This selection first highlights information found in the MAJOR ISSUES portion of the bibliography that throws particular light on the nature, motives and actions of groups like Al-Qaeda. Second, it identifies selected articles from the New York Times, Economist, Associated Press and Reuters that relate to Osama bin Laden, starting one year prior to the incidents, in order to give you quick access to what was publicly known or suspected about his aims and activities prior to 11 Sep 01.

(1) Bruce Hoffman, Inside Terrorism (London: Victor Gollancz, 1998):-a broad but expert introduction to the nature, evolution, activities and future of terrorism by a world authority. It includes: terrorism’s many characteristics and definitions; the“internationalization”of terrorism, particularly by the PLO; the growing and very lethal role of zealous religious terrorists including Islamic extremists; the essential role of the media; terrorists’ changing tactics, targets and technologies; the future and particularly the potential of WMD. Economist 15 Aug 98:“The New Terrorism”(17-9):-article warns that“new”terrorism(e.g. recent attacks on US embassies Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania-both blamed on bin Laden)will be simultaneously more deadly/elusive than past forms. Big changes are underway in both motivation and means."In its latest mutation, politically motivated violence is vague about its long-term aims, but utterly ruthless in its short-term intentions...[A]new variety of killers apparently see destruction as an end in itself"(17),having amorphous or strongly anti-societal aims. Economist 29 Aug 98:“Punish and be Damned”(Editorial: 15, plus five relevant articles: 42,43,44,45,52):-published after the US military raids on bin Laden-related factory in Sudan and militants’ training camps in Afghanistan in reaction to terrorist attacks on embassies in Africa. The Editorial assesses the value of violent reprisals to major acts of terrorism causing global implications and horror, but where capture of the perpetrators is difficult. "If it resorts to punishment raids without the best of reasons [the aggrieved state] risks finding itself increasingly friendless in truly important disputes.... Vigilance, intelligence and...determined pursuit of terrorists through the courts may pay off handsomely in the long run - without putting at risk the world's sense of outrage and the help that comes with it". Bernard Lewis,“Licence to Kill: Usama bin Ladin’s Declaration of Jihad”in Foreign Affairs Vol.77/No.6(Nov/Dec 1998):-offers a valuable historical and religious gloss for the amazing, if largely ignored, declaration of jihad against“the Jews and the Crusaders”(sic)issued by bin Ladin(suspected of bombing the US embassies in Africa)and several Islamist leaders. The statement accuses the US of occupying, plundering and humiliating Islam’s holiest territory (i.e. Arabia)and planning to repeat(sic)the slaughter of a million(sic)Iraqis, for religious(sic) and economic reasons, and[of course]to serve Israel. Fatwa:“To kill Americans and their allies, both civil and military, is an individual duty of every Muslim who is able, in any [possible] country”(p.15). A specific demand for mass terror. Ian O. Lesser et al., Countering the New Terrorism (Santa Monica: RAND, 1999):-while written for USAF, most of the information and conclusions - products of decades of research, top experts and masses of material-are both timely and valuable for any person/body concerned with terrorism. Trends-characteristics: diversified structures/motives, and more lethal(WMD potential); geopolitically changing in origins/locations/targets-so new risks; fewer state sponsors, clear ideological/nationalist agendas or tight organizations; instead: diffused membership/ sponsorship, varied/ vague/religious aims, decentralized network structures. Advice: start prevention by reducing causes; strengthen deterrence e.g. by selective targeting; stress eliminating WMD danger; develop better surveillance, pooled Intelligence, allied cooperation, so you can retaliate when/where effective, make international terrorism more transparent, plus harder to find sanctuary, hide or get funding. [Canada has new legislation against financing terrorism.] Judith Miller“Some Charities Suspected of Terrorist Role”New York Times 19 Feb 00:-US officials claim have found a”common thread”between international terrorist attacks and“Islamic charities and relief organizations that they suspect are being used to move men, money and weapons across borders”. They believe Osama bin Laden relied on“at least nine such groups”in recent operations, while others have been linked to a multi-target plot in Jordan, the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, and terrorist attacks in Egypt. While 30+ are being examined,“[m]ost of the 6,000 Islamic groups operating worldwide are considered legitimate[,and] charities are often unaware that terrorists have used them”. Yet they provide excellent cover, as relief workers are welcomed almost everywhere and their shipments rarely checked. Hence US expert:“[t]hese charities and relief groups are a crucial part of terrorism’s infrastructure”. Mark Juergensmeyer, Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence (Berkeley: Univ. of California Press, 2000):-study of religious terrorism today. Book is about”public acts of violence... for which religion has provided the motivation, the justification, the organization, and the world view. [Its] goal is to understand why these acts were often associated with religious causes and why they have occurred with such frequency at this juncture in history...[Also,] why bad things are done by people who otherwise appear to be good - in cases of religious terrorism, by pious people dedicated to a moral vision of the world. [It offers many case studies of religious violence] both within their own cultural contexts and within the framework of [current] global social and political changes”(7). Also probes whether/how religious terrorism differs from other kinds - including “transcendent moralism”to justify the acts and“religious images of struggle and transformation”, and the great importance of“religion...fused with violent expressions of social aspirations, personal pride, and movements for political change”(10). In addition to mindset of perpetrators, author examines essential groups/communities that supported them, and their world view/ideologies (e.g. violence is simply responsive to others’ violence against group or to perceived oppression. Concludes with recommendations. Chapter 4, Islam’s“Neglected Duty”(60-83) deals specifically with Islamic religious terrorism and thus frequently with Osama bin Laden and his organization(s). Pages 61-9 report information obtained from Mahmud Abouhalima and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing - now even more directly connected with bin Laden than at time of interview. Pages 178-82 describe a number of(bin Laden’s) reasons to identify”America As Enemy”.

