Picture of dead Osama bin Laden could embolden radicals

This frame grab from the Saudi-owned television network MBC (Middle East Broadcasting Center) shows Osama bin Laden sitting between his Egyptian lieutenant Ayman al-Zawahri (L) and Suleiman Abu Ghaith, the spokesman of his al Qaeda network, in an undated videotape broadcast on April 17, 2002.

/ Getty Images

Last updated: 3:15 pm ET

The United States is in a tough spot when it comes to producing evidence of Osama bin Laden's death. The government claims that it has positively identified bin Laden through DNA analysis and facial recognition. But, there will be a clamor in some corners for pictures of the body. Pictures of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the former head of al Qaeda in Iraq, were released after he was killed, as were the pictures of the two sons of Saddam Hussein after their deaths at the hands of U.S. troops.

Complete coverage: The Death of Osama bin Laden

But, bin Laden's case is touchier. The U.S. government doesn't want to do anything to enhance the now former al Qaeda leader's mythological standing in the radical Islamic world. His death picture would become instant fodder for radical Jihadist websites and undoubtedly a recruiting tool.

The White House has to weigh the relative value of answering its skeptics versus the cost of emboldening its enemies. There is a school of thought that says it may be better if bin Laden just fades away. He is already a martyr to his followers, but the U.S. is not interested in adding to his legend.

During a press conference on Monday, White House Counter Terrorism Chief John Brennan was asked about releasing photos of bin Laden to show the world he is dead. He acknowledged that there is some debate among officials regarding releasing visual evidence of bin Laden's demise.

"We are going to do everything we can to make sure that nobody has any basis to try to deny that we got Osama bin Laden. And so, therefore, the releasing of information and whether that includes photographs, this is something to be determined," he said.

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Bob Orr is the Justice and Homeland Security correspondent for CBS News

[Unsilent_Majority]

Embolden the radicals? What are they going to do, crash a plane into a building? Please...they are already emboldend. Thats probably why they call them radicals.

[maccount]

Why not show a picture of dead Osama bin Laden? When 9/11 happened, did they not watch it on TV and laughed/smiled about it?

I'm not too sure if Osama bin Laden is really dead! I find it funny they threw his body into the sea - no pictures??? Maybe he was captured alive and hidden in US for fear people would get out of control knowing this!Too many things hidden from the public! He was killed and burried tooooo quickly - what are they hiding? They just told us what we wanted to hear! I think the public wants proof of his death for what he did!

Even if he was dead (which I don't believe), Osama bin Laden wasn't stupid (not to give him credit, but I be liing if I said he was stupid) - you don't think he might have trained someone else just like himself to continue with his legacy? You don't think Osama bin Laden knew one day all this would come to an end? You don't think he prepared for this day? We must not drop our guard because we think Osama bin Laden is dead! This was an evil man without remorse for the lifes that were taken in our country - we need to keep focuse all around us so that something like the 9/11 does not ever happen again! God bless America!!!

[indycar00]

as with saddam hussane they could have got him alive. wht didnt they?

[all4science]

I don't think people in general are evil and celebrating w/o a cause. This guy shed innocent blood, and not until you've lost a love one, or even your entire family, you'd appreciate such justice. God is good!

[Elisabeast]

I think a lot of us need proof. Many of us don't necessarily believe what were told and perhaps for the victims and families of 911 it's most important to put some closure on this for them.

[Birdman04]

Bunch of sick puppies. If you want to see blood, guts and gore go tell your wife she has a big ass and your wish will come true.

[eiddam]

Bush didn't think bin Laden a radical until Laden refused to have the oil pipe line put in, and revenge comes to play when a Bush is denied anything, all the Bushes dictator patsies have found that out. They are many who looked liked Laden so wonder what poor soul was shot if any, since Laden was killed a while back by the CIA.Like Bush's Iraq lie some people will believe anything. Do research and find it was the CIA who formed the Al Qaeda. not Laden, and had the Taliban on the payroll.

[LtSmily]

It's a moot point. Only two options, he's dead and gone, or was given enough of whatever he wanted to stay quiet. Then we operated on his bad kidneys and setup him up next to Saddam drinking mojito's on the French Rivera without a beard and facial reconstruction surgery. Either way he won't be bugging us any longer. Regardless of what the President says, I do believe the Military, and if they say they got him, then they got him. Besides, imagine the ********* if he released another video 6 months from now that could be date verified. That would damage Obama's re-election chances, and he ain't about to let that happen.

[kno-1]

Show the photo. We as Americans need to see his face. We saw Saddam Hussein's dead body. We saw his cabinet's dead bodies. We can handle Osama's dead body.

We have gotten this far seeing our loved ones come home in coffins and body bags. If our soldiers can stand up for our ideals, we as US citizens, can do the same. I don't flinch when threatened. Especially when justice has been done.

[Bisk1]

I am almost sure that you read the article and if you'd missed it - scroll up and READ it again. Cheers !

[rwsmith29456]

At least from what I saw, I don't think Saddam had his head jerked off.

[Stevie851]

I wonder when the fight for his fortune will begin. He had many, many wives and children. Plus al-Qaida itself may claim part of the estate. This will be interesting!!!! Vultures circling the block for sure.