Bin Laden's recently-released videotape shows he obviously didn't get the word from Michael Yon that Iraqis are turned off by Al Qaeda's violence. Bin Laden's latest videotape promises more violence, more carbomb attacks and more assasinations. Which proves that he is tone-deaf to the opinions of Iraqis. Here is AP:
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Osama bin Laden warned Iraq's Sunni Arabs against fighting al-Qaida and vowed to expand the terror group's holy war to Israel in a new audiotape Saturday, threatening "blood for blood, destruction for destruction."
Most of the 56-minute tape dealt with Iraq, apparently al-Qaida's latest attempt to keep supporters in Iraq unified at a time when the U.S. military
claims to have al-Qaida's Iraq branch on the run.
But bin Laden's comments offered an unusually direct attack on Israel, which has warned of growing al-Qaida activity in Palestinian territory. The terror network is not believed to have taken a strong role there so far.
"We intend to liberate Palestine, the whole of Palestine from the (Jordan) river to the sea," he said, threatening "blood for blood, destruction for destruction."
In Iraq, a number of Sunni Arab tribes in western Anbar province have formed a coalition fighting al-Qaida-linked insurgents that U.S. officials credit for deeply reducing violence in the province. The U.S. military has been working to form similar "Awakening Councils" in other areas of Iraq.
White House spokesman Tony Fratto said bin Laden's tape shows that al- Qaida's aim is to block democracy and freedom for all Iraqis.
The Awakening and General Petraeus' effective surge strategy have Bin Laden grasping for another approach. It is amazing to realize Bin Laden's ability to inflict violence in Iraq has been rendered ineffective. Maybe that's why he is talking about launching attacks in Israel.