(2)The following articles have not been included elsewhere in the bibliography. All were published in, and derived from, the New York Times unless otherwise indicated (i.e. The Economist). Unfortunately the material is too extensive to provide a summary of each article, but an explanatory phrase(s) is added if an article’s title is ambiguous/ incomplete about its main contents. In addition, if an important event/fact that has not been mentioned previously serves to generate an article(s), it is briefly described. Associated Press“Arab Fighters Said Sent to Chechnya”29 Aug 00:-not the first sent by Osama bin Laden to fight Russians; Taliban is unhappy. Reuters“Bin Laden Groomed Yemen Ties for Two Years - Expert”20 Oct 00:-follows terrorist attack on USS Cole in Aden harbor; bin Laden has tribal ties in Yemen and may move there. Miller/Neil MacFarquhar“U.S. Got Warning on Egypt Islamic Group”20 Oct:-Egyptian Islamic Jihad is one of most“vicious terrorist groups in the region”and virtually one with Al-Qaida; warnings were general anti-US threats. AP“Guilty Plea in Embassy Bomb Case”20 Oct:-NY trial of 17 indicted in 1998 bombing of US embassies in Nairobi/Dar es Salaam; witness admitted to conspiring with bin Laden. Benjamin Weiser “Bin Ladin Linked to Embassy Blast by an Ex-Soldier”21 Oct:-more detail than AP report; aim: to attack any Western target, to force all to pull out of Mideast. John F. Burns “Remote Yemen May Be Key to Terrorist’s Past and Future”05 Nov:-long article on clannishness, conservatism, strict Wahhabi Islam, deeply frugal lifestyle and “passion for secrecy and conspiracy”of Hadhramaut, Yemen, and its strong influence on bin Laden. Reuters“Bin Laden Denies Link to Cole Blast, Kuwait Plot”13 Nov:-Kuwait arrests 6 members Islamist group for plotting attacks on US/other targets in Gulf area; bin Laden denies he/followers planned or implicated in any such acts. Burns“2 Saudis, With Ties to bin Laden, Linked to Cole Attack”23 Nov:-Yemenis state Cole bombers were Saudis with Hadhramaut origin and Afghan war experience; conclude bin Laden at least indirectly involved($5m reward); Yemenis who assisted them, soon on trial; FBI wants wider powers/inquiry, including DNA tests of Cole bombers to check ties with other anti-US terrorism. AP“Proposed Taliban Sanctions Worry UN”13 Dec:-existing UN sanctions prevent Afghan airline flying abroad etc. since Taliban refuse to extradite bin Laden re US embassy bombings (nearly 300 killed)claiming US lacks proof; US/Russia proposing arms embargo etc.; UN fears backlash against aid workers and peace efforts. AP“U.S. Vows Campaign Against Taliban”13 Dec:-US State Dept declares Afghanistan “haven of lawlessness”, harboring/training/financing terrorists(bin Laden), accounting for 72% world’s illicit opium; hence need more sanctions. Economist 16 Dec“The Taliban Dilemma”(44-5):-warns new UN sanctions against Kabul might reduce badly-needed foreign assistance: aid workers already leaving in fear of reprisals; WFP claims level of food aid per person required is world’s highest; UN civil-war peace-broking attempt likely”an early casualty”; war/sharia/crop failure/dire poverty all eliminate state services and created overwhelming refugee crisis. Barbara Crossette“Tough Sanctions Imposed on Taliban Government Splits U.N.”20 Dec:-UNSC votes 13-0-2 for sanctions cutting all air links, and imposing arms/military training embargo on Taliban(alone). UN removes remaining relief workers, after warning 1m could starve. Bin Laden assets frozen globally. UNSG, his special(peace) envoy, UN and private relief personnel, HRW and other NGOs all clearly opposed. Burns“Yemen on Delicate Path in bin Laden Hunt”15 Dec:- long interview with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. He criticized bin Laden’s jihad, and said he would support US efforts to seize him if found to be behind Cole bombing. However, warned US not to repeat 1998 cruise missile attack on bin Laden camps but instead to chase him down internationally and then bring before a court. Bin Laden and his aim of driving US military out of Arabia has much support in Yemen and elsewhere. Burns“Where bin Laden Has Roots, His Mystique Grows”31 Dec:-description of Al-Ribat, Yemen, ultra-isolated and -conservative home village of bin Laden