by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright June 4, 2009
All Rights Reserved.

             Before President Barack Obma landed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the start of his Muslim reconciliation tour, Osama bin Laden released a new audiotape warning the West of retaliation for Pakistan’s crackdown in the Swat Valley.  Bin Laden’s clever propaganda diverts attention away from the Pakistani government led by Asif Ali Zardari, who finally figured out the Taliban’s goal.  Zardari tried to cede territory in the Swat Valley to the Taliban for strict Sharia law, only to find out the Taliban’s real objective was overthrowing Zardari’s regime.  Zardari gave Pakistan’s Taliban the benefit of the doubt before realizing the madness of ceding one inch of territory.  Obama is due to address Egypt’s parliament June 4, offering an olive branch to the world’s Muslim community.  Bin Laden has made a steady diet of fanning hatred against the West, especially the U.S.

            Bin Laden’s continued propaganda presence on the world stage dispels any rumors that the 52-year-old multimillionaire terrorist is either dead of disabled, busy commanding his al-Qaida network with his Egyptian-born doctor and partner Ayman al-Zawahiri.  Obama’s shift from Iraq to unfinished business in Afghanistan shows more serious commitment to find and terminate al-Qaida’s command –and-control.  As long a Bin Laden and al-Zawahiri have access to the airwaves, they command the respect of untold millions of Islamic extremists.  Accusing Obama of sowing “new seeds of hatred against America,” Bin Laden blames the U.S. for the Taliban crackdown in the Swat Valley.  Bin Laden doesn’t want moderate Muslims to listen to Barack’s peace overtures, fearing that he’s no longer relevant.  Obama wants Muslims to know they have a friend in the White House. 

            Pakistan has boasted of great progress fighting the Taliban in the Swat Valley.  Zardari seeks billions in U.S. aid now contingent on cracking down in the Swat Valley and lawless Waziristan region where Bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar are rumored hiding.  “For the time being, Pakistan has an unwieldy problem on their hands, something that will not go away anytime soon,” said Cato Institute foreign policy analyst Marlou Innocent, noting the Taliban’s attempt to undermine the Zardari government.  “The al-Qaida-Taliban linkage is destabilizing both [Afghanistan and Pakistan].”  Since Sept. 11, nearly eight years have passed allowing Bin Laden to reconstitute his network and spew more pernicious propaganda.  Only a coordinated effort with Zardari’s government can succeed at flushing out remnants of al-Qaida and the Taliban.

            White House officials haven’t assessed the extent of a new military push in Afghanistan.  Taliban insurgents continue to destabilize Hamid Karzai’s government, confining the regime to Kabul.  Karzai wants the U.S. to commit more troops to an uncertain mission of wresting control of Afghanistan from the Taliban and various warlords loyal to the Taliban and powerful opium farmers.  Estimates of how many troop and how much money are staggering at a time of recession and growing budget deficits.  Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke warned today about the harmful effects of budget deficits on long-term economic recovery.  He urged policy-makers to begin balancing economic stimulus against continued budget deficits.  Escalating the Afghan War could reverse whatever gains realized from ending the Iraq War.  Working with Zardari’s military could yield the best results.

            Afghanistan and Pakistan pose different problems dealing with the Taliban.  Karzai seems to have more clout trying to sway fringe Taliban elements into collaborating with his government.  Pakistan’s Taliban seem more closely tied to al-Qaida.  Obama wants to apply the same strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan as Iraq, where the military worked toward turning insurgent groups away from al-Qaida.  “The idea that strategically and directionally you’re going to peel off merger parts of the Taliban and al-Qaida, I don’t think that’s realistic at all,” said Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee.  Hoekstra believes you try relationship-building but carry a big stick to go after the Taliban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Coordinating efforts with Karzai and Zardari are likely to yield the best outcome.

            Bin Laden continues a relentless propaganda campaign from his suspected hideout somewhere along the Afghan-Pakistan border.  U.S. authorities haven’t put enough pressure on the renegade Saudi-born terrorist, leaving his followers the impression he can speak with impunity.  “I don’t think it’s surprising that al-Qaida would shift attention from the president’s historic efforts, and continued efforts to have an open dialogue with the Muslim world,” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.  Gibbs highlights how Bin Laden still calls the shots, commanding an influential propaganda role in his war with the West.  Bin Laden’s latest message blames the U.S. for forcing Pakistan to crack down on Taliban in the Swat Valley.  Continuing to show up on the airwaves, Bin Laden proves to the Muslim world that he’s still relevant.  Obama must do more than give good speeches.

About the Author

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

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