The Great Game

Let's say, just for the sake of argument, that Pakistan's ISI (or someone or some cabal within it) knew where OBL was hiding out. And let's say that the CIA, knowing that the ISI was playing a double game, inserted a source within the ISI to keep the CIA advised on what was going on within the pro-OBL faction. And let's say that the CIA learned from this source where OBL was probably hiding. But the ISI couldn't strike, because OBL would be tipped off by his ISI insiders. And the CIA couldn't strike either, because doing so would cause questions to be asked that would expose their source within the ISI.

What to do?

Well, a cover story involving an elaborate job of sleuthing and a CIA safe house in Abbottabad would explain how the CIA knew where OBL was, without threatening their source within the ISI.

OK, conspiracy mode OFF.