On Bin Laden Death Anniversary, a Polarized America Chooses To Forget
The 15th anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death passed with little public or political recognition in the United States, highlighting a shift from the national unity seen in 2011. Once a moment of collective triumph, the event now reflects deeper societal divisions over American identity and values. Media coverage was minimal, though some military figures involved in the raid commemorated it personally.
- ▪Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011 during Operation Neptune Spear, a Navy SEAL raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
- ▪The anniversary of bin Laden’s death received almost no recognition from U.S. political leaders or major media outlets in 2026.
- ▪Admiral William McCraven and Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, key figures in the operation, reflected on the mission in rare public interviews.
- ▪In 2011, bin Laden’s death sparked nationwide celebrations, including at universities, sports venues, and political gatherings.
- ▪Public reaction today is markedly different, with many Americans questioning traditional narratives of good and evil.
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...By Newsweek EditorsShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.In a year of historic anniversaries, one passed this weekend mostly without notice. America’s media and its political leaders had barely anything to say about Saturday’s 15th anniversary of Operation Neptune Spear, the heroic raid carried out by Navy SEALs to kill Osama bin Laden. Let’s concede that a 15th anniversary deserves less attention than the major milestones that lie ahead.
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