Mullah Mansour and the Taliban

This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute.

President Obama confirmed the liquidation over the weekend of Mullah Aktar Mansour.  Whenever Islamic supremacists like the leader of the Afghan Taliban are neutralized, it’s a good day for freedom.  But it remains to be seen if it will have any enduring benefit for the American forces he had been targeting, or the Afghans his group has brutalized for so long.

Unfortunately, Mr. Obama himself may have minimized any such benefits from this drone strike. Two years ago, he exchanged five top Taliban commanders detained at Gitmo for one American deserter. 

At the time, it was clear they would likely return to the fight. If so, their status as jihadist rock stars and experienced leaders may assure that one or more will help rally the Taliban – and undo whatever good might otherwise accrue from killing their erstwhile, and now-thankfully dispatched, mullah. 

This is Frank Gaffney.