For all practical purposes, and despite the fact that he was a mass-murdering religious fanatic (religious fanatics are always the worst. Hipster come in at a close #2 and conservative republicans round out the Top 3), Osama Bin Laden was helpfull to the United States. As long as he was out there, it was very easy to justify being at war. He represented some token, almost like a golden nugget, for the military, and the government, to look for.

No doubt his assasination is significant: it provides some sort of closure or sense of justice for millions of Americans. It is going to weaken Al-Qaeda over time. But it also brings forth the possibility of severe retaliation and revenge from radical elements, and these should not be underestimated. Attacks are likely to be concentrated against American targets, though intel shows that several western European nations are also possible destinations for destruction.

Bin Laden is dead

What can be said?