reflectivepundit

Bin Laden no longer America's Most Wanted Terrorist

By Brigitte L. Nacos

The revelation that "Alec Station," the CIA unit which hunted Osama bin Laden for a decade or so, was disbanded recently, did not make the front pages of newspapers and the leads of broadcasts. Obviously, nobody in the media was surprised that the Al Qaeda leader ceased to be the most wanted terrorist and became merely the most prominent one among equals. While no longer presiding over a hierarchical organization that trains recruits and plans and finances terror attacks, bin Laden has become even more of an inspirational force for those who spread his message and encourage the establishment autonomous terror groups and cells. If anything, in his role of propagandist-in-chief he is a more dangerous enemy today than he was yesterday as head of the centralized Al-Qaeda organization.

When bin Laden Speaks, The World Listens

By Brigitte L. Nacos

Bin Laden and his followers know all about the value of publicity via the old and new media. That's why they regularly produce and release their audio and video propaganda messages--the latest two within 48 hours and just in time to be aired as "breaking news" as most Americans began a long weekend ahead of the July Fourth holiday. But since publicity is only the means to larger geopolitical ends, bin Laden strives for the attention and recognition that is normally reserved for legitimate political leader. Unfortunately, this is precisely what the Al Qaeda leader achieved: When bin Laden speaks, the whole world listens--especially the very nations he wants to destroy.