Breaking: Osama to deliver new audio tape, declares war on Pakistan; Update: Video — Saudi cleric begs Osama to reconsider
posted at 2:34 pm on September 20, 2007 by Bryan
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It’s a bit of a head-scratcher. Without the safe haven that Pakistan gave it in Waziristan, al Qaeda wouldn’t be able to mount the offensives that it’s running in Afghanistan. So why declare war on them?
Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden called on Muslims in Pakistan to wage holy war against the government of President Pervez Musharraf in a new audio message issued on Thursday.
Bin Laden declared al-Qaeda’s intention to retaliate for the blood spilled of “champions of Islam”, in the new recording produced by the terror network’s media arm As-Sahab, United States monitoring organization Site Intelligence Group said.
“It is obligatory on the Muslims in Pakistan to carry out jihad [holy war] and fighting to remove Pervez, his government, his army and those who help him,” said the voice in the tape.
Zawahiri shows his face on the tape while Osama, as usual, doesn’t. “Death to America, yada yada yada.”
But again, why declare war on Pakistan? Wassup wi’dat?
Perhaps al Qaeda was more impressed with Gen. Petraeus’ testimony than the Democrats were.
Well, it may be today marks the day that goes down in history a ‘VAQI’ day (Victory over Al-Qaeda in Iraq). The newly released tape by al-Zawahri makes it clear that the U.S. is ‘defeated’ in Iraq and Afghanistan, then spends a great deal of time going after Pakistan. Note the past tense; it is important. (Bin Laden audio?? Yeah, right. My guess is he’s been dead for at least 2 years and neither side wants to say so. Too good of a ‘boogey man’) This would suggest- in a ‘Baghdad Bob’ kind of way- that AQ will not be committing any additional resources to those two theaters; they are lost causes to them. Why would they come to that conclusion at this juncture? Because they realize that their second front in this war- the one in Washington D.C.- can’t hand them the victory they haven’t earned on the battlefield.
Time will tell, of course. But the Anbar Awakening hasn’t been good news for al Qaeda. Declaring war on Pakistan strikes me as a mistake as well.
Update (AP): Even some Saudis are starting to wonder. Click the image to watch.
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If there was ever a time to clarify our support of Musharraf, this is the time.
MadisonConservative on September 20, 2007 at 2:38 PM
Well, it’s a quick way to a nuke without all that fooferaw with regards to actually, you know, building one. From what I understand, they have plenty of support on the inside.
Krydor on September 20, 2007 at 2:40 PM
I think Al Queda seeing all the talk about Mushariff stepping down wants to influence who gets power in Pakistan
He is aiming at picking the new Pakistani leader
William Amos on September 20, 2007 at 2:41 PM
I’m thinking of seeing Islamic Rage Boy, getting a sign, marching out onto the street, and someone stops him, whispers in his ear. He drops his sign, looks around, scratches his head and beard then says, “What the F**K was that?”
Nethicus on September 20, 2007 at 2:42 PM
It’s the easiest way to get a nuclear bomb, for one.
Asher on September 20, 2007 at 2:42 PM
This is just a misunderstanding. Remember, it was Obama that wanted to attack Pakistan.
Nosferightu on September 20, 2007 at 2:45 PM
Well played, sir.
Bryan on September 20, 2007 at 2:47 PM
I don’t, Musharraf’s power is shaky, and he’s not making good progress in Iraq or Afghanistan, he’s bottled up, what else is he gonna do? He’s gonna push outward in the weakest front, and that’s Musharraf and the political system in Pakistan.
Bad Candy on September 20, 2007 at 2:48 PM
+1
Bad Candy on September 20, 2007 at 2:49 PM
Could the ghost of Osama be feeling a bit pinned in? It’s almost like he’s pulling out all the stops:
Promises big kaboom? Check
Insists he’s still alive? Check
Tries to incite a war? Check
Something’s up.
Matticus Finch on September 20, 2007 at 2:50 PM
Because I’m sure Al Qaeda never thought of this consequence. Ever think that AQ might say something in public releases under ulterior motives?
Nonfactor on September 20, 2007 at 2:50 PM
I didn’t suggest military action, did I? I said support of Musharraf. The enemy of our enemy is, more often than not, our ally. There is little to lose in declaring our support the targets of AQ.
MadisonConservative on September 20, 2007 at 2:54 PM
*for the targets…dammit I want an edit function.
MadisonConservative on September 20, 2007 at 2:55 PM
I know Musharraf faces a lot of internal opposition, but does responding to this threat give him an opening to pound (and try to assert some control over) the border tribal areas?
ncc770 on September 20, 2007 at 2:55 PM
Of course. Osama pinches Michael Moore’s “My Pet Goat” nonsense and other greenie leftist talking points to confuse and peel off the left here and in Europe.
