Since we are all experts today, here's my opinion ...
We've now made OBL a martyr and a new leader will hop into his shoes immediately, with an enhanced mandate to kick some western butt.
We could pick him off too ... but, then the cycle would just continue ad infinitum ...
OR, we could learn from organisations like CASA, ASA and the RAA ... and encourage in-fighting, instability and ineptitude. With the eventual aim of AQ gradually imploding.
Haven't the Yanks shown themselves to be good at manipulating foreign powers from within? I'm sure they could covertly and successfully support an inept usurper within the AQ ranks.
Shouldn't their efforts be better spent where they are more likely to succeed at "curing the problem" .. not just some of the symptoms.
Just workshoping out loud ....