I noticed that most of the comments posted here don't have much to say

about the question of whether we should use this turn of events (the demise
of UBL) to 1) withdraw from the ME, 2) maintain the status quo, or 3) ramp
up our efforts against AlQaeda, for one, would like to throw my 2 cents
(adjusted for inflation) in for option 1 (along with some aspects of 3). Any
feedback is welcome.
Oddly I find myself aligned with the leadership of Iran on this one (what a
strange world). Here are my top 10 reasons. (some of these are closely
related).
1) There are thousands of young Islamic males coming of age each year,
eager to engage in jihad, and their target is us, the West, and of course
Israel.
2) There are large numbers of young unemployed Muslim males, who with
nothing better to do, and with limited opportunity for economic prosperity,
are very susceptible to being drawn in to jihad.
3) The culture promotes jihad, by indoctrinating their youth from day one
about the evil Jews, Israel, and their benefactor, the Great Satan, us.
4) Given the cultural nature of our conflict with Islamic states, (it is a war
between civilizations perhaps begun during the Crusades), it will take
generations before "hearts and minds" can be changed, if ever.
5) Out current goals have changed the objective in the region from the
military objective of "k.ill the enemy" to the political objective of "win hearts
and minds". The ROE support the latter, put our troops at unnecessary risk,
tends to prolong the conflict, and is ultimately un-winable.
6) Our initial operational phases in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan were over in
days, weeks, or at most a few months, during which time we took control of
the government in power. This is what our military does best. The
protracted operation of acting as police and engaging in nation building, is
not what we do well. It is very costly in terms of both the lives of our soldiers
and dollars.
7) When we move into an area in which AlQaeda is active, they can move
somewhere else (e.g. Pakistan, Yemen).
8) Our extended operations also put civilians at risk, which intensifies hatred
directed at us.
9) Our extended operations promote corruption, since the money we pour in
normally is grabbed up by local corrupt government officials, and since there
are probably no figures available for us to support that are not already
corrupt.
10) The cost of these wars is hurting us at home, further straining our fragile
economy, in a way that reminds us of the fall of the Roman empire.
I can see no advantage to maintaining the status quo. We should withdraw
and:
1) Retaliate against any attack directed against us
2) Reserve the right to take preemptive measures against any significant
threats against us
3) Continue to gather intelligence by multiple means
4) Limit any counter attacks to air forces where possible (including drones)
5) Utilize the diplomatic arena to resolve our differences and try to achieve
any common goals (if there are any). While such attempts are probably in
vain, there is little cost attached, and we should at least go thru the motions.