The logic behind keeping OBL's death a secret has some facets worth examining. Most reasons given mention OBL's propaganda value - but was he really that popul

The logic behind keeping OBL's death a secret has some facets worth examining. Most reasons given mention OBL's propaganda value - but was he really that popular? Did he have t-shirts or something similar a la Che Guevara? Would stronger proof of his death have attracted more people to his cause? Could not mystique in the end prove stronger than martyrdom? At least a couple of religions describe the return of a prophet. Isn't it also possible to have very good reasons for either releasing photos of his death or not killing him? The kind of terrorist who might emulate OBL would probably prefer death on the battlefield to capture or execution. So it's not clear what kind of deterrent effect all the secrecy has delivered. I can however think of a few reasons to kill him quickly and release as few details as possible. Independent verification of anything might produce inconvenient facts, that would cast doubt on all other claims. A commenter said Pakistan does not act as a single entity, which is true, but neither does the US. So who knows what a debriefing might have revealed?