[Luis Gonzalez]

What bin Laden is trying to do, IMHO, is to establish that central organization, in the case of Islam, a Caliphate.

How would someone like Usama bin Laden do that?

Well, he could instigate a world-wide conflict between the west and Muslims in general to make it appear as if the west was at war with Islam, which would compel the adherents to defend their religion.

Sound familiar?

The most effective way to combat Islamic fundamentalist terrorism is to separate it from the religion, and marginalize it.

[Stratman]

I agree to a certain extent.

With OBL, I think there are several factors at work. From a psych perspective, I would bet the father son relationship didn't exist, leaving OBL to try and get his father's attention. This would also explain his zealotry -- zealots typically are trying to fill a void missing from childhood (usually no parents, emotional neglect etc...).

In addition, I would also bet OBL somehow feels betrayed in some way that the US didn't put him in power in Afghanistan after OBL's aid during the Russian occupation.

Did I mention I read allot of psychology? I'm not sure he wants to create a muslim central structure as much as he wants power and Islam is a way to achieve that power.