by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright February 12, 2003
All Rights Reserved.

n the eve of possible military intervention in Iraq, the world's most notorious terrorist broke his silence on Qatar's Al Jazeera TV, calling for suicide attacks against American targets. Rising from the dead, the millionaire Saudi outlaw asked his Islamic brothers to fight "in cities and streets," inflicting maximum casualties on U.S. citizens. In a 16-minute diatribe, Bin Laden reflected on surviving the December 2001 bombing of Tora Bora, expressing solidarity and telling Iraqis how to withstand a U.S. onslaught. With Russia, France and Germany causing chaos in NATO, Bin Laden displayed his keen instincts for disunity and chaos. While difficult to authenticate, the tape repeats Bin Laden's rants after Sept. 11., calling for Muslims everywhere to join his jihad against "crusaders and infidels." Whether the tape's real or fake or whether Bin Laden's alive or dead, doesn't change his message of hatred toward the West.

     Seizing the moment, the White House interpreted Bin Laden's latest warning as further proof of an Iraq-Al Qaeda connection, though dissenting allies remain skeptical. "That kind of puts into place the question of the relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda," said an unnamed senior counter-terrorism official, hoping to galvanize more support in the U.N. Security Council. "I don't see this as expressed support for the regime," said terrorism authority Brian Jenkins with the Rand Corp. think tank, not convinced of Bin Laden's link to Iraq. Middle East experts see more divisions between Al Qaeda and Iraq, citing Saddam's secular ways. Showing clever political instincts, Bin Laden found much common ground with Saddam's hatred toward the U.S. Whether that stretches to collaboration with Iraq is anyone's guess. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell stunned the Senate Budget Committee with his presage of Bin Laden's latest message.

     Throwing FBI Director Robert S. Mueller and CIA Director George J. Tenet for a loop, Bin Laden's litany ratchets up domestic anxieties anticipating renewed terrorism on American soil. Tenet warned that Al Qaeda "refined new means of attack, including surface-to-air missiles, poisons and air, surface and underwater methods to attack maritime targets." Following the recent terror alert warning, Bin Laden's threat puts Americans on pins and needles, having no way to plan or guard against future terror attacks. "The bottom line here," said Tenet, "is that Al Qaeda is living in the expectation of resuming the offensive." While everyone's on edge, there's no evidence that Al Qaeda still has the command capacity to carry out complex terrorist missions. No one really knows for sure whether Bin Laden's dead or alive. Though the government remains skeptical, most experts believe the recent tape is real.

     For those familiar with Bin Laden's past communiqués, the recently released audiotape appears authentic. Few clerics have Bin Laden's uncanny gift of highly persuasive propaganda, frequently casting today's struggle in the historical context of ancient battles with Islam. "To occupy the former capital of Islam [referring to Baghdad] and to rob the wealth of Muslims and to appoint over you a [puppet] government that follows Washington and Tel Aviv, like all other treacherous and spy Arab governments," said Bin Laden in a cleverly worded statement, pitting all Muslims against America and Israel. Only Bin Laden articulates the radical Islam's struggle against the West, asking Muslims to rebel against colonial "slave owners." "Break free from the slavery of these regimes who are slaves of America," said Bin Laden, inviting Muslims to preserve their dignity by attacking the West.

     Anticipating the loss of Iraq, Bin Laden seeks maximum propaganda advantage in what he sees—like in Afghanistan—as a long twilight struggle to reclaim the Islamic homeland. Some cynics see Bin Laden's latest move as a way of getting rid of Saddam Hussein, a decadent secular dictator equated with past communist despots. Others see his public remarks as veiled intimidation, manipulating the U.N. and antiwar movement into thinking that the U.S. seeks to plunder Iraq's riches. In Bin Laden's world only the Moujahedeen [holy warriors] have the spine—and Allah's blessing—to defeat "crusaders and infidels" defiling Islam. He doesn't talk about his narco-trafficking and harems while Al Qaeda essentially ruled the Taliban and plundered Afghanistan. No, Bin Laden cleverly exploits the masses, promising salvation should they swear allegiance and join his mindless legion of suicidal automatons, calling them "martyrs."

     Bin Laden's latest diatribe proves that the sheik monitors world events very carefully, despite living like a gofer. For those doubting the tape's authenticity, they should look no further than recent assassinations or nightclub bombing in Bali. After deceiving U.N. inspectors since Nov. 27, it should come as little surprise that France and Germany can't look beyond their own self-interest in Baghdad—appeasing a dangerous madman that threatens global security. Few people doubt that Al Qaeda operates in Baghdad, as it does in many capitals around the world. Bin Laden seizes the chance to draw the U.S. into a bloody conflict, winning the propaganda battle with the West and radical Islam. War enables Bin Laden to galvanize his brainless followers to wage jihad for his evil purposes. Jihad keeps fresh recruits flowing into Bin Laden's killing machine, keeping the civilized world in chaos.

About the Author

John M. Curtis edits OnlineColumnist.com, writing politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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