Stabalizing Iraq was a concern for America since Clinton (though I don't say they did that at all), and it was a concern even before 9/11. But you're right, the previous administration had spent so much time in Iraq and forgot about Afghanistan (not a partisan opinion at all, since the troop levels from 2001 - 2008 reflect that).
However, I don't think it's hard for anyone to stay hidden in Pakistan. We're talking mountains, caves, and etc., where the military's presence is limited because it's trying to protect civilians, respect a government, and fighting an insurgency, ISI assistance, and virtually NO technology being used.
There was a documentary about this the other day where people were discussing the exact same thing.
But I mean, there a cases with Americans where we don't find them or locate them for months when the change their identity and just look at America. It intrigues me but it doesn't surprise me.
There will be terrorism after he's dead and there'll always be terrorism (because of how cheap and easy it is. I was thinking the other day, if someone wanted to, they could easily build a bomb [hopefully the FBI would be tracking them before it's constructed], driveby a wal-mart, and just toss it in and boom. Easily they'd kill about 50 - 70 people. And what do you do to protect against something like that? More security guards? More surveillance? Check everyone who comes in at the door? At some point there's just only so much you can do), but Osama remains a key player and a key symbol for Al-Queda (I'm pretty sure the Taliban has broken most of their ties with him though they come in contact every once in awhile). Killing him would severely weaken them.
On a related note, NATO, American, and Afghan troops drove the majority of the Taliban out of Kandahar.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/21/world/asia/21kandahar.html?ref=world
AnthoNYC said:
I understand but with the technology we have today it's really hard for anyone to stay hidden. It's just that no one wants to look for him. If finding Osama Bin Laden, the true cause of 9/11, was America's goal instead of bringing democracy to Iraq then we would have already found him.
Doesn't really matter though. He'll be dead soon but terrorism will continue.