Ahmadenijad does the same thing.
And it works.
Bryan on September 20, 2007 at 2:59 PM
Don’t worry, if we’re willing to give them nuclear secrets I’m sure we’re willing to at least say “we support him,” no matter the consequences.
Nonfactor on September 20, 2007 at 3:00 PM
Well, they’ve proven themselves pretty damned good at killing people in a haphazard fashion, but geo-political geniuses they’re not.
flipflop on September 20, 2007 at 3:11 PM
Bin Laden must be inches away from winning the Democrat nomination.
Kensington on September 20, 2007 at 3:13 PM
Osama wants to play with Musharraf’s nukes
Kini on September 20, 2007 at 3:13 PM
Do you think that this will lend credence to Obama’s foreign policy plan?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 20, 2007 at 3:14 PM
Could be.
flipflop on September 20, 2007 at 3:14 PM
They seek him here, they seek him there
Those Special Ops seek him everywhere
If you should see him, please do give a yell!
That damned elusive OBL
They seek him here, they seek him there
The Special Ops seek him everywhere
Oh, Wimpy, how the Special Ops do implore you
Simply to come out from under your bed
With all your hiding
It’s a chore to smash your head!
They seek him here, they seek him there
The Special Ops seek him everywhere!
He gives the Special Ops nothing but frustration
Sink me! He’s a spoilsport
Each and every damned capture
He cuts short
They seek him here, they seek him there
Those Special Ops seek him everywhere
Is he in a cave or is he in a hotel?
One thing we know for sure
Hes going to Hell!
- Percy
MB4 on September 20, 2007 at 3:23 PM
Niiiice…reminds me of the Union Underground song!
I think the word you were searching for was “steal.” You know, AQ Khan??? But way to make it sound like we gave them everything they needed to know ’bout “nucular” weapons.
Miss_Anthrope on September 20, 2007 at 3:26 PM
This is a smart move on AQ’s part. Musharraf’s popular support is in the toilet. OBL is more popular with the Pakistanis than the General is. The army is tired of fighting fellow Muslims in the tribal zones and their loyality to Musharraf is suspect. A whole generation of middle-ranking officers never trained in the US like their superiors. They are ripe for AQ propaganda and jihadism.
AQ doesn’t need to overthrow Musharraf and sieze control of the Pakistani state. They just need to push hard enough and watch the whole rickety structure collapse. Then if they’re lucky they will, like the Bolsheviks, find “power lying in the streets.” If not and the whole place shatters into a thousand pieces, then the Pashtun tribal areas will become an ungoverned zone, and AQ will be completely free to train and plan in the open. Plus, under such chaotic circumstances they just might end up with a nuke or nuke material (among other possible military-grade goodies).
All in all a good plan for them, especially with Pakistani elections coming up. The potential for anarchy is high.
Anybody wanna place bets on upcoming assassination attempts?
Thomas the Wraith on September 20, 2007 at 3:27 PM
BINGO. If OBL ran for president against Musharaff, OBL would win. OBL loses nothing by ‘declaring war’ against Pakistan.
This is actually already the case. The agreement from Musharaff to make the Pashtun area ‘no go’ areas sealed that fate already.
Basically Thomas, I’m saying you had a good post and ‘ditto’.
ThackerAgency on September 20, 2007 at 3:37 PM
Indeed. ThackerAgency just made the case for Musharaff declaring continued martial law and scrapping the election. After this declaration no one would blame him, except ObL and his wild ones.
Entelechy on September 20, 2007 at 3:42 PM
Sorry, sorry – that s/b Thomas the Wraith, not ThackerAgency :(
Entelechy on September 20, 2007 at 3:44 PM
Heh, turns out it s/b both :)
Entelechy on September 20, 2007 at 3:45 PM
I’m about as good as predicting Osama’s new policy decisions as I am the President’s these days.
BadgerHawk on September 20, 2007 at 3:46 PM
It’s OK Entelechy. Musharaff tried to declare marshall law, but the US advised him against it. The Supreme Court of Pakistan also would not allow him to do it.
Musharaff’s time is done as a leader in Pakistan. The sooner we realize that, the quicker we’ll be able to handle whoever is next in charge.
ThackerAgency on September 20, 2007 at 4:06 PM
Snows balls chance……Pakistan falls then Ms. India goes headhunting. She is not going to allow AQ to get their hands on Mushy’s nukes.
