I think OBL is heading for Karachi or Islamabad.
He will stay in Pakistan because it has nukes and medium range rockets, is unstable and ready to blow up like Iran in 79, and of course is closest to Afghanistan for covert travel ease. He wants to be seen as the Mahdi, (Moslem messiah, the next Prophet of Allah) and to do that he needs the adoring masses, and proof that he has humiliated and beaten the Great Satan (and the lackey sell-out government of Musharraf). His "miraculous" escape from under the Amriki bombers and his secret journey to Pakistan will "prove" that the Hand of Allah is protecting and guiding him...
Every day that OBL is loose, appearing like a Super Pope on balconies in front of 100s of thousands of adoring jihadists, his power and influence worldwide will soar like a moon rocket. He will have the 24/7 attention of the entire world media for his every pronouncement, and then he can "ascend" into heaven proving he is truly the Mahdi. Even if we drop a smart bomb on his balcony, he "ascends to heaven" and wins.
Travis, I think you're onto something…
Consider the effect on the pan-Islamic jihad if bin Laden is able to unleash a nuclear or bio attack on America while he is standing before a triumphant multitude in your balcony scenario.
I've been noticing strange peripheral developments regardind Pakistan for the past few weeks. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are bin Laden's big prizes. Nukes and Oil.
Consider:
Suspected terrorist arrested with bio-suit in Frankfurt
This man is identified in the article as being a Turk.
However, I just heard it reported by Michael Medved
that he is actually of Pakistani origin.
Kenyan Embassy bombers
had false Pakistani Papers
Pakistani linked to anthrax mailbox
Pakistani teen predicts
World Trade Center collapse in Brooklyn.
Pakistani nuclear scientist arrested
Pakistani Arrested in Sept. 11 Probe Found Dead in Cell
Pakistani guerrillas return with eight killed by U.S.
Taliban build base inside Pakistan
US Company in Pakistan hit by Anthrax
US copters in Pakistan fired on
Pakistanis Arrested In Mali
Full "Pakistan" search list…
I don't believe that the current Pakistani government is behind this. But clearly there is a well developed organization within Pakistan (where we know there is a strong al-Qaeda presence) that is very involved with the ongoing terrorist attacks on America.
All of this takes place after Pakistan's detonation of atomic bombs in 1997. You can bet that both bin Laden and Hussein want to get their hands on Pakistan's nuclear arsenal (as many as 40 weapons), the "Islamic Bombs." Methinks that these Pakistan links were will known to President Bush and Co. when we made it our first priority to bring Pakistan into the coalition after the attack of 9/11. The military government there is very shaky.
Again:
Consider the effect on the pan-Islamic jihad if bin Laden is able to unleash a nuclear or bio attack on America while he is standing before a triumphant multitude in your balcony scenario.
With the nukes, he can set off a demo on a ship at sea, or anywhere else. After the demo, world shipping trade will cease from the fear of a ship secreted Islamic nukes, or only continue on their terms.
Control of the oil needs no elaboration.
This is war! Bomb them and be done with it!