MAN IN CHARGE: Navy admiral William McRaven spoke to Newsnight last night
The Independent: Osama Bin Laden could 'absolutely' have been captured alive, says US military commander
Former special operations commander says Seals made 'right decision'.
The American military commander in charge of the special operations raid that killed Osama bin Laden has said the al-Qaeda founder could “absolutely” have been captured alive.
Admiral William McRaven, the former head of the US Special Operations Command, insisted Seal Team Six’s assault on the compound where the terrorist lived with his family in Pakistan was not a “kill only” mission.
He told the BBC’s Newsnight programme that the 2011 mission went “pretty much as we planned it” with the exception of a helicopter that was destroyed by American forces after clipping the compound’s walls during landing.
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WNU Editor: It would have been preferable if he was captured alive .... but risking the lives of the Navy SEALs involved in the operation was (and is) not acceptable. In the end .... from what I know through the public remarks of the men who were involved in the operation .... it was the right call.
The notion that the US "absolutely" could have captured Bin Laden alive is preposterous on its face. It might be correct to say such a capture would have been "possible" or perhaps even "probable" but to say US forces "absolutely" could have is an extraordinary claim.
ReplyDeleteSuch claims require extraordinary evidence. Such evidence has not been presented. As such, the claim must be dismissed until such evidence is presented. The compound where OBL was deep in Pakistani territory and was well secured. OBL and his core supporters would have been well armed and they were/are well trained. As such, such claims are likely ridiculous that he "absolutely" could have been captured alive. Frankly, its unhelpful to make such claims.
Why did this commander make such a statement? I assert two possibilities. 1.)He truly is a delusional man and really believes such nonsense. 2.)He is overstating the capabilities of the US military for political purposes or perhaps some other purposes. I'm sure his bosses liked to hear such nonsense. When there is not a profit motive and bad decisions don't lead to going out of business, by all means feed the boss what he/she wants to hear/see/taste or whatever!!
Holding Osama would have stepped up the operational tempo of terror incidents.
ReplyDeleteSooner or later the Muslims are going to pull another Beslan. They will round up a few hundred and demand the GITMO detainees be released, detainees held in America be released, or one of their leaders.
You do not capture them.