CNNI Pakistani forces reporting a fierce battle against Al Queda

[maddezmom]

Aaron Brown reporting, Pakistan Pres: "high-value" target surrounded. No confirmation on who the target is at this time.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/03/18/pakistan.alqaeda/index.html

edited to add link

[ewagner]

1. Get ready

Geee willikers......ain't it lucky CNN has one of their top anchors on the scene.......

What a coincidence! <sarcasm off>

[rocktivity]

23. It's a fait accompli

Even Bush is smart enough not to risk a failed battle on interntational television. The high value target--or his body--will be brought out of the rubble shortly. The rest is stage management.

:headbang:
rocknation

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Also broke into CNNI -- Aaron couldn't, or wouldn't, say...

if U.S. forces involved.

[maddezmom]

5. he sounded like he knew more than was able to say at this time n/t

[leanings]

59. There's no way

that TF 121 isn't involved.

[DeepModem Mom]

63. What's that, leanings?

[leanings]

68. Task Force 121

For high-value targets, the military puts together joint military-intelligence teams to hunt after them. There was another task force in Afghanistan before the Iraq war and one in Iraq hunting Saddam. 121 was formed after the Special Ops guys were able to move some of there troops out of Iraq to go after Bin Laden again.

http://www.strategypage.com//fyeo/howtomakewar/default.asp?target=HTINF.HTM

[tom_paine]

82. Aren't they the ones who particpated in the Jessica Lynch Fraud?

Sounds like TF 121 is the Bushevik Striking Arm for Corrupted Ops.

[papau]

75. BBC is a little clearer - there is "only" more fighting than expected -

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3525000.stm

Troops ring 'top al-Qaeda figure'



South Waziristan has long been suspected as an al-Qaeda hideout. Pakistan says its forces have surrounded a senior leader of the al-Qaeda militant network close to the border with Afghanistan. "We feel that there may be a high-value target," President Pervez Musharraf told US television network CNN.

<snip>Thousands of troops backed by helicopter gunships were deployed in the region on Thursday morning and came under heavy attack from militants, the BBC's Zaffar Abbas reports.

"They are giving fierce resistance, so he is reasonably sure there is a high-value target there," Mr Musharraf said, although he would not be drawn on who it might be.

<snip>Fifteen Pakistani soldiers died there in fierce clashes on Tuesday and 24 militants, thought to be local tribesmen or al-Qaeda suspects, were also killed.



Al-Qaeda no.2 believed surrounded by troops: Pakistani sources

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistani troops may have surrounded Al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in the mountainous South Waziristan region near the Afghan border, government officials told AFP.

<snip>"The Pakistanis believe they have a high value target, a senior al-Qaeda member surrounded. But I can't confirm who that is," the official said. "We can't confirm what they are saying. It's what they believe."

[wryter2000]

3. Hmmmm

If they're going to get Osama, I hope they do it now, not October.

The world would be a better place without that guy. For sure.

[PA-DEM]

6. But

If they get Osama now, then what would be the basis for keeping Bush? Surely not to help the economy.

[Gman]

37. Capturing Osama does not create jobs,

reduce the trade deficit that is draining jobs and prop back up the US dollar which is one of the causes of high gasoline prices (along with oil company fraud and market manipulation.)

[Scroey]

101. Gas Prices and Trade Deficits

I just want to point out that an oil company's profit for a gallon of gasoline is a minimal component of the overall price. Refining varies state by state but approximately 13% of the price of gas is for profit and refining combined. A much more important facor is federal and state taxes which account for 31% of the price. There is also a county tax which varies greatly. Here is a link:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/primer_on_gasoline_prices/html/petbro.html

Also, trade deficits in general are a myth. There is only a "trade deficit" when we count manufacturing jobs and ignore service sector jobs. We could have an equally large trade "surplus" if we only counted service sector jobs (i.e. insurance, banking, computer programming).

[calimary]

15. yeah, better now, when there are still many months to go and the

impact can be thoroughly diffused, than closer to the election. Let's hope, if it happens, that it's soon. Let's get this over with, I guess, kind of like root canal.

