(AFP/HO/File)
As the media continues to crack "green" jokes over Bin Laden's climate change audio statement, two key points are overlooked.
Strategic Failure:
By releasing two audio tapes directly to Al Jazeera, Bin Laden has wittingly or unwittingly told the world he is currently isolated from the al Qaeda leadership that frequently appears in as Sahab media. Were his security situation allowing communication with his media wing, the audio tapes would have been released through as Sahab. Hopefully those that are currently on the man-hunt have pieced this together.
Strategic Genius:
The raison d'etre of terrorism is for the intended target to be divided by its leaders' reaction. This is true for both terrorist attacks and propaganda. Bin Laden failed to do this with his audio statement commending the failed Christmas attack as the global media widely portrayed the tape as Bin Laden's attempt to remain relevant.
The "green" statement on the other hand, was successful in polarizing the two sides of the climate change debate. The Green advocates acknowledged Bin Laden has a point, while the climate change skeptics noted the world's most wanted terrorist is a like-minded ally of climate change advocates. Bin Laden has not had this level of propaganda success in the United States since his October 29, 2004 statement had U.S. pundits comparing his views to Michael Moore's and other U.S. liberals.
Posts
