gone. You shrug you shoulders, maybe phone the contact in, and go about your business.
And now we have the news that a stealthy chopper was used.
Disposal of the body - the U.S. is in a no-win situation.
Keep the corpse, display it, allow everyone (including Muslim doctors) to inspect it...
"The U.S. is insulting Islam! They are abusing the body! He must be buried within 24 hours facing Mecca."
Dispose of the corpse by burial at sea...
"The whole thing was faked! Where's the proof? OBL is living in a suburb of Washington!"
Display gruesome death photos...
"They are mocking him! This is disrespectful!"
and of course, inevitably...
"It's a PHOTOSHOP!!"
I haven't the slightest doubt that they saved enough DNA for 1,000 tests. And there will be archived photos that may be conveniently leaked at some point, but apparently later rather than sooner.
On the hard questions for Pakistan: There will be a lot of noise for a period of time. The American perspective is that there are too may people in Pakistan sympathetic to OBL, which is why the op was not a joint effort. Evidence for this comes from the many rallies where US flags are burned and prayers said for this criminal.
But eventually cooperation will continue... there's too much to lose otherwise.
Is it a drama? A conspiracy? No. If OBL has been dead for years, his death would have been announced by Bush. If he is still alive, all it would take would be one videotape of him to make America look astoundingly foolish.
There is so much more to comment on, but this is already too long. I'm just glad he's dead.