Problem is, I'm not so sure anymore whether the world would be a better place, per se. First of all, anything they do will make Osama a martyr to the Islamic fundies. JUST what we need. Second, it's actually being acknowledged that there are more splinter groups who may or may NOT have ties to Al Qaeda, or feel any personal allegiance to Osama, but may just be borrowing ideas and techniques. The blather about 3/4 of Al Qaeda leaders now in custody means nothing. As we ALL can see, the terror strikes keep happening. They're not all marching in lockstep like those with the lockstep mentality (running things over here) assume they are. It's ALL a bunch of wild cards now.

bush has seen a grease fire and turned the hose on it. Full blast.

[Zhade]

84. "bush has seen a grease fire and turned the hose on it."

Man, that is a PERFECT analogy!

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Could timing have to do with one-year anniversary,

and devastating retrospectives of Iraq after a year?

[still_one]

7. This better not be more

bull shit. I am getting so tired of the misinformation reported by the press.

[PA-DEM]

9. Is it a coincident that CNN just happened to have an interview

with Aaron Brown and the Pakistan leader already scheduled for tonight. What a way to get people to watch.

[DeepModem Mom]

13. I would think a set-up would be awarded to Fox --

[PA-DEM]

18. No set up

My point is that Brown maybe just trying to draw some interest to his conversation with Mussaruf(sp). By bringing this up it would encourage more viewers to watch.

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Now CNN -- sirens heard from Coalition Hdqtrs Baghdad?

[jpak]

10. Isn't Powell in Pakistan today????

How convenient....

[leftchick]

17. he was...

I believe he is on his way to Kuwait.

[rocktivity]

11. Yes, I hope it is Osama

Because Bush will then have absolutely nothing to run, and he won't be able to justify turning over Iraq to the UN!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Zhade]

85. "..and he won't be able to justify turning over Iraq to the UN!"

I'm confused - do you think it's a bad idea for the UN to replace our troops...?

I don't want to draw any conclusions, because I might be misreading your post. A little help?

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

12. quite a few died yesturday

Eight paramilitary troops and 24 suspected terrorists, including several foreigners, have been killed in northern Pakistan in the hunt for Al Qaeda terrorists.

The new Pakistani offensive coincides with the American led operation 'Mountain Storm' on the other side of the Afghan border.

Together the two operations amount to what the US military has dubbed a hammer and anvil strategy to root out Osama Bin Laden and others loyal to Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Mahmood Shah, secretary to the provincial governor for Tribal Areas Security, said on a Pakistan Television (PTV) program that an anti-terrorism operation began early on Tuesday morning (local time) in Kalosha village of Azam Warsak upon receiving information that some foreign elements were hiding in the area.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1067344.htm

[CaptainClark23]

33. Paki raids against AQ

Have not been the smashing successes as presented..in regards to the raid earlier this week which the media heralded as killing 24 AQ members:

300 paki soldiers (actually, elite paramilitaries called Scouts) moved into tribal village Kaloosha and surrounded a mud-brick compound where they "had tried to detain suspected Qaeda members and local tribesmen believed to be sheltering them.

When they began the raid, heavy covering fire allowed several vehicles to escape the compound (some surrounding job there, eh?)

Whereupon the elite Scouts found themselves surrounded by an estimated 400 to 500 armed militants who had moved into positions through apple tree groves.

So you've got 300 paki Scouts who not only couldn't complete the mission, as their targets drove right through them, but then they are surrounded and outnumbered by 100 to 200 troops (not counting the troops inside the compound).

They were eventually rescued by an additonal 400 regular paki troops.

results:

Paki Scouts: 8 dead, 15 wounded, 18 "missing", no prisoners, no targets detained.

Militants: 24 dead.

Doesn't look too good for Musharef's boys, does it? That region is pure badlands. No one has EVER been able to impose any sort of real "control" over it. They are armed to the teeth, and in numbers.

