Jonathan White, executive director of Grand Valley State University’s Homeland Defense Initiative, called the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden a symbolic victory. At a news conference at the Pew Grand Rapids Campus May 2, White said terrorism and Al-Qaida will continue to be a threat.
"The fight will go on," said White. "We will be attacked again. In fact, we have already stopped several attempted attacks on our country."
White said bin Laden's death was justified and U.S. forces exercised a "proper use of deadly force." He also said burying bin Laden at sea was the right decision. "If there was a burial (on land), the site would have become a shrine, a place for inspiration," he said.
White said while he "did a little dance" upon hearing the
news of bin Laden's death, education is the key to a better future.
"I strongly believe in the power of education," he said.
"It's the reason I remain at Grand Valley and teach, instead of
working in counterterrorism full time. Education and understanding is
our hope."
White was tapped by the federal government after the Sept. 11
attacks to travel the country briefing law enforcement officials on
international terrorism because of his extensive research and
expertise in counterterrorism, special warfare and intelligence
operations. White traveled to Pakistan, Turkey and Europe to train
police and security forces on counterterrorism and said he has been in
the area in Pakistan where bin Laden was found.
Jonathan White gave several media interviews; click on links below. Downloadable audio is also listed below.
Jonathan White said he is glad bin Laden was captured and killed but it is a symbolic victory (audio).
White said there are still terrorist plots being planned against the U.S. (audio)
White said U.S. forces exercised a proper use of deadly force (audio).
White said our greatest threats now come from Al-Qaida and the Arabian Peninsula (audio).
White said he continues to teach at Grand Valley because he believes in the power of education and understanding ... which is our hope in the fight against terrorism (audio).
