Bin Laden Alive and Well

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright November 19, 2008
All Rights Reserved.                    

        Sending an early Thanksgiving greeting to President-elect Barack Obama, al-Qaida’s No. 2 man Ayman al-Zawahri spewed more vile propaganda calling the 47-year-old Harvard Law graduate “house Negroes,” along with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.  Al-Zawahri praised Malcom-X, the 1960s radical Muslim preacher, gunned down Feb.21, 1965 in New York City.  Al-Zawahri’s hateful message underscores that the war on terrorists responsible for Sept. 11 rages on.  Zawahri’s 12-minute message appeared on militant Web sites, proving al-Qaida’s communication wing continues to get out its message.  Bin Laden and al-Zawahri’s are believed hiding in the ungoverned mountainous tribal lands somewhere between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both al-Zawahri and Bin Laden manage to get out their message to Islamic radicals.

            Responding to predator drone attacks, al-Zawhri couldn’t stop himself from responding to Obama’s Nov. 4 election.  His message tells Islamic holy warriors that the new American president serves the slave interests of white masters, representing no real change in U.S. policy.  Al-Zawahri, without naming names, wasn’t too happy about Barack naming U.S.-born Jewish Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, whose parents are Israeli.  Bin Laden and Al-Zawahri rail against Zionism, especially the state of Israel believed occupying Palestinian lands.  Like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Bin Landen and Zawahri hijack the Palestinian cause to rally Islamic radicals against a common enemy. On the 30th anniversary of Jonestown mass murders, they display the same cult-like manipulation of followers asked to commit suicide as proof of loyalty for the cause.

            Just last week, CIA Director Michael Hayden claimed that Bin Laden was spending a lot of energy on his own security.  Hayden claimed that the U.S. disrupted another Sept. 11-type attack, referring to a thwarted 2006 liquid bomb attack originating in the U.K.  Hayden, a former four-star Air Force General, was appointed CIA Director by President George W. Bush in 2006.  Without admitting CIA involvement, Hayden praised the effort to go after Bin Laden.  “America and its friends have take the fight to the enemy,” alluding to joint ventures with Pakistan to take out Bin Laden and his top lieutenants.  With Obama taking office Jan. 20, 2009, it’s unlikely Hayden will continue as CIA director.  Obama campaigned on Bush’s failure to get Bin Laden during his eight years in office.  Hayden acknowledges, without showing proof, that Bin Laden still commands al-Qaida.

            Zawahri’s recent message belies Hayden’s appraisal that Bin Laden no longer presents the same threat hiding out somewhere in the rugged border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.  “Al-Qaida has suffered serious setbacks, but is a determined, adaptive enemy unlike any our nation has ever faced,:” said Hayden, ignoring the ongoing communiqués, leaving Bin Laden and Zawahri still in control of their terrorist message.  Zawahri’s latest rant shows that he’s preserved his operational role as propaganda master, generating more interest and attracting new recruits.  “The truth is, we simply don’t know what would happen if Bin Laden is killed or captured, but I’m willing to bet that it would work in our favor,” said Hayden explaining the obvious.  Capturing or killing Bin Laden or Zawahri would land a heavy blow to the organization still with prestige among Islamic radicals

            Zawahri and Bin Laden continue the pernicious propaganda that the U.S. is at war with Islam.  Demonizing the U.S. helps al-Qaida recruit an endless stream of suicide bombers brainwashed to believe paradise awaits acts of martyrdom   “America has put on a new face, but its hear full of hate, mind drowning in greed, and spirit which spreads evil, murder, repression and despotism continue to be the same as always,” Zawahri quoted Bin Laden as saying in his 12 minute rant.  More destructive than roadside bombs or suicide vests, Zawahri’s propaganda spreads the lies and falsehoods needed to perpetuate al-Qaida’s recruitment.  “He appears to be largely isolated from the day-to-day operations o the organization he leads,” Hayden said recently of Bin Laden.  As long a Bin Laden and Zawahri own the airwaves, al-Qaida continues to menace the U.S. and its allies. 

            Seven years after Sept. 11, al-Qaida remains a menacing force against the free world.  Hayden continues the same White House’s excuses about how Bin Laden is no longer relevant, holed up in some Afghanistan cave.  U.S. Special Forces and CIA have failed to complete the mission, leaving Bin Laden a provocative threat to U.S. interests.  Hayden must follow other members of Bush’s national security team into retirement, having failed to get the job done.  Hayden and Defense Secretary Robert Gates are of the view that Iraq is the central front in the war on terror.  They continue to get it wrong and must now step aside to allow the new president to fulfill his pledge to get the terrorists responsible for Sept. 11.  No amount of excuses can deny Bin Laden and Zawahri’s roles as propagandists-in-chief.  Obama must end the Iraq War and refocus U.S. efforts back to Bin Laden.

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

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