family; Osama has influence in, and is influenced by it. Stephen Engelberg“Holy Warriors: One Man and a Global Web of Violence”14 Jan 01:-substantial and possibly unique history of Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda derived from interviews with personally-knowledgeable sources. First in three-part series: others follow immediately. Recommended. Miller“Holy Warriors: Dissecting a Terror Plot From Boston to Amman”15 Jan:-describes at length a foiled plot”to carry out terrorist attacks against the Jews and American interests in Jordan”at exactly the dawn of the millennium, when Amman and Christian holy sites in Jordan would be full of tourists. Trained in Afghanistan by Al-Qaeda/Osama bin Laden in use of explosives, a spontaneous and multinational suicide group collected the equivalent of 16 tons of TNT - enough to”flatten not only the Radisson[Hotel]but entire neighbourhoods”. Jordanian police caught 16 militants just in time, and obtained full/credible confessions. “Jordanian and American officials say what nearly happened in Jordan is a case study of how Osama bin Laden and his deputies, isolated in Afghanistan, greatly extend their reach by aiding locally initiated terrorism”. Miller“Holy Warriors: Killing for the Glory of God, in a Land Far From Home”16 Jan:-the description of a focus for Islamic militants from all over the world. ”If... international terrorism...has a home, it is Afghanistan, the place that comes closest to the extremists’ ideal of a state ruled by the strict code of Islamic law. Afghanistan is an inspiration, an essential base of operations, a reservoir of potential suicide bombers and a battle front where crucial ties are formed. It is also...where Osama bin Laden is experimenting with chemical weapons”. CIA estimates 50-70,000 militants from 55 countries may have trained here; up to 5,000 went through bin Laden camps, which offer training in small arms plus“explosives and logistics for terrorist attacks”. Taliban and bin Laden are mutually reinforcing. AP“Taliban Seeks Unity Against U.N.”15 Jan:-Mohammed Omar, supreme Taliban leader, appeals to fellow Muslim countries to oppose new UN arms embargo. This applies to his regime(supported by Pakistan and controlling 95% of Afghanistan)but not to opposition in north(supported with arms/funds by Russia, Iran and secular Central Asian governments). ”These sanctions will be the shame of those implementing them”. Miller “Welcome to Taliban Camp. Please Don’t Come In”16 Jan:-describes journalist’s unsuccessful attempts to enter any training camps, despite personal invitation from Taliban FM. Latter claims:“Nothing is hidden in Afghanistan”and there are no“jihadi” training camps or terrorists, although some Arab and non-Afghan”volunteers” from the war against the Soviet Union could not return home. Even with official”guide”, guards refuse entry on orders of Defense Ministry. AP“Afghans Bewildered by U.N. Sanctions”19 Jan:-around Jalalabad(where several bin Laden camps exist)ordinary Afghans claim it is the poorest who are being hurt by new UN sanctions. After the worst drought in 30 years, sanctions were seen to be making already miserable conditions worse. Although people seem aware sanctions’ rationale was Taliban’s refusal to give up bin Laden, reasoning is that UN - not Taliban - over-reacted because of one man. Reuters“Afghan Taliban Says Won’t Surrender Bin Laden”06 Feb:-Taliban denies report that regime would give up bin Laden in return for its recognition as the government of Afghanistan. FM claims hostile states would simply find another reason not to recognize. Meanwhile trial of four alleged bin Laden associates begins in New York federal court. They are charged with the 1998 terrorist bombing of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania [about 225 killed]. Weiser“Ex-Aide to bin Laden Describes Terror Campaign Aimed at U.S.”07 Feb:-contains substantial evidence about Al Qaeda’s organization and activities 1990-96 given at NY trial by Jamal Ahmed Al-Fadl, a Sudanese who claimed to have worked closely with bin Laden in Afghanistan and Sudan, transferring funds and arms to terrorists in Africa, Mideast. Offered information on global group’s structure, training camps, salaries, aliases, banking network and business ventures, and