I fear for US soldiers who are in the crosshairs, especially as this operation escalates.

[Maestro]

14. I'm skeptical

But we'll see what happens. I fully support going after terrorists. Democrats like myself are not weak on using our strong military and good men when it is necessary unlike what republicans say.

I would suspect that there are special forces in there or perhaps the CIA in advisory roles with the Pakistani government if indeed they are fighting a "high-value" target.

My question, though, is if the military force we depolyed in Iraq were operating all this time in Afghanistan would we already have Osama?

[k in IA]

16. Exactly - Get the a**holes that attacked us - not go on some

diversion into Iraq.

[PA-DEM]

19. I agree, but

If the Pakistan soldiers get him, how will Bush be able to take credit.

[Maestro]

20. He'll

figure out a way. Don't worry.

[Skip Intro]

25. No doubt

He failed to prevent 9*11, and look how much political mileage he's squeezed out of that tragedy.

[Sparkly]

21. Is the media

waiting for the U.S. troops to get there?

[DeepModem Mom]

28. Oh, man -- they probably are waiting for the U.S. to get there --

[arcane1]

34. he took credit when the Kurds captured Saddam

and left him stoned in a hole until we "found" him

without a free press, Bush can claim to have led the damned raid himself, and a good number of people will buy it

[radwriter0555]

22. this effort is to justify the much maligned false war on terror. once

everyone noticed that the US military WASN'T fighting no stupid war on terror, they had to step up the action and rhetoric chasing after mythical beings in the desert.

[radwriter0555]

24. the guys that attacked us are dead.

no offense.

[Spoon]

26. Tough Question

Having that many troops in Afghanistan would have shades of the Soviet/Afghan war, and we all know how that went. I believe the point of deploying a smaller, more mobile force was to avoid getting bogged down, and to lessen exposure of the troops. Although it's true were running a little low on reserves, we could've deployed more if we wanted too, esp during the time before the Iraq War.

[tlcandie]

27. So when he's captured and all the killings/bombings continue and

there is still no peace..what then? Just like Saddam, capturing Osama means nothing. In fact, it could actually strengthen and/or make more solid the Al Qaeda community. It isn't about ONE person, it is a movement.

[aquart]

29. If they get him, what can they do with him????????

Seriously, do we want custody of that hot potato? Will it enhance our safety if we put him on trial and execute him?

Would it not make terrorism more violently active against us?

[PA-DEM]

30. It's not Osama, it's Zahwari

AP reports

[berner59]

32. No U.S. forces involved...

How's Bush gonna use this for his election now???

[Sparkly]

42. Can US forces go in?

Or can the military not fight within Pakistan?

[DeepModem Mom]

36. Repercussions, yes -- but we've been asking, where's Osama --

I think we need to get him, as we've been saying, and should not have invaded Iraq.

[dawn]

31. I think there will be more terror attacks when Osama is captured.

His capture will rile up the terrorists and they will escalate their jihad.

Also, Al-Quaeda is like a hydra. Cut off one head, and another will appear. I honestly don't know how anyone can stop terrorism.

[wicket]

39. Evil

It's like trying to stop "evil", it's impossible.

[Imajika]

48. Maybe we should just surrender?

"I honestly don't know how anyone can stop terrorism."

Ya think?

The way to deal with terrorists is to kill them. They are not reasonable and we should waste not one single second pondering how to make them happy.

"I think there will be more terror attacks when Osama is captured."

Perhaps we should not bother then? Just leave Bin Laden alone. Never mind that he is responsible for the deaths of some 3000 Americans.

Geeze, these defeatist posts are so revolting. If the Democratic Party ever gets associated with such views, we will be a tiny minority party destined to hold zero political power ever again.

Imajika

[Malva Zebrina]

60. No--the way to stop terrorism is NOT by forcefully invading their peoples

and killing their families and children. Ask Israel--ask Ireland--although Ireland is somewhat stable now. Israel, after fifty years of using force has not won at all and can neer win if it countinues to use force.

