Terrorism Prevention: Operation Geronimo

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In May 2011, President Barack Obama authorized a secret operation code named “Operation Geronimo. Navy Seals breached a safe house in Pakistan during this operation and killed Osama Bin Laden. The operation was considered a success as the objectives of stopping Bin Laden’s operation had been achieved. Questions, however, arose on the legality of the killing, with some saying that the operation and subsequent killing were not justified. However, the operation was necessary to stop a vital component of a global terror network.

To establish whether Barack Obama had the legal mandate to sanction the operation, it is crucial to establish the role of the president in the matter of protecting U.S. citizens. The president should protect American citizens, and in sanctioning operation Geronimo, the president was acting to protect the American people. Congress had also authorized the president to use force against Al Qaeda, which had attacked the U.S. on September 11, 2001 (Marks, 2018).

The protocol was observed when the United States sought authorization from the United Nations, and permission was granted under articles 41 and 42 to guarantee peace and security (United Nations, 2021). This meant that the operation was also sanctioned under international laws, and the measures had been deemed necessary to ensure international security. Therefore, the operation was a legal undertaking under international law and had not broken any treaties or conventions.

Intelligence briefings had been vital in this operation, and there was sufficient evidence to show that the wanted terrorist was in the compound (Marks, 2018). There was also sufficient evidence to show that the operation would be successful with minimal casualties, therefore not putting the lives of soldiers in unnecessary danger.

In conclusion, the operation was a necessary undertaking in ensuring international peace and security. The president also had sufficient legal authority in sanctioning the operation to ensure the protection of his country and its citizens.