The USA, as the policeman of the world and guardian of democracy for all peace-loving people, has done it again. The administration of President Joe Biden gained a major victory not just with Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan but also with the killing in Afghanistan of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri last Sunday. This major accomplishment drew praise from all peace-loving countries. It will help the Democrats in the coming elections.
The US government announced that Al-Zawahiri, an ally of Osama Bin Laden, was the mastermind of the September 11 attacks and was hunted by American operatives for 21 years since September 11, 2001. Zawahiri reportedly took over command of Al Qaeda after the death of Bin Laden. This is good news for the Democratic Party which is facing a serious challenge in the upcoming midterm elections. The Biden administration has been blamed by Republicans for untimely withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan, paving the way for the Taliban to seize power. But this killing has turned around the many setbacks suffered by the Democrats.
Al-Zawahiri was killed by the CIA in an early morning drone attack in Kabul. President Biden, in addressing the American nation, announced that he authorized the strike and that Al-Zawahiri has been neutralized. The CIA has been operating in Kabul based on many intelligence reports that Al-Zawahiri was just there, constantly changing his location. But with the help of local informers and other assets, the operation was executed with great precision. President Biden said: "Now, justice has been delivered and this terrorist is no more. No matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and will take you out.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter that the death of Al-Zawahiri is a step toward a safer world. Former president Barack Obama also said: "Tonight's news is also proof that it is possible to root out terrorism without being at war in Afghanistan. And I hope it provides a small measure of peace to the 9/11 families and everyone else who have suffered at the hands of Al-Qaeda." The Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia also declared that the slain terrorist was the one who planned the terrorist attacks in the USA and in Saudi Arabia. Similar messages from other world leaders were conveyed to Washington.
Under the Obama administration, Bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on May 2, 2011, ten years after the 9/11 attacks. The killing was done by US Navy seals. It was also on October 20, 2011 when Muammar Kahadafi, the deposed leader of Libya was captured and killed after the Battle of Sirte. It was reported that the US had a hand in the killing of Kahadafi but it was never confirmed. But the common belief was that he was eliminated by the forces of the National Transitional Council which overthrew Khadafi's government.
All these indicate that the USA always stands on the side of democracy and freedom. America stands with Ukraine, with Taiwan, with South Korea, and hopefully with the Philippines against the bullying tactics of China. America stands with NATO against the aggressive adventurism of Vladimir Putin. America has imposed many sanctions against North Korea due to Kim Jong-Un's excesses. The gravest mistake of the Duterte administration was to warm up to China's Xi Jinping and antagonize Washington, both Trump and Biden.
This administration of President BBM knows better than to play with fire with Beijing. America has its own defects and imperfections, but it is still our best ally. Neither China nor Russia can ever guarantee us justice and peace in the Asia Pacific region. The worst of America is still better than the best of China.