Ask the minister in Italy who spoke today--he is right-terrorism cannot be conquored by force-there is no such thing as a war on terror as Bush would like you to assimilate, stick into your little grey cells and then believe it something that can be accomplished by bloodshed and the killing of innocent people while you are at it, and seemingly not to care a whit about them.

I wonder how many of those fighting in this damn operation mountain dew or whatever the hell it is, were let go from the prison camps in Afganistan after than conquest. Thousands were released from there and flown back into Pakistan. To pick up their guns again against us?

Does anyone honestly think that anyone can invade this country and win a war against us? Does anyone honestly think that after we kill these taliban/Al Queda or whoever they are, that will signify that we have won a war on terrorisn or some other similar absurdity of a mental concept.

I thought we did revenge 9-11 when we invaded Afganistan and bombed it further into the sand. Spectacular! vut nothing to brag about, since Afganistan had absolutely nothing to defend itself with. Bin Laden? not important any nore, according to Bush after he played the roll of Jesse James at the OK corral. Does anyone honestly think that dismissing Bin Laden like that after declaring that we were gonna noose him up , dead or alive, is an indication that we want to stop terrorism from Al Queda? Media let it go, but it certainly was a flip flop--and it was, I believe calculated to having us wait until he needed the spectacular pictures of Bin Laden or members of his family, bloodied, bruised and dead to parade on the front pages of all the newspapers as well as ad nauseum on TV. hell, capturing Bin Laden at the scriped time is Bush's ticket to winning the next election. This is all being played out on a stage with Bush center stage.

It is going to blow up in his face and soon he will run out of spectacular, staged events--that is when he gets dangerous--I would not put it past him to stage an assination. Mark my words. It would be right up his alley--connected as he loves to do, to Reagun, his daddy who Saddam tried to kill, JFK a much admired man--I am willing to bet five bucks on it.



I am sick of this war, war war, violence, fakery, testosterone laden barbarism.

[wabeewoman]

91. Good post Marianne

I thought I was one of the few who didn't agree with Afghanistan-noone convinced me the people who caused 9-11 were there (the evidence pointed to Saudi Arabia) and the people were already almost in the stone age. Using military might like we have to bomb a country with nothing is unconscionable. I think these wars are barbaric and I am embarrassed that in this time in history we are still fighting wars and killing innocent people. What would people do if everyone who had anything to do with 9-11 were killed in the attack? Who do we kill in revenge?? People seem to readily accept Osa Bin ladin is evil as they did Saddam but I have seen no proof he has done anything but gloat about American's losses and claim we are evil. And call for holy war against us. Judging from what I see of our actions in Iraq, I would do the same for America if the shoe was on the other foot. One country's hero is another country's evil enemy. And its just wrong to cause so much death and destruction when there are other ways.

[CaptainClark23]

61. Since POTUS now has authority to designate

anyone he chooses as an official "Terrorist", you sure you might not want to reconsider your view?

To the German Occupiers of WWII, the French Resistance were terrorists.

To the Crown of England, the pesky american colonials were terrorists.

Oh that the world were so simple that "kill them" could resolve our problems.

I'd think by now we'd know better. My folly.

[dawn]

66. Just kill them all? How?

When you kill one, another is created. It just incites them to kill more. They see it as an attack on Allah, on Islam, on them. The leader who is killed becomes a martyr. So more kill (and die) for him, and for the cause.

Think about all those camps in which children are taught to become "holy warriors." WHat do you think they will be taught when their leader dies (or to them, is martyred). Do you think they will just say, "Oh, gee, we shouldn't be terrorists anymore. Look, they got our leader."

Or do you think we should just go and nuke the countries in which they are created? Would that solve it for you? Which countries? What about the terror cells operating out of Europe?

I don't know how to stop them, but I don't think just taking out the leader of an organization is going to do it. You can't wage war on an ideology. If that's defeatist, so be it.

