Has Bush outfoxed bin Laden?

New Australian ^ | Thursday 27 September 2001 | James Henry

[kevkrom]

Our media stinks.

Don't forget the overwhelmingly leftist faculties at the U.S. universities attended by the terrorists.

[Paraclete]

Bush is following a masterful strategy. Much of the leverage that is being effectively applied now, could be next to impossible after military action. Plus, we must take the time to position our military forces so their plans can be executed as flawlessly as possible.

Importantly, prudence now is giving us a leg-up on the threat within the States. We must know what we're up against before the blows come.

[francisandbeans]

I agree with you. This administration has made two particularlly brilliant moves since September 11.

The first was the grounding of all flights. I don't think they saw that one coming.

The second, is the coalition. In a sense, they are using the coalition as an interrogation of the governments of other countries in order to get a read on them. This will serve us well in the future...even beyond the terrorist "smoke outs."

[steveegg]

I could've sworn that President Bush said that he'd turn them on each other. Sounds like that part is going to plan.

[Keith]

you are right, but not in the way that you think...if Jackass goes, it's the beginning of the end for him...Hanoi Jane, meet Kabul Jesse.

[Coop]

I agree with your cautionary note. I applaud the adminstration's foreign policy victories, but I'm concerned their military strikes (having taken so long) may be less than effective. But I'm also not privy to a lot of info, so I'm hopeful they know what they're doing and will seriously attempt to decapitate these terrorist organizations.

[sinkspur]

I am absolutely amazed at what the President and his team have accomplished without firing a shot to date.

Yep.

What will we have, three, four carrier battle groups in the Indian Ocean? They'll be there awhile.

An added benefit is to show China just how big and bad we are, to say nothing of how ugly we're going to be in three or four years.

[ClancyJ]

If Jackson goes, he will get over there and try his meddling and find out that he does not have the power to tell the U.S. to do anything. Bush has said no negotiations. Why does Jackson think that will change because he is there?

Looks like another Powell rebuke is going to happen. They will let him go, let him try and get America to negotiate and Bush will say "No negotiation". Where does that leave Jackson? The powerless meddler that he is. He will then cower home or they will take him hostage. Another ploy that Jesse would love because he would hope to rally all blacks to an outcry to negotiate to get Jackson back. However, it won't happen because this is war.

In fact, maybe Jackson is one of them - they won't allow any other Americans over there.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I believe there is much truth in this author's opinion. I was just telling my husband last night that I think the same mind set that makes bin Laden so radical also makes him unaware of how some things really work. He lives in an unrealistic world that only knows plotting terror and hiding. He cannot and does not have a grasp on a reality beyond his world. Until now he has gotten away with his acts and undoubtedly thought there was nothing to stop him. While his threat is very real and dangerous, he will be stopped. It will take a long time to rid the world of most terrorists, but I do believe it will be done.

I also think the ridiculousness of the Clinton administration added to a distorted image of America. I suppose bin Laden saw the U.S. very differently than her people actually are. Surprise, surprise. We now have a good president and one that has been able to bring many American people to their senses. I doubt this was ever calculated in the diabolical and sick mind of bin Laden. Indeed, I think he has been outfoxed and his delusion will be the death of him and those that follow him..............Finally !!!!!!!!

[DreamWeaver]

In bin Laden’s fantasy America would either respond in a Clintonesque way and so demonstrate to the world its cowardly nature or it would blindly strike out, killing hundreds if not thousands of innocents and so inflame the whole of the Islamic world.

Another Legacy of Bill's.

[alancarp]

"but I'm concerned their military strikes (having taken so long) may be less than effective"

Patience, patience: it takes a while to set up something this big 8,000 miles away in a forbidding place with no existing support lines, facing obvious opposition, and with an adversary that moves around a lot. The US has to get everything in place first to do it right. Recall that it took about six months to set up Desert Storm.

[Quicksilver]

It is frightening to see that the liberal left and the terrorists have so much in common.

[Tai_Chung]

Do you have a link to the Turley article?

Lights, Camera – Reason (German praise for W)

[skeeter]

The sad fact is that what little they knew of US history and policies came entirely from the country’s anti-American left, which has painted a grossly dishonest picture of America that neatly fitted in with these terrorists’ anti-American dogma thus blinding them further to the political and military consequences of their actions.

The other implication here is the anti-american leftwing media can claim a large portion of the responsibility for the deaths of the 7,000 at the WTC as well as recent airline terrorist bombings & crashes.

The blood of these innocents is on their hands as well as the terrorists.

[skeeter]

Considered dangerous, last seen stealing an election in Florida.

And some day, SOME way there'll be a recount that actually PROVES it.

Take your silly fantasy elsewhere.

[Victoria Delsoul]

The strategy, as explained to me, is basically simple. Make an example of bin Laden, demonstrate overwhelming military power and the will to use it against states that harbor and train terrorists; isolate the terrorists physically and squeeze them psychologically. The ultimate aim is the elimination of state-sponsored terrorism.

Right on! Good article. Thanks.

[liberallarry]

Bin Laden comes from an enormously wealthy family of international businessmen. His family is close to the Royals, which means he's grown up to the intricacies of international high finance. That the terrorists sold short prior to the attack shows he's learned his lessons well.
There are also pictures of him in London in his teens so he has at least some first-hand knowledge of the West.
Yet Naom Chomsky quotes interviewer Robert Fisk as agreeing with the author of this article - that bin Laden doesn't know the West and has no interest in it.
While the author may be right in saying that bin Laden's ideological biases may have blinded him to reality, I find his generalities and conclusions too sweeping for comfort.

[Selara]

I too, have gazed in admiration and appreciation, as the steel back bone, intelligence and sheer guts of our President has changed the face of the world. As he promised, he is using EVERY tool and every resource.

Beware the fury of a patient man. --Dryden