That's why I think he's dead. In the example that I used, about the suicide bombers in the malls, can you imagine the economic impact on the U.S.?
At this point, the value of him issuing feasible threats and possibly being martyred is much greater than him continuing to hide. Nothing he did in Afghanistan vs. the Russians with the Arab Afghans leads me to believe he has any aversion to martyrdom.
Do you seriously believe the CIA disbanded units looking for AQ HVTs?
Oh, definitely not. I'm sure they're still looking for the HVTs, I just don't think they feel they need to dedicate resources directly toward OBL.
Owl_Eagle
“When the stock market crashed,
Franklin Roosevelt got on the television
and didn’t just talk about
the princes of greed, he said,
‘Look, here’s what happened.’"
-Slow Joe Biden
? - But the vast majority still do believe him to be alive? Your suggestion only makes sense if the world thought he was dead, they do not. Nor does the radical Muslim world / street. Him remaining alive is PR (x1000) for the radical Muslim street. Putting out messages that give away clues to his whereabouts only leads the odds to our favor of putting guns on him one dark night. AQ/Himself have wisely chosen a different route.
Staying alive has been UBLs sole concern since we put boots on the ground in Stan. Far above his need or wish for PR. Remaining alive is first and foremost.
I will just say again, you should try and see / read between the lines of those in positions to "know" regarding OSINT and the continued hunt for UBL.
And be thankful for those risking all in some of the most brutally rugged and dangerous places on earth looking to bring justice to this man. He lives just as several other long time sought after HVTs live.