Changes

Killing bin Laden was never an objective or priority of the Bush administration. Knowing full well Islam is a doctrine of vengence - not love or forgiveness - the [[War on Terror]] was stipulated from the beginning to be about prevention, not retribution. Killing bin Laden was a [[Hydra]]'s head, the death of one would only spawn the rise of many to take bin Laden's place in [[Allah]]'s relentless struggle against his enemies. US intelligence agencies certainly knew this. Shortly after bin Laden's execution, the Islamic State was declared, and the call went out from the [[Caliph]] to Muslim warriors globally to enter the jihad. Thousands of foreign fighters arose from every continent. When Obama and Brennan departed from office [[Europe]] had been invaded and the West was losing the global jihad.<ref>http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/06/10/we-are-losing-the-war-on-terror/ </ref>

Killing bin Laden was never an objective or priority of the Bush administration. Knowing full well Islam is a doctrine of vengence - not love or forgiveness - the [[War on Terror]] was stipulated from the beginning to be about prevention, not retribution. Killing bin Laden was a [[Hydra]]'s head, the death of one would only spawn the rise of many to take bin Laden's place in [[Allah]]'s relentless struggle against his enemies. US intelligence agencies certainly knew this. Shortly after bin Laden's execution, the Islamic State was declared, and the call went out from the [[Caliph]] to Muslim warriors globally to enter the jihad. Thousands of foreign fighters arose from every continent. When Obama and Brennan departed from office [[Europe]] had been invaded and the West was losing the global jihad.<ref>http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/06/10/we-are-losing-the-war-on-terror/ </ref>

The Bush administration was content to leave bin Laden under house arrest, a coward in hiding, incapable of leading or directing further attacks, while others died fighting 'Western materialism'.

The Bush administration was content to leave bin Laden under house arrest, a coward in hiding, incapable of leading or directing further attacks, while others died fighting '[[Western]] [[materialism]]'.

But Obama was always motivated by domestic politics, and Democrats' hatred of Bush could be mollified with a single issue - standing the War on Terror on its head and turning it into something it was never intended to be -- payback. Payback and retribution would repudiate America'a Christian ethic and make America no different than the enemies we fought. In keeping Brennan on as a Bush holdover, Obama wanted Brennan to enhance Obama's 2016 re-election prospects. Public approval gained from killing bin Laden was calculated to offset criticism of the kill list, and obscure the legal and moral objections from international and humanitarian organizations. Both would be rewarded in the end. This time Brennan wasn't denied appointment as CIA Director when Obama was reelected.

But Obama was always motivated by domestic politics, and Democrats' hatred of Bush could be mollified with a single issue - standing the War on Terror on its head and turning it into something it was never intended to be -- payback. Payback and retribution would repudiate America'a Christian ethic and make America no different than the enemies we fought. In keeping Brennan on as a Bush holdover, Obama wanted Brennan to enhance Obama's 2016 re-election prospects. Public approval gained from killing bin Laden was calculated to offset criticism of the kill list, and obscure the legal and moral objections from international and humanitarian organizations. Both would be rewarded in the end. This time Brennan wasn't denied appointment as CIA Director when Obama was reelected.