As students celebrate their graduation President Barack Obama announced perhaps another reason to celebrate. At approximately 11:30 p.m. (EST) on Sunday the president officially announced the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at a compound in Pakistan by U.S. forces.
Shortly after Obama’s announcement Waves weighed in on their concerns and ideas for what this means for U.S. policies domestically and abroad.
Maximillian Muller a junior who recently returned from Heidelberg was in Orange County at his grandparents’ house when he heard the news.
“We found out through a text actually Muller said. I was more excited than my grandparents were. I was more enthralled by the significance.”
Muller shared his feelings as a witness to such a monumental moment of American history suggesting this could be an opportunity for students to take the scene.
“I think it’s very rare that we see justice on the international scene Muller said. Our revenge was a just one and someone who deserved to be held accountable was held accountable for their actions. We should and can rally and support that kind of thing without being warmongers.”
On the other hand junior Taylor Harris does not see bin Laden’s death as a positive influence in the future.
“It’s nice that we got Osama bin Laden but it’s hardly worth celebrating in light of bad U.S. foreign policy Harris said.
The news of the successful killing of bin Laden begs the questions of U.S. security in the immediate future. Muller said he does not believe a threat to U.S. soil is imminent, though he does believe there should be no question that security should be heightened.
If the information is correct that Obama said [in his speech] that we acted in cooperation with the Pakistani government that shows a unity on the international scene at least in the War on Terror perhaps not with Iraq Muller said. I think the repercussions as far as further retaliation will be in the Middle East. I don’t foresee any significant attacks in the U.S.”
President of Pepperdine’s Middle Eastern Peace and Awareness (MEPA) organization Adrian Aurrecoechea had several immediate reactions to how bin Laden’s death will relate to U.S. security and anti-terror missions abroad.
“As far as making any changes I don’t feel like America is any more or less secure Aurrecoechea said, citing satellite groups of Al-Qaida as posing an equal threat to the United States as bin Laden did in his life, especially since they might be fueled by his death.
They’re all trying to achieve the same goal — trying to get the U.S. out of the Middle East Aurrecoechea said. They’ve been doing the best they can to achieve their mission and killing bin Laden isn’t going to weaken them.”
Aurrecoechea described the War on Terror as a war against an ideology that Al-Qaida and its umbrella groups perpetuate despite the victory of bin Laden’s death. According to Aurrecoechea Al-Qaida is not bin Laden alone.
“It’s different groups that spring up and are loosely affiliated Aurrecoechea said. “We’re fighting an ideology and fighting with violence isn’t going to solve the overall issue.”
Aurrecoechea also responded to Obama’s speech in relation to MEPA’s mission of fighting ignorance toward the Middle East.
“I think its great that he said that [the War on Terror] is not a war on Islam but just because he says something doesn’t mean [U.S.] policies reflect that Aurrecoechea said. We have to keep in mind that the Islamophobia in the U.S. affects policies domestically and abroad.”
Ultimately Aurrecoechea believes the president’s nonpartisan outlook in his address will benefit his popularity.
“More than anything he has secured himself votes in the next election Aurrecoechea said. He’s proven that he’s done something in the White House.”
Harris agrees that Obama will use bin Laden’s death as evidence of success of his administration.
“A lot of times we end up justifying bad actions as a good thing Harris said, explaining that the government might adopt an attitude of, It’s all working so let’s do more of it” to continue to implement poor policies abroad.
“It will probably be an important point in the next election Harris said.
As scores of Facebook statuses and Twitter updates multiply, whether in celebration of a U.S. victory or criticism of Obama, Pepperdine students are using social media as an opportunity to speak out.
Though many are celebrating tonight, and Obama has stated that justice has been served, Aurrecoechea believes the fight is not over yet.
Does it end the War on Terror? I would say no Aurrecoechea said.
Check back to the Graphic Online for updates as the story develops.