And thanks for calling my post revolting. It's nice to know people like you read DU, too. And if people like me are a disgrace to the Democratic party, well God help the Democratic Party. I guess we should just roll over and submit to our Republican masters, then?

[Redleg]

96. Dontcha think there is more to it than just "killing terrorists?"

The Israelis have been doing that pretty well for decades now, in addition to waging wars with her neighbors, and terrorism still continues. I agree that we liberals cannot afford to look like weak-willed, gutless fools. I also happen to believe that killing terrorists is only part of a a solution.

[Uzybone]

58. Kill them all or....

stop meddling in the ME with a biased hand. Even then it may not stop.

[smb]

69. Duh....

I honestly don't know how anyone can stop terrorism.

1. Find terrorist.

2. Kill terrorist.

3. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Teaser]

70. No, that kills terrorists.

Terrorism is a means adopted by people who don't care about their own ends. At least, suicide terrorism is.

So, killing them isn't a deterrent. You're giving them what they want! It may, in fact, make more people line up to volunteer.

A war on terrorism will always be a war of attrition. Unless you somehow defeat the ideology behind the terrorism.

[formernaderite]

83. Shocking how bloodthirsty some DUers are....

....it's pretty barbaric this notion of an eye for an eye. I have nothing against capturing those we can, and even understand defending oneself...but ranting on about killing people makes me ill.

[dawn]

74. Gee, thanks for your analysis.

If only that would work.

That won't kill terrorism, just individual terrorists. And killing them creates more terrorists.

[SOS]

79. The Soviets learned that in the 1980s

in Afghanistan. If a mujahedeen fighter was killed by a Russian, it became the duty of his male relatives to take up arms against the Russians. One Soviet general said that for every one they killed they created six new ones.

[Caution]

77. sort of like a hydra

the Israelis can tell you...Every time you catch and kill one of these maniacs another two become inspired to take their place. It's insane. Do I have a solution? No. Do I think simply ignoring the problem is a good idea? No. But knee-jerk "kill em all" strategy simply won't work. The root cause must be addressed and this is arguably more important than killing off individual terrorists. The Israel/Palestine problem must be solved, the reasons behind anti-american resentment in the minds of militants must be examined and dealt with, etc etc.

Some would call this appeasement or giving them what they want but I would disagree, I'm not saying we should just go ahead and give in to demands but we should certainly alter some of our policies which are creating the resentment and we should work towards educating those who are ripe for terrorist recruitment that the US is not there to destroy their way of life as the militants would suggest.

[Redleg]

97. That's pretty simplistic. It's that kind of simple thinking that gets

us into situation such as Iraq with no obvious plan of getting the hell out. Try again. Killing terrorists may be only a part of a solution, but surely not a solution by itself.

[LionInWinter]

35. MSNBC says its al-Zawahri

Their headline quotes the AP

[DeepModem Mom]

38. He's the brains, right? The Egyptian doctor?

[Maestro]

41. Yes

Yes, he's the revolutionary and the brains. If it is him. Osama should be close.

[CaptainClark23]

49. OBL close - Oh?

So much for operational integrity.

The "evil masterminds" who coordinated the most devastating attack ever on american soil would keep their top operational planner and their seminal leader in the same damn neighborhood?

So if AQ is so damned clever, why are they so dumb?

Do you think Bush and Cheney are the only ones ever to figure out you don't put the two of them in the same room, especially when there is a direct threat? Not like this operation hasn't been broadcast to the heavens for weeks and months.

[htuttle]

51. If he's the brains of al Queda...

...I kind of doubt that he would sit there waiting for Pakistani troops to pick him up.

It's not as if the Bush administration hasn't given them sufficient advance warning to clear out, in any case.

[demdave]

73. Clear out and go where? He thought he was safe in Pakistan until

the 2 assassination attempts on Musharraf made Musharraf get serious. Now there is nowhere to hide. He can't just get on a plane. He is an international fugitive that is being actively sought.

[w4rma]

40. Who the heck is al-Zawahri? (n/t)

[Maestro]

44. He

is an Egyptian revolutionary, doctor and close friend to Osama.

