Deconstructing Bin Laden's Talking Points

Front Page Magazine ^ | 01 february 2006 | Victor Davis Hanson

[unionblue83]

We don't know whether the latest and much-discussed Osama bin Laden tape was recorded recently. But the harangue is still a valuable reflection of the current Al Qaeda hierarchy that broadcast it to the world.

First, things must be going very badly for the terrorists to propose a cease-fire: "We don't mind offering you a long-term truce."

In truth, the winning side does not ask for a reprieve. Losing autocrats--whether the officers of the German army in the summer of 1918 or Hitler's cadre in the spring of 1945--always "don't mind" sending out peace feelers in the 11th hour to salvage their power before they lose it for good.

[Kenton]

First, things must be going very badly for the terrorists to propose a cease-fire: "We don't mind offering you a long-term truce."

Let us never forget Saddam's first words when he was dragged out of the spider hole he was cowering in, "I am President Saddam Hussien and I am prepared to negotiate"...

[George Smiley]

I am a big fan of VDH, but a much funnier expository analysis of OBL's tape can be found here.

[repubzilla]

I hope the article is correct. But I still have this weird suspicion about this. I read an article awhile ago about terrorits killing large amounts of innocents or non-combatives. Al Qaeda has been trying to get religious ok for this for a while. An article about a year ago said they recieved it from a rogue cleric and they must, according to the Koran, give the enemy or the innocents a chance to convert or be submissive or whatever...the part that has stuck with me since the tape was released was the truce part or the "plea" to the people. Different translations have since come out. That may justify a nasty attack.

[Simo Hayha]

They got some cleric to say it is okay to use nukes to kill the infidel several years ago. As far as their tapes go, they also said, 'silence is our propaganda'. Seems they have something to say whenever they get tired of romping around on their hobby horse and there's a camcorder handy.

[Cindy]

ON THE NET...

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INTERPOL.int - INTERPOL MEDIA RELEASE: Lyon, France - "INTERPOL ISSUES RED NOTICE FOR AL QAEDA'S ABU MUSAB AL-ZARQAWI" (December 28, 2005) (Read More...)