[Huebolt]

With all these theories, a good one might be that this is an obama RE-ELECTION ploy. Imagine this:

Everyone knew where OBL was, but they left him alone as it was easy to monitor him there and see who came and went, etc. That explains why Pakistan didn't out him.

Obama knew all this, but saw a bigger personal advantage in killing OBL and taking full credit for the decision himself, which HE DID!

The Paks knew that we knew and that we knew that they knew etc., so ergo, the HUGE SURPRISE when OBL is snuffed.

The Paks don't know whether they are afoot or on horseback. Neither do we...

[UniqueViews]

"Everyone knew where OBL was, but they left him alone as it was easy to monitor him there and see who came and went, etc. That explains why Pakistan didn't out him.

Obama knew all this, but saw a bigger personal advantage in killing OBL and taking full credit for the decision himself, which HE DID!"

BINGO! Best post of the month!

[khnyny]

I'd say that's probably a legitimate hypothesis. In my humble opinion, the CIA were keeping tabs on Osama to get further intel and see who/what connections popped up on the radar. Law enforcement and the FBI have conducted surveillance/sting operations like this for many, many years. You have to gather intelligence and see who is connected to the “Godfather” and follow those leads.

I don't think we will ever know the real story.