[demnomo]

...the Taliban are up to something.

I'm with you. Hopefully, we both are wrong. However, I wouldn't put it past a cornered dog to do something incredibly evil--especially if it means taking out Allied soldiers as well as all of those Afghans who were wildly celebrating the departure of the Taliban. An outfit like Al Q'eda (sp?) wouldn't think twice about ruining Afghanistan's environment with a dirty bomb. What does it care? The real fanatics are made up of Arabs, Chechens and Pakis who are heading into the "free areas" of Pakistan to await something. I don't like the feel of it. It's not like fanatics to give up so quickly and retreat, no matter how superior our airpower and NA troops appear to be. It's too easy.

[Go Gordon]

There's only one problem with your theory. Omar and Osama baited the US to bring on the ground troops. We didn't. If Osama uses the "dirty" bomb, all he'll get is a few of our SpecOps, the NA, and civilians. Moreover, without the US first using the "dirty" bomb, the rest of the world will be against Osama's dirty deed. The Talibums are not in a good position right now (understatement) and are looking at spending a very LONG winter in very unlavish accomodations.

[Deathmonger]

the Taliban are up to something

I am starting to be concerned that the Taliban withdrawal from the Afghan cities and indeed from any overt presence whatsoever in the south is not merely a change to guerilla tactics but a prelude to a large-scale NBC attack in the US.

If such an attack were to occur they would reasonably expect massive retaliation by the US, and the Taliban may think that by withdrawing they will spare the Afghan civilian population from feeling this wrath. Indeed the local leaders may have insisted upon this withdrawal for the civilians' sake. By spreading out and disappearing as best they can they hope that at least some of them will be able to survive as well.