[xzins]

Die Welt isn't an insignificant German periodical. It might be a human interest type rag rather than a news rag, though.

If bin Laden's captured, then the issue is who and where? We might never see him or get a hand on him.

My guess would be Pakistan. But, if it's Iran,then give it up. We're not getting him.

[Former Proud Canadian]

This is becoming very interesting and a few points come to mind.

First off, IF he is in custody, any state would release him to the US. No one in the middle east, not even Iran, wants to protect this guy. It is simply not worth the cost, which could be all out war with the USA.

That said, there is great profit in not admitting that he is captured. Pump him for information, he will probably sing like a bird. It might be possible to roll up his entire network. They might hold him for a month before admitting it.

Lastly, there is no absolutely no advantage to admitting this right now. In the case of Sadam, it was important to trumpet his arrest as soon as it was confirmed. In this guy's case there is no political, strategic, or tactical advantage to be gained.

If the speculation ramps up on the usual sources: Isreali/Indian/European media, Debka, other "intelliegence" websites, it just might be true.

I guess 90/10 he is alive, 40/60 he is in custody as we speculate.

[lorrainer]

Die Welt isn't an insignificant German periodical.

Der Spiegel wasn't insignificant, either. Now, if they find his diaries....

[Kaslin]

Die Welt isn't an insignificant German periodical. It might be a human interest type rag rather than a news rag, though.

Die Welt is a very reputable newspaper. I guess you could compare it to the Wallstreet Journal

[philosofy123]

Why do you get weak in the knees when Iran comes in the picture? The US is more than capable of defanging these raghead mullahs. This question always puzzles me as why the militant right wingers in the US prefer to bend over every time Iran or Saudi Arabia does the evil work of radical Islam. If we are really the world only super-power, then we must act like one. Granted Saudi Arabia is the seat of Islam, and would require a sensitive way to approach it without igniting the rage of the billion Moslems, but it is doable if we explained it rationally to the world. IN WORLD FORUM!