[INSENSITIVE GUY]

We would all be better off if these tapes were reported as "FAKES" so as to put doubt in the minds of terrorists as well as to make their situation seem hopeless.

[skr]

What's the point in announcing to the world that it's likely to be Bin Laden when it's not a sure thing? Why not a less positive statement, as in we can't be certain? Why give the bad guys even a miniscule of comfort or inspiration?

[DarthMaulrulesok]

Perhaps it would be useful to focus on what the tape says, never mind for the moment who recorded it. There are references to fighting crusaders in Iraq, that there needs to be more Jihad to "liberate the Islamic world from the crusaders" and the Arab states are traitors and not doing enough. ("...capture of their previous comrade in treachery"). It sounds, at a minimum, like al-qaida is on the defensive. And, why is there no direct reference (so far as I can tell) to the US? Bin-Laden (or whoever) seems more irritated at his brother muslims.

It sounds like his focus (this time) is on Iraq and Israel, two areas where a "flypaper strategy" of enticing and eliminating terrorists can work. Why not tell his followers to wage Jihad worldwide? Or start homicide bombings in the US? Surely, if say, 50 homicide bombers struck 50 shopping malls more or less at the same time, that would generate the fear al-qaida wants. (For a short time, anyway, then the revenge/retaliation would begin, but that is another topic altogether).

My point is, al-qaida in this tape sound very much on the strategic defensive with local goals rather than the previous one of creating the world wide caliphate. Why?

[Skwidd]

Funny how an alleged multimillionaire terrorist mastermind can't afford a videocamera.