The consensus of opinion is that Osama bin Ladin is "probably" dead, else why in some two and half years has not one videotape that could be authenicated showing him still alive been produced? We saw literally HOURS of bin Ladin in conference with his lieutenants shortly after 9-11-01, but after about December or so, these tapes ceased to be produced. Everything made available since then seemed to be replays of old stock footage.
But by maintaining the myth that he was still alive and giving orders, the public's minds were focused on a face, an individual, to direct their concern at. This worked both for al-Qaeda, to demonstrate his seeming invincibility, and the coalition forces, to muster conscientious prosecution of the campaign to eliminate his organization.
We need him as the "Boogeyman", puts a face on the enemy.
My knowledge of Latin American history is rusty. Does anyone recall how reports of Che Guevarra's death were handled? He achieved cult status--the James Dean of Marxism.
I experience revulsion everytime I see a woman on my commute to work who has the infamous chromatic Che portrait on the outside tire cover of her SUV. (Complete with a red star.) There is a message in Spanish that says something like, "What is the value of one man when the future of humanity is in jeopardy?" (My interpretation is, To make a socialist workers' paradise omelet, you've got to break a few eggs.)