Posted on 12/24/2004 2:03:05 AM PST by kattracks
CAIRO, Egypt -- Osama bin Laden appears to be trying to transform himself from terrorist to political leader, the conclusion reached by some Middle Eastern experts from watching recent messages attributed to the al-Qaida leader. But at least one of those experts questions whether bin Laden has anything to offer his followers beyond a call to arms, saying he does not have solutions to the economic and social issues facing young Muslims.
[snip]
While some analysts say al-Qaida has been forced to change course because it has been weakened and possibly shattered by a U.S. crackdown, others believe that any shifting by bin Laden is only temporary and tactical.
"His goal is to build an Islamic state and his means will remain holy war," said Saudi writer Mshari al-Thaydi, who has been monitoring Islamic radical groups for years. "He does not know any other means to make his point."
[snip]
Al-Thaydi said bin Laden's focus on Saudi Arabia in the recent message attributed to him showed that he intended to step up al-Qaida's terrorist activities in his homeland with the ultimate goal of toppling the monarchy and assuming power.
"Osama thinks if he takes over Saudi Arabia he can topple all other Islamic regimes," al-Thaydi said.
[snip]
"They can stir opposition but they cannot rule and be in power," he said, adding that if bin Laden were trying to present a new image, it was an acknowledgment of bankruptcy.
"Practically speaking, his enterprise has failed. He has nothing to offer Muslims but increasing their frustration. Young Muslims want meaningful things," he said.
For example, Muslims face issues of poverty, unemployment and greater rights for women.
"There is no endless holy war," al Sayed said. "Holy war must have a goal. So what is its goal now?"
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
let's see now, the destruction of Israel, a grand Muslim caliphate stretching from Spain and Morocco all the way to Indonesia and of course, death to all infidels. Can any 'jihadi' tell me if I'm anywhere near right?
Hey, Osama! An office on K St. before 9-11? Works for everyone else.
I like your rendition better than mine. (#5)
Works for me. Can I be the first in line?
A turd by any other name...
ROTFLMAO
Yeah he wants to truly become like Ra's Al Ghul, complete with Lazarus Pit: virtually immortal.
(Ra's Al Ghul from the comics on left; actor Ken Watanabe as Ra's Al Ghul (which literally translates as "The Death's Head" in next summer's "Batman Begins" on right)
Just damn.
If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...
So, he's pretty much Hitler.
Don't knock it! Thats how Arafat got promoted from blood thirsty terrorist to respected U.N. supported statesman!
No, Bin Laden is a coward like every other Islamic Fundamentalist on this planet.
The coward label is the image we need to keep using when dealing with these folks. (Of course, keep killing them as well) Convincing the world that these snakes are really cowards takes away any threatening power they might have.
"Holy war must have a goal. So what is its goal now?"
Since most of the middle east was christian before these butchers came along, why doesn't OBL have a goal of getting the @#$% out of the entire middle east and turning it over to christians???
Having Osama "morph" into something besides a terrorist would be a pretty good trick, considering that he's probably not alive. I haven't believed any of the audio or video tapes that have come out over the past three years. In the last credible one, dated December 2001, he looked awful, like they had to shove a broomstick up the back of his robe to keep him from falling over.
For that matter, if Osama didn't die in the aftermath of Tora Bora, we should be able to catch him, once we find the studio that's producing the tapes!
Get ready for a stomach churning blaspheme.
Bin Laden may mistakenigly beleive that the world will embrace another Arafat....
America will never let OBL get the chance. Dead or alive.
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