Readings on bin Laden part 2: No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "As the unofficial representative of the Saudi kingdom, bin Laden travelled to Pakistan in 1980 to support the decade long anti-Soviet multinational Afghan mujaheddin campaign. Having distinguished himself as the leader of the Arab mujaheddin, bin Laden drew support from a cadre of participants and supporters that fought in Muslim conflict zones. After a dispute with the Saudi regime over basing US troops in Saudi Arabia, he directed terrorist attacks against the Saudi regime. However, his prime target was the US. To fight US-supported Muslim regimes, bin Laden created a dozen camps for training young Muslim fighters in Sudan from 1991 to 1996 and in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001."

Readings on Bin Laden part 1: No end to leader's bloody legacy

No end to leader's bloody legacy | The Australian: "OSAMA bin Laden influenced the contemporary wave of global terrorism more than any other terrorist figure. While his own group al-Qa'ida spearheaded the most devastating attacks, bin Laden built a global terror network by bringing together like-minded groups from conflict zones in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Both operationally and ideologically, al-Qa'ida influenced insurgent and terrorist groups and spawned a movement that will outlive its founder and leader.

For three decades straddling two centuries, bin Laden played a significant role in globalising terrorism. In the Muslim world, he played the most decisive role in spreading the tactic of suicide terrorism. Having conducted mass fatality attacks against the US, bin Laden provoked the US, its allies and friends to intervene in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Although puritanical in his belief, bin Laden also harnessed modern communications platforms to politicise, radicalise and mobilise millions of supporters and sympathisers.

Most importantly, he crafted an ideology of deep hatred against the West and against non-Muslims. He could communicate complex messages in simple words. Speaking softly with a Koran in one hand and an AK47 in the other, he built mass appeal across the Muslim world."

Weigh in on this issue. What can you say? Bin Laden Killing: the Legal Basis

Bin Laden Killing: the Legal Basis - Council on Foreign Relations: "The killing is not prohibited by the longstanding assassination prohibition in Executive Order 12333 because the action was a military action in the ongoing U.S. armed conflict with al-Qaeda and it is not prohibited to kill specific leaders of an opposing force. The assassination prohibition also does not apply to killings in self-defense. The executive branch will also argue that the action was permissible under international law both as a permissible use of force in the U.S. armed conflict with al-Qaeda and as a legitimate action in self-defense, given that bin Laden was clearly planning additional attacks.
Some critics of the administration's legal theory that the United States is in an armed conflict with al-Qaeda might--if they were consistent with their past criticisms--argue that the United States did not have a right to use military force against bin Laden outside of Afghanistan, and that Washington should instead have sent an extradition request to Pakistan or asked the Pakistani government to arrest bin Laden. But such traditional critics may prefer to remain silent in this instance."

Sabah Update: THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM part 4

THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM: "The annual Rental Money for Sabah with a land area of 73,711 square kilometers at Philippine Pesos 77,442.36 or US$1500 by Malaysia to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu is unjust and unfair. Malaysia derives US$100 billion GDP per year in Sabah, therefore, the Sultan of Sulu and Sultan of Sabah should receive at least 10% to 12% (US$10 billion to US$12 billion) as rent per annum so that such amount can be used for economic developments of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan and Zamboanga. These areas lack roads, drinking water, electricity, hospitals, medicines, schools and mosques."

Sabah Update: THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM part 3

THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM: "Based on facts, reality and history, His Majesty’s Government or the Government of the Sultan of Sulu and Sabah as owner never gave its consent to the 1963 British transfer of Sabah to Malaysia which means that the “Lease is breached” and based on point of Law, it can be stated that Sabah must and should be returned to the Lawful Owner namely to the Sultan of Sulu. Sabah is the private property of the Sultan of Sulu up to now and the Sabah occupation of Malaysia is unlawful. In 1906 and 1920 the USA formally reminded Great Britain that Sabah is still owned by the Sultan of Sulu and the Sultanate of Sulu but Great Britain ignored the USA and proceeded to the illegal transfer of Sabah to Malaysia in 1963."

Sabah Update: THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM part 2

THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM: "The father of HM Sultan Jamalul Kiram II was HM Sultan Jamalul Ahlam Kiram (Sultan of Sulu and Sabah 1863 to 1881, great grandfather of HM Sultan Muhammad Fuad A. Kiram I) who rented North Borneo/ Sabah to a British Company represented by the two Dent brothers and Gustavus Baron von Overbeck in 1878. This 1878 North Borneo Lease states: “The abovementioned territories are from today truly leased to Gustavus Baron von Overbeck and to Alfred Dent, Esquire, as already said, together with their heirs, their associates (company) and to their successors and assigns for as long as they choose or desire to use them, but the rights and powers hereby leased shall not be transferred to another nation, or a company of other nationality, without the consent of His Majesty’s Government.”"

Sabah Update: THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM part 1

THE UNCONQUERED KINGDOM: "To repeat, in June of 1658, the Brunei Sultan Abdul Hakkul Mubin awarded the northeast coast of Borneo (Sabah) including Palawan as gifts to the Sultan of Sulu, for helping settle a civil war dispute against Pengiran Bongsu Muhyuddin. Thus, the Sultan of Sulu owned Sabah since then up to now. The Sabah and Palawan gift bestowal to the Sultan of Sulu was also confirmed by Brunei Sultan Bongsu Muhyuddin when he ascended the throne as the Sultan of Brunei on the year 1673."