[pacifictiger]

78. I've always thought

Zawahiri was more dangerous than bin laden. He was implicated in Sadat's asassination in Egypt way back when for his role in making a peace treaty with Israel. He inspired bin laden who then went on to become the spokesman and money man for the cause of palestine vs israel movement, which grew into the larger alqaida. The terrorist movement started out with the outrage over the u.s. unequal treatment towards palestine vs israel and grew to where it took on a life of its own. Violence begets violence.

[maddezmom]

43. as does ABC news

Pakistanis Might Be Near al-Qaida No. 2
Pakistani Officials Believe al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman Al-Zawahri May Be Surrounded Near Border
The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan March 18 — Pakistani troops believe they have surrounded al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri in an operation near the Afghan border, three senior Pakistani officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.
~snip~

a tad more: http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040318_1046.html

[ewagner]

45. Makes you go hmmmmmm...

MSNBC also has Jim Maceda on-site. CNN has Aaron Brown. Who does FAUX have over there? Is it one of their top guns too?

Somebody's been tipped off.......this is beginning to look suspicious.

[maddezmom]

46. CNNI now reporting the same

expect Aaron Brown to come on soon to give the update.

[Maestro]

47. Well

not really. This is the one year anniversary of the Iraq war plus the US just mounted a big military push in Afghanistan. Maceda, Brown all most probably already had interviews with Musharraf and this just happened. I am all for conspiracies but I doubt this(military operations) could be orquestrated like this. However, Musharraf certainly could have said, "Hey, I have interviews scheduled. Let's deploy the military and see what happens."

[berner59]

50. Now Fox saying no...

They are trying SOOOO hard to make sure this isn't happening...WTF???

It's not "time" yet???? They are all scrambling here trying to discredit the story - how transparent is this???

[LionInWinter]

52. Nothing to see here. Go watch your basketball ...

Tune back in in October. Thanks!

[Teaser]

53. Saying "no what"?

What are they saying isn't happening? It isn't Zawahiri? Or no high value target there?

[berner59]

54. no # 2....

They're saying that pentagon is saying it's not that guy...Zawahiri...

I'm sure they're freaking out..."not yet you Bozos...we said Oct!!!"

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

55. It might be Zawahiri

They might just stuff him into a cooler for a few months.

[Sparkly]

56. "Drug him,

and get him to a spider hole in Afghanistan -- we'll pick him up later."

[DeepModem Mom]

57. Sky News UK (Murdoch) saying no, too --

what the heck?

[DeepModem Mom]

62. Now Sky not saying much at all -- maybe Fox and Friends...

just caught off guard --

[Teaser]

64. arg!!!

What's going on?1?

[maddezmom]

65. Pakistani Intelligence is confirming it's the #2 guy

reporting now on CNNI

[Ganja Ninja]

67. It's #2 because #1's in the freezer waiting for the R's convention.

[BigBigBear]

71. Al-Zawahiri is a big deal

This guy is ruthless, brilliant and if anything, more anti-Western than OBL. He's also OBL's personal physician, I believe.

If it's him and they actually get him, you may just see all hell break loose.

[madmax]

72. Isn't this the area that both Kerry and Clark

said the US should have concentrated on after we went into Afganistan? Or damn close to it?

Instead bush* decided to attack Iraq :shrug:

[papau]

76. Yes

Above from the BBC

:-)

[Teaser]

80. Setting up for Zawahiri's "escape"?

link

Read down until the update from Aaron Brown on page 4.

[tom_paine]

81. Sounds like the Busheviks told the Pakistanis "Go!"

Naturally, it would have been premature to tell them "Go!" before now.

Or so it would be to Imperial Scum like the Busheviks.

