Ten year long wait. And the long despised American, ugly American to some, has accomplished his mission. Mission of getting Osama – bin - Laden of Al - Qaeda alive or dead. The American got Laden dead, anyway.

As I was watching the TV, I was reminded of our own forest brigand Veerappan and the President of Iraq Saddam Hussain. Veerappan died at the hands of the Police, while Saddam was caught by the Americans in his hide - out underground, hiding like a frightened rat.

In all these three cases men who were considered a menace to the civil society were eliminated, two with guns and another, Saddam Hussain, under the law of the land well twisted to get the desired result.

With the killing of Osama – bin - Laden, America and the world imagine the 10 - year war on terrorism has just ended. The horror of 9 / 11 that took more than 3,000 lives, perpetrated by Al - Qaeda of Osama – bin - Laden, by bringing down the twin-towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, has been avenged. The question, however, that stares us all, especially Indians and Russians is: Really? On the contrary Laden's “death” is likely to spawn a lot more terror violence.

Islamic extremism of the kind practised by Al - Qaeda and Osama – bin - Laden is going to be the trigger for violence across the Arab world and the Muslim world if what is happening in these countries is any indication. Presently we are witnessing a pro - democracy people’s uprising which is against both dictatorship (of a military general or a dynasty) and Islamic extremism. The question is: Will the people, the majority moderate Muslims who are now participating in the popular uprising against the incumbent governments, succeed in bringing democracy to their respective countries? Chances are far, far remote. Mubarak is gone, but who is there in his place? In Tunisia too the desired change is not happening. In Libya, Gaddafi, who told the world "my people love me" is busy killing his own people. Mubarak of Egypt seems to be more kind and compassionate towards his people. Not Gaddafi. Democracy is eluding the Muslim world and it seems for all time to come…

To revert to Osama – bin - Laden, the Pakistan angle to the intelligence gathering, planning, execution of the plan and the final killing of bin - Laden seems somewhat nebulous. Pak is beating its breast saying they are the worse victims of Al - Qaeda terrorism because in the last 10 years (after 9 / 11) over 34,000 Pakistani Muslims had died of terror attacks as against 3,000 plus in America on 11. 09. 2001. And Osama’s death will only increase the terror attacks. Pakistan has unabashedly said it did not have the foggiest idea about Bin - Laden being in Pakistan for the last six years in his well fortified one million dollar house. Joke of a rogue country. However, the statement of the Taliban is a bigger joke — it says it was surprised that Osama – bin - Laden was alive!

It is now said that the only justification for Americans to be in Afghanistan has been its mission to hunt - down its enemy No. 1 and avenge 9 / 11. From now on US is unlikely to be the part of Afghanistan’s problems as it may soon withdraw its forces. However, it will be a problem for Pakistan, with Taliban breathing down its neck.

It is difficult to divine why Pakistan was hiding Osama in its territory (no matter it may deny knowledge) while at the same time taking money from the US! Was Pakistan blackmailing US? By hiding Osama under its nose, was Pakistan appeasing the Muslim extremists and Taliban? If this was the reason, then Pakistan is simply being naive looking at the frequent, unabated terrorist attacks that were and are taking place in the country. Why then was Pakistan so protective of Osama – bin - Laden? The world must get an answer for this secret wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma, so to say. Only then the different countries of the world, could plan their future strategy to tackle the problem of terrorism of the Muslim kind.

True, one argument is that it is ridiculous to believe that Pak will protect one who was fighting Pak State through terrorism. However, in the given scenario this again cannot hold water simply because Pak itself is a nursery of terrorism, thanks to the Pak ISI — Inter Service Intelligence. Which is why America did not trust Pakistan and take Pakistan into confidence in its operation against Osama – bin - Laden and went ahead violating the sovereignty of Pakistan. This, despite knowing that henceforth, for America, the relationship with Pakistan will be complicated.

Of course, America’s foreign policy has always been dictated by rational selfishness or call it enlightened self interest. Which is why America supports dictators, kings, sheikhs and autocratic rulers – to promote its economic, political and military interests.

And in getting rid of Osama – bin - Laden, who has also been a thorn in the flesh of the rulers of the Arab and Muslim world, America might get the goodwill and opinion of the Arab - Muslim world on its side. This may also help the on-going popular uprising in West - Asia (Muslim world) in getting US support.

As for violent repercussions from the Muslim extremists following the killing of Bin - Laden, feared by Pak Government, it is safe to realise that Osama was already a spent force and had become a liability to Al - Qaeda itself, according to political observers. Naturally, this is an opportunity for US for a safe exit from Afghanistan. However, the terror threat against America and Americans is bound to continue from this area – Afghanistan and Pakistan for obvious reasons.

Hence, according to political pundits, it is wise for Americans to meet the Taliban and ISI leadership, hold talks, continue to hold talks until a final solution is found for ending terrorism against humanity, India included.

By the way, was there a failure of intelligence on the part of Pakistan (ISI) which did not know the American operation against Osama – bin - Laden? Yes, says Pak spokesperson. If American (CIA) intelligence could fail regarding the presence of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in Iraq, giving America a reason (or was it an excuse?) to wage war, why not Pak intelligence fail? Both America and Pakistan seem to be masters in the art of rigmarole.

Be that as it may, the whole world loves the winner. This time America is the winner. We applaud and attribute many qualities to it as a superpower with fail - proof military capabilities. But then why don't we also remember America's Iran fiasco in November 1979 when it failed to rescue 66 Americans taken captive by Iranian militants from US Embassy in Tehran?

When America failed to negotiate a release, it attempted a military rescue operation, with a bombastic code name “Operation Eagle Claw”, which was a disaster.

A case of “failed mission”, not a “mission accomplished” as in Pakistan. Two American aircraft were destroyed and eight American servicemen died. As if this was not enough of a humiliation to America, Iran rubbed salt into the American wound by releasing the hostages under an Accord at the very moment Ronald Reagan had completed his inaugural address as US President after defeating Jimmy Carter in Jan. 1981.

This I recall not to belittle America's Pak operation on Bin - Laden, but to remind myself that after all the operation against Osma – bin - Laden took place in a friendly, client country not a hostile one like Iran. Did you get me Steve?

Further, America had vowed to get Osama bin Laden alive or dead “whatever it takes”. Yes, it took too long a period of 10 years, not quiet admirable, considering the havoc he caused during this period by way of death and destruction. Speed is indeed the secret of real success of a mission. A mission of this nature accomplished after 10 long years is to be appreciated, no doubt, but not necessarily to be applauded as the world is doing now.

In the land of the blind, one - eyed man is the King. America is King. Hail Obama!