Omar: Desperate Bluff or Credible Threat?

STRATFOR ^ | 2130 GMT, 011115 | Staff

[SW6906]

"Sounds to me like their "big plan" is to pray like hell for Allah to come down and smite us for the Taliban. "

That's the way I read it too.

[He Rides A White Horse]

On the other hand though Axion, I wouldn't be surprised to see a major US city or two go up in smoke. Complete destruction of the US is another matter, however.

[kaylar]

To judge from OBL's statement, he actually thought that destroying the WTC would in and of itself be enough to destroy the US as an economic superpower, and possibly bring down the economy of the entire nonislamic west. Keep that in mind when reading Omar's threats. Whatever they have, they will grossly overestimate its power and potential for damage, while grossly underestimating the resilience of the US and its ability to retaliate.

[cajungirl]

Bluff.

[He Rides A White Horse]

"Sounds to me like their "big plan" is to pray like hell for Allah to come down and smite us for the Taliban. "

Or the big plan is self preservation. A big driving force as always.

Maybe he does have one or two. Maybe he thinks that by broadcasting such a fact that we will sue for peace.

Maybe he thinks we are stupid enough to trust him.

Perhaps he realizes that his last chance is to stop this, on what he thinks will be his terms.

[Dog Gone]

Hitler liked to play shuffleboard with non existent units too.

Yep, at the end of the war he was losing it. Insane people make lousy commanders. I was rather hoping that our significant kill of senior officials a day or so ago did NOT include him.

[Jefferson Adams]

I'd like to play pool with Omar's glass eye.

LOL!!! And use Osama's turban for cleaning the cat box.

[He Rides A White Horse]

Cajungirl, I wouldn't be surprised to discover that perhaps he has managed to find a few 'friends' willing to divert one or two to him.

Mind you, I don't believe for a second that this 'fact' should change our strategy.

If anything, it reinforces the notion that he and his Taliban pals (et al) should be destroyed as quickly as time permits.

This is not a time for weakness. It should also be broadcast that any nation participating in such a scheme will be rendered to dust as soon as such an attack is carried out.

[rstevens]

Omar: Desperate Bluff or Credible Threat?

I can answer that. Its the rantings of a raving lunatic. How many of his threats have become reality? He has a zero rating of being factual.

[He Rides A White Horse]

This is not a time for weakness.

Just so there is no mistake between us here, this comment was not directed at you.

It is more of a general comment.......sometimes we are given no choice. He doesn't care to leave us with any.

[He Rides A White Horse]

ping

[He Rides A White Horse]

Omar said the situation in Afghanistan "is related to a bigger cause -- that is the destruction of America" and warned "the plan is going ahead" and is being "implemented."

Perhaps his grandiose plans for the 'complete destruction of the US' are a bit overstated........however, one should not rule out him accomplishing his goal on a lesser scale.

[San Jacinto]

Such as Apu at the Quick-E Mart?

Abu:"Oh,verynice to seeyoutoday. May I offer you free sample of our new Slushie drink?"
Homer: Free? Sure.
Abu: "Here, not too fast now, you'll get the brain freeze."
Homer: "Gimmee that. sluuuuurppp....DOH!"

[Clinton's a rapist]

Why threaten? Why not just do it?

OBL can always hide. Omar is small potatoes, just a tool of OBL. Both are religious fanatics, and may have a death wish anyway. Saddam, on the other hand, has nowhere to hide, and seems to be interested in staying alive. Hence the anthrax threat. It's not complicated, once you factor in where each player fits in the puzzle.

[San Jacinto]

Omar: Desperate Bluff or Credible Threat?

Paula Poundstone: Whack-job or Mother of the Year?

[He Rides A White Horse]

Pingity bumpity

[Principled]

Yesterday he said it was time for the United States to begin negotiations with the Taliban.

THis bears repeating, Dog Gone.

Yesterday he said it was time for the United States to begin negotiations with the Taliban.

[clamper1797]

Whew! He almost got me.

Almost got me too ......

[He Rides A White Horse]

Come on down, Miss Annie.

[clamper1797]

while grossly underestimating the resilience of the US and its ability and reslove to retaliate.

He thought that all Americans were like Beelzebubba