[mbperrin]

86. OK, so is this guy #2? Or

No. 2 Al Qaeda Terrorist May Have Been Killed
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2001 -- Air strikes in Afghanistan may have killed Mohammed Atef, the No. 2 man in the Al Qaeda terrorist network, Pentagon officials said today.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov2001/n11162001_200111168.html



or

Alleged No. 2 al Qaeda man in US custody in Pakistan
( 2002-04-02 15:10 ) (7 )


The capture of Abu Zubaydah, Al Qaeda's top surviving operational commander, is one of the most significant accomplishments in the US war on terrorism, officials and experts said Monday.

In Zubaydah's head, US officials believe, are the names, faces and locations of numerous Al Qaeda operatives the world over.

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2002-04/02/content_113884.htm

I mean, how many #2's do we get to claim here?

Just asking.

[KurtNilsen]

87. Zawahiri is definetly the real McCoy. In many ways more

important than OBL himself. Atef was important, but not as important as OBL and Zawahiri.

[BigBigBear]

89. Agreed

Al-Zawahiri is the Real Deal.

[Heyo]

90. I think they mean it's like a pyramind structure....

Osama at the top...

Next level down is a few guys which make up the second tier, and so on..

... al-Zawahiri is the last one left from that teir...


I personally don't see it that way... I see Ayman as the #2 and Osama's right hand man... the rest of them are just high level planners (i.e. to scared to do these suicide operations themselves)

Ayman is the real deal.... ever see some of the older footage of him?.. like when he was spouting off from that jail cell after being arrested for involvement in the Saddat assasination...

This dude is the actual *real* meaning of the word "terrorist"

Heyo

[pacifictiger]

94. charlie rose

did a very interesting interview last night - didn't catch the guy's name, but he was an expert on the brilliant Dr. Zawahiri. I didn't realize that besides being exceptionally intelligent, he also came from a very wealthy and politically prominent family in egypt. Zawahiri became committed to the idea of a rebirth of islamic empire while he was still in his teens and apparently thinks he has a rightful place in rulership because of ancestry. He is incensed that Egypt's Murbarik comes from a decidedly middle to lower class family. The guy Charlie was interviewing had copies of Zawahiri's police records from when he was imprisoned and tortured following the Sadat asassination. He said that Zawahiri came up with the alqaida idea and had the people network in place even before he inspired and subsequently teamed up with Osama in latter part of the 90's, and that Osama only brought to the table money connections and pr image. They met during the russian/us afghan war. Also, he mentioned that Zawahiri actually visited the US sometime during the 90's to raise money for the movement but was not very successful.

[TheWebHead]

88. reality check

You have Colin Powell accompanied by a foreign press pool in town, he's trying to get a big arms buy, and conveniently this story springs up. How the fuck does Musharraf know who is behind the curtain... as far as I'm concerned, it's probably just some pissed off tribe that doesn't like the idea of the Pakistani military going where they aren't welcome... it probably isn't even al Qaeda... But I hope it is, I'm just cynical.

[Sterling]

92. This reminds my of the UK version of Traffic

Anyone know what I mean?

[pinniped]

93. Did he flash his Al Qaeda ID card or something?

And just why do they suspect it's #2?

They been consulting Miss Cleo again?

[Mad_Bulgarian]

95. Usama Bin Laden is likely dead many months

but they must capture this man Zawirhi, he is very dangerous man.

[Fleshdancer]

98. I have a question....

Prior to this standoff, this Ayman al-Zawahiri guy was always referred to as OBL's "right hand man" from the reports I've seen. But now that we have him surrounded, suddenly he's referred to as the master mind behind 9/11 and the "brains". But if this is true, then what the hell does OBL do? I thought OBL was the brains and the evil mastermind so which is it?

Granted, I want both caught of course (assuming OBL is still alive) but it drives me crazy how suddenly some of these people sound much more important and involved in 9/11 only when we catch them or are close to catching them.

[pacifictiger]

100. Bin Laden

is the brains just slightly more than Bush is the brains behind the neocons. Zawahiri is more akin to a sort of richard perle or cheney role.

[LividLiberal]

99. Why has this been broadcast to the world for 2 days if it's true they have

the Al Queda #2 guy trapped?

Didn't we lose a couple guys this way once?