On Monday Al Jazeera broadcast an audiotape message purportedly from Osama Bin Laden. According to CNN's report, Bin Laden is heard calling on insurgent groups to unite. Experts said this is the first time Bin Laden has directly addressed the insurgents. Bin Laden sounds frustrated that the insurgents aren't getting the job done. "Beware of your enemies, especially those who infiltrate your ranks." And this: "You have done well to perform your duty, but some of you have been late to another duty, which is to unify your ranks and make them into one line."
Captainsquartersblog observes there isn't the usual Islamic triumphalism in the message. Counterterrorismblog says Bin Laden is frustrated. On the campaign trail, John McCain is quick to say the message is more evidence the US is winning.
Once again, McClatchy is AWOL on the real Iraq news. McClatchy's Iraq web page has an article about Bush working on Turkey not to attack the Kurds inside Iraq, a hand-wringing article on Iraqi complaints that US troops killed innocent civilians, and, the obligatory article on Blackwater.
(What is the point of having a Baghdad bureau, if you don't inform your readers about the reality of what is happening in the war?)
