The master strategist
In the days following 9/11, there was prevalent talk of how Bin Laden would've had everything "gamed out", and would be ready for any US response. Just for starters, he surely would be expecting a move against the Taliban, and surely would have something frightening up his sleeve.
This comment from Juan Cole, a rather infamous opponent of Bush's policies in the Middle East, is typical of what was being said then.
The talk was unsettling, as there was a real sense of fear in what was being said. The awful attacks were made worse by the apparent fact we had been attacked by a genius, for only a genius would have and could have executed such attacks, and such a genius would always be one step ahead of us no matter how we responded.
The talk got to the point where it almost seemed like we had no chance. Even if we had found a way to parachute ninja penguins behind enemy lines, Bin Laden, that old wily master gamer, would have had a response waiting for it.
As George Will would say...Well.
I want to give a summary of events that have taken place as a direct result of 9/11. I'd be willing to bet you a couple of goats and a camel that Bin Laden didn't count on all of this happening when he blew open that Pandora's Box.
1. The murderous Taliban were removed from power with extreme prejudice. Al Qaeda lost their safe haven and training facilities.
2. Pakistan, the Taliban's patron, has cooperated with the United States in this War on Terror, and has arrested many terrorists. True, Pakistan does try to play both ends at times, but US pressure has secured valuable help from Pakistan.
3. Al Qaeda's top leadership has been decimated.
4. Saddam Hussein's murderous regime in Iraq was forcibly removed with extreme prejudice. Al Qaeda is denied support, and the world would never have to worry about Hussein ever acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
5. Of the 55 most wanted figures in Hussein's regime, only 11 are still at large.
6. Saudi Arabia has cracked down on terrorists within its borders.
7. Syria has withdrawn its troops from Lebanon.
8. Libya has decided to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction.
9. In the Phillipines, the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf is under pressure.
10. Malaysia has been an ally in the war against the terrorists.
11. The United States has established a military presence in Central Asia.
12. Relations with France and Germany have been put in a new light, and the United States has begun withdrawing troops from Germany.
These are only some of the monumental changes in the world that have occurred as a direct result of 9/11, and President Bush's decision to prosecute a global war on terror.
For much more information on the progress in this war, see this White House document. It describes attacks against terrorists and terrorist organizations, a myriad of international operations, domestic operations, efforts to stop terrorist financing, and more.
And let us never forget so much of the hard work in this war is being done by our brave military. How can we thank them enough?
Did Bin Laden really have all of this gamed out before 9/11? Hmm, I don't think so. But if he did, it's a game he lost.
This comment from Juan Cole, a rather infamous opponent of Bush's policies in the Middle East, is typical of what was being said then.
Bin Laden had gamed out the aftermath of 9/11 and understood that the US might well try to partner with the Northern Alliance against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and he wanted to reduce the military effectiveness of the NA by eliminating its most talented strategist, Massoud.
The talk was unsettling, as there was a real sense of fear in what was being said. The awful attacks were made worse by the apparent fact we had been attacked by a genius, for only a genius would have and could have executed such attacks, and such a genius would always be one step ahead of us no matter how we responded.
The talk got to the point where it almost seemed like we had no chance. Even if we had found a way to parachute ninja penguins behind enemy lines, Bin Laden, that old wily master gamer, would have had a response waiting for it.
As George Will would say...Well.
I want to give a summary of events that have taken place as a direct result of 9/11. I'd be willing to bet you a couple of goats and a camel that Bin Laden didn't count on all of this happening when he blew open that Pandora's Box.
1. The murderous Taliban were removed from power with extreme prejudice. Al Qaeda lost their safe haven and training facilities.
2. Pakistan, the Taliban's patron, has cooperated with the United States in this War on Terror, and has arrested many terrorists. True, Pakistan does try to play both ends at times, but US pressure has secured valuable help from Pakistan.
3. Al Qaeda's top leadership has been decimated.
4. Saddam Hussein's murderous regime in Iraq was forcibly removed with extreme prejudice. Al Qaeda is denied support, and the world would never have to worry about Hussein ever acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
5. Of the 55 most wanted figures in Hussein's regime, only 11 are still at large.
6. Saudi Arabia has cracked down on terrorists within its borders.
7. Syria has withdrawn its troops from Lebanon.
8. Libya has decided to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction.
9. In the Phillipines, the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf is under pressure.
10. Malaysia has been an ally in the war against the terrorists.
11. The United States has established a military presence in Central Asia.
12. Relations with France and Germany have been put in a new light, and the United States has begun withdrawing troops from Germany.
These are only some of the monumental changes in the world that have occurred as a direct result of 9/11, and President Bush's decision to prosecute a global war on terror.
For much more information on the progress in this war, see this White House document. It describes attacks against terrorists and terrorist organizations, a myriad of international operations, domestic operations, efforts to stop terrorist financing, and more.
And let us never forget so much of the hard work in this war is being done by our brave military. How can we thank them enough?
Did Bin Laden really have all of this gamed out before 9/11? Hmm, I don't think so. But if he did, it's a game he lost.
2 Comments:
At Fri Sep 23, 09:15:00 PM, johngrif said…
Your main points are all true and impressive.
I wonder if the average American understands our place in today's world. He is deliberately misinformed in our national media.
Foreign new reporting is worse than a scandal. A very few items reach the big screen. Most are tilted anti American. Gossip and disasters make up a portion. There is no attempt to paint a larger picture.
It is impossible to see world points of view. They are provided at best as snippets, without context. And negative, as said.
It's important for me to see American foreign policy as a reflection of our moral outlook on the world. I am never given a chance to judge it.
Bush has peformed well overseas. AIDS policy in Africa, talks with European leaders, speeches on the American vision given in Europe and Australia, and elsewhere.
Damning in the worst way has been the MSM. They have let little of his statements about OUR view of things reach American ears.
Examples: I found his Polish speech about a new day in EAstern European relations confined to CSPAN. I think they also had his Australian speech about terrorism.
The Latvian address about our defence of freedom against Communism, among other things, was given during the celebration of Victory in Europe day. It was referenced on
German TV (available then through CBC satellite news). Its text never appeared on any MSM.
Any understanding of our President'sforeign work has been, well, censored. We don't really need to know.
Which allows his critics free reign to claim they know foreign policy. And leaves the rest of us ignorant.
It is also why these same critics can so easily manipulate the body of public opinion. Kept in a cage, Americans have no real concept of the outer world.
Tom Fenton has made the case. I've not read his book, Bad News : The Decline of Reporting, the Business of News, and the Danger to Us All (Hardcover). I did listen to his long discussion of it at CSPAN.
John Zxerce comments at Amazon.com:
As an example he writes about a project he was working on to interview Osama Bin Laden, "Our bosses saw him as an obscure Arab of no interest to our viewers," Fenton writes. "More concerned with saving dollars than pursuing the story, they killed the project."
At Sat Sep 24, 06:57:00 PM, Jeff said…
Yes, you and I agree on the importance of context. And this is where the media could be so valuable. They have the resources to keep track of a wide array of events, they can be in so many places, they have the big picture. And so, they could share that big picture with us, but they don't.
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