May 16, 2011 | Politico

Osama bin Laden Killed

A battle has been won in a war that is far from over. Osama bin Laden’s death brings a small measure of justice. It has taken too long – but at least bin Laden won’t be around to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. That deadline was fast approaching.

Al Qaeda is damaged but it is not finished. It has cells around the world. Are some of those cells prepared to stage reprisal attacks? It’s likely we’ll know soon.

Based on initial reports, it appears that Pakistani intelligence was involved in this operation. Let’s hope so – though those Pakistanis who cooperated with us will now be targeted both by Al Qaeda and by the Taliban.

Speaking of the Taliban: This may not make them easier to defeat. But that mission still needs to be accomplished.

Combine bin Laden’s death with regime change in Iran and the jihadist movement that has been waging a war against the West for more than 30 years would be seriously set back.

One more thing: It’s interesting that Osama bin Laden is reported to have been living in a “mansion.” More than a year ago, I wrote: “I don’t think Osama is living in a cave. I think he’s in a quite comfortable villa.” I wonder what he was doing when American special operators came knocking on his door. Watching TV maybe?