Was the Hit on Bin Laden Illegal?

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

regarding the legality of exterminating OBL, the legal authority is granted by a 2001 Congressional resolution:
Obama's view, from a 2007 debate:
The legality of the action under international law:
so putting down OBL was justified under both US domestic and international law.

Under UN resolutions there was at least two problems: (1) violation of Pakistan´s sovereignty and (2) the actual killing of OBL if he wasn´t in position to react.

Against (1) one may argue that since was probable that Pakistan officials would warn Osama about US intentions the secrecy was justifiable, which seems very sensible.

To (2) one may argue OBL was in position to react, so use of force was necessary. Even if it wasn´t, who in his right state of mind would want to capture, trial and condemn Osama? Too risky and too costly, a bullet being a lot cheaper.