Reply #75: Self defense is a legitimate right under International law

[hack89]

now while some legal experts take a restrictive view of preemptive attacks while others are more expansive, the concept of preemptively attacking groups and individuals planning attacks on you is certainly allowed under international law. Let's not forget that Pakistan had an obligation under international law not not harbor groups that are waging war on us.

OBL was living next to the Pakistani military academy in a army garrison town - it takes some extra-ordinary mental gymnastics to not consider that just maybe OBL was being helped and protected by the army or ISI. It shouldn't take much further thought to realize why asking the Pakistanis for help would not be wise.

A failed state is one with no functioning government - like Somalia, parts of Yemen, the tribal areas of Pakistan. There is no government there - not hard concept to understand.

There is no evidence that OBL was captured before being killed. If it did happen then it would be a crime. However, the SEALs are not obliged by the laws of war to provide him an opportunity to surrender - which is what I think what happened.