When the U.S. Navy SEAL team assaulted the compound of Osama bin Laden this week, the killing of the terrorist leader was seen around the world as a major success, a demonstration of the skill and planning by America's most elite forces.

Unfortunately, in recent history, most military and police special operations don't go as well.

From the 1972 massacre of the Israeli Olympic team in Munich to the snatching of Elian Gonzalez in 2000, we take a look at some of the more dramatic rescue attempts, hostage situations and covert actions that were successful, and those that ended in tragedy.

Here are 18 18 famous and infamous missions ever: