Fact Check: "Bin Laden's death operation was more secretive than Trump's Iran bombing."
What We Know
The claim compares the secrecy surrounding the operation that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011 to the military action taken by President Donald Trump against Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.
-
Bin Laden's Operation: The operation, known as Operation Neptune Spear, was conducted by U.S. Navy SEALs in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Official narratives state that it was a unilateral operation based on intelligence gathered over several years. However, journalist Seymour Hersh has alleged that the operation was not as secretive as portrayed and involved cooperation with Pakistani military intelligence. He claims that high-level Pakistani officials were aware of the operation and that it was a joint effort, contradicting the narrative of a purely American initiative.
-
Trump's Iran Bombing: The drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani was executed with minimal public disclosure prior to the action. The Trump administration justified the strike as a necessary preemptive measure against imminent threats posed by Soleimani. Reports indicate that the decision was made quickly, and the operation was characterized by a lack of extensive public debate or prior notification to Congress, which raised concerns about its legality and the potential for escalation in U.S.-Iran relations.
Analysis
The comparison between the two operations hinges on the definitions of "secrecy" and the context in which these military actions were conducted.
-
Secrecy of Bin Laden's Operation: While the U.S. government initially presented the bin Laden operation as a secretive, high-risk mission, Hersh's allegations suggest that it was not entirely clandestine. His claims, however, are contested, with officials from the Obama administration labeling them as inaccurate and baseless. The reliability of Hersh's sources has been questioned, as much of his narrative is based on unnamed intelligence officials, which raises concerns about the verifiability of his claims.
-
Secrecy of Trump's Iran Bombing: The operation against Soleimani was executed with a high degree of urgency and was characterized by a lack of transparency. The Trump administration did not provide detailed information to Congress or the public before the strike, leading to significant political backlash and discussions about the legality of the action. This suggests a different kind of secrecy, one that involves withholding information from legislative bodies and the public rather than from the targeted individuals or nations.
In conclusion, while both operations had elements of secrecy, the nature and implications of that secrecy differ significantly. The bin Laden operation was shrouded in a narrative of unilateral action, while the Soleimani strike was marked by a lack of transparency regarding the decision-making process.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "Bin Laden's death operation was more secretive than Trump's Iran bombing" is partially true. Both operations involved secrecy, but the contexts and implications of that secrecy differ. The bin Laden operation was portrayed as a unilateral action, though allegations suggest it was more collaborative than acknowledged. In contrast, the Soleimani strike was executed with minimal public and congressional oversight, indicating a different type of secrecy. Thus, the claim holds some truth but lacks nuance in its comparison.