Limerick on September 20, 2007 at 4:08 PM
All throughout Pakistan the Pakistani Nutroots are questioning the timing.
I bet they think that Mushareff borrowed his friend W’s special CIA weapon Agent bin Laden and had him make this video.
Afterall, this comes just as Mushareff’s popularity has reached an alltime low and Mushareff is talking about stepping down.
Now, with Agent bin Laden’s new tape release threatening attack on Pakistan, President Mushareff has an excuse (as previously mentioned) to continue martial law and remain in charge.
All I can say is, “Rove, you magnificent bastard!”
JadeNYU on September 20, 2007 at 4:12 PM
It’s a dead man’s party who could ask for more?
Drtuddle on September 20, 2007 at 4:13 PM
Of course he has to reconsider…there is no Resurrection in the Islam!
Ropera on September 20, 2007 at 4:19 PM
I misread that as “Obama” and I thought to myself, “old news”.
Ortzinator on September 20, 2007 at 4:40 PM
It’s not Bin Hidin’. It’s claymation – and the Savages don’t do it very well.
OhEssYouCowboys on September 20, 2007 at 4:44 PM
Two things. First, OBL and company would love for Musharraf to declare martial law. It plays right into their arguement that he’s an anti-Islamic dictator and puppet of the hated West. And it strengthens discontent in the army, the last leg of the state. OBL is playing a pure Leninist/Khomeinist strategy here, “the worse – the better”. OBL and AQ want to push Musharraf to crack down then they can lead the demonstrations against his repression. Martial law will mobilize the population and they can take credit for any successes. It’s Iran circa 1978 or Russia circa 1916, a tinderbox of discontent, a restive population under an unpopular dictator who probably isn’t ruthless or powerful enough to liquidate the growing opposition. Tick tock, General. And if India takes any military action against a revolutionsry Pakistan it would be making the same mistake that Saddam did against Iran. The attacks would strengthen revolutionary fervor and support for the new state, not undermine it.
Second, the Saudis are against this because they know that they’re next. Pakistan is just a means to an end and the end has always been the Land of the Two Mosques, the Sacred Mohammaden homeland. If Pakistan falls, the Saudi princes should spend some time organizing their affairs in Switzerland because their best option is exile, along with Musharraf.
Thomas the Wraith on September 20, 2007 at 5:27 PM
I’ll bet even Osama’s “hand” in this video is just a guy standing behind him, using a cheezy magician’s move, cleverly sticking it through Bin LotDead’s voluminous costume and doing his gestures.
I suggest we all in the West, in India, and China, (3 billion, at least) convert to “Islam”, hold an online Reformation within the following week, vote to expunge all of the violence from the current texts, and declare the resulting Peaceful Koran to then be the True Islam.
And give
the choice to convert, submit, or die.
It would take several hours of organizing (in the tech-vein of a Flash Mob Event), but might preserve our Civilization with only an ideological coup.
profitsbeard on September 20, 2007 at 5:44 PM
Undoubtedly the reason Bin Laden would declare war on Musharraf was that Musharraf ordered the army to push the radicals out of the Red Mosque a few weeks ago. That has resulted in the radical Muslims pushing back all over the country, especially in the tribal areas. Bin Laden must rush to the front of his followers to lead them against Musharraf.
Tantor on September 20, 2007 at 6:02 PM
Nonfactor, Pakistan weren’t given nuclear secrets. A.Q. Khan wriggled his way into a position as a nuclear physician in Holland and subsequently passed on the secrets to his co-religionists.
I suppose you condemn the Rosenbergs for passing on nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union? I won’t hold my breath.
aengus on September 20, 2007 at 9:00 PM
Pakistan could be a wish he has but not just for the nukes they hold.
If you scour the net you will see that even from credible sites there is thinly sourced stuff roaming around in the intel community that OBL and Co has picked up somewhere between 12 to 40 old Russian suitcase nukes over the years.
I still don’t buy into it, but it comes from dozens of sites as independent information and they are not linked together in any way that I can see.
The interesting thing is that based on those types of technology they would require periodic refresh of the trigger mechanism to set the bomb off.
And guess what part of that trigger sauce is.
How about PO210.
Yup the same stuff that got spread around London like party favors.
If someone is smuggling PO210 the only likely buyer would be someone who had a several generations back bomb that needed it to refresh the triggers.
Two dots that connect, but still not enough to say OK.
Heck I even saw one site that suggested that the Pakistan/India earthquake started when OBL set off a test fire of a random sample of the first delivery from the black market but was dumb enough to set off the blast on a major fault line.
CommentGuy on September 21, 2007 at 1:57 AM
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