its cooperation with Hezbollah, Chechen rebels, Sudanese government. Alan Feuer“Terror Exports Are the Business of Jihad Inc.”13 Feb:-offers further information from Al-Fadl, including its Shura Council or executive panel, committee structure, profitable or front companies, newspaper, and plentiful funds. Miller and Sarah Lyall“Hunting bin Laden’s Allies, U.S. Extends Net to Europe”21 Feb:-describes anti-terrorist crack-down by British and German police. US perceives ties between those arrested(ten in Britain, four in Germany)and bin Laden. Omar Mahmood Abu Omar(Abu Qatada)in particular is believed to be a key European agent. Also, Britain just invoked tougher anti-terrorist law, France is trying 24 terrorism suspects, and Yemen arrested two in connection with Cole incident. Reuters“UN: Sanctions Against Taliban Not Hurting Afghans”24 Mar:-UNSC sanctions on Taliban regime described(Nov 99: rulers’s foreign assets frozen and Afghan international flights banned; Dec 00: Taliban overseas offices closed and arms embargo imposed)and their effects assessed by UNSG. Annan claims flight ban endangered internal flights by limiting imports of spare parts etc. but concludes sanctions had little impact on already-critical problems of ordinary Afghans(suffering from warfare, drought, displacement, and”lack of a single effective national authority”). AP “Algerian Is Found Guilty of Terrorism”07 Apr:-relates to terrorist plot to bomb US landmarks during millennium celebrations. Ahmed Ressam, arrested at Canadian-US border with explosives etc., was convicted in Los Angeles of international terrorism and 8 other charges, and in absentia on same day in Paris(with 16 others)for membership in web of Islamic militants. Co-defendant Abdelmajid Dahoumane will be tried in Algeria, and Mokhtar Haouari, arrested in Canada, is awaiting trial in NY. Much evidence provided by Abdel Ghani Meskini, arrested and pleaded guilty in NY. All Algerians. US officials claim Ressam was trained in Afghan terrorist camps and is linked to Osama bin Laden. Weiser“Violence Against Innocents Violates Islamic Law, a Cleric Testifies”25 Apr:-one defendant in NY trial on bombing of US embassies in Africa, Mohammed Saddiq Odeh(Jordan), called Imam Siraj Wahhaj as expert witness on Islam. Imam stated”that Muslims are not obliged to blindly obey their leaders and are prohibited from committing violent acts against innocent people even if their leaders say such actions are justified”. This attempt to”establish ethical boundaries for a jihad fighter”- Odeh left Nairobi before the bombing - caused split with positions being used by lawyers for Mohamed Rashed Daoud al-’Owhali(Saudi Arabia); Khalfan Khamis Mohamed(Tanzania); Wadih El-Hage (US),which included necessity to follow(Islamic)orders. AP “Terrorist is Said to Be Helping U.S. Prosecutors”27 May:-reports that Ressam(who faces up to 140 years)has offered to testify in NY trial of alleged co-conspirator Haouari. AP“Four Convicted in Embassy Bombings”29 May:-all four defendants in NY trial on 1998 bombing of US embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, were convicted of“conspiring to kill Americans”. In all, 224 people(12 US)were killed and thousands(sic)buried by the explosions. Six other defendants are already in custody, and 12 more, including Osama bin Laden,”are being sought”. Article outlines evidence at three-month trial. AP“Osama Bin Laden Still Hiding”30 May:-2-page summary of previously published material on bin Laden. Notes that he runs global terrorist network from mostly-Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, US accusation of involvement in 1998 embassy bombings and suspicion of involvement in 1999 bombing of USS Cole in Aden harbor(17 US sailors killed). Credits Pakistani government with trying to persuade Taliban to surrender bin Laden. Quotes from bin Laden speech urging Islamic youth to prepare for obligatory holy war. Ian Fisher/MacFarquhar“The Reaction: In Kenya, Compensation Is a Priority”31 May:- Four bin Laden men indicted New York for attack on US embassy Nairobi Aug 98. Taliban declares ruling unfair and will not extradite bin Laden:“He is a great holy warrior of Islam and a great benefactor of the Afghan people”. Kenya demands US fully compensates Nairobi victims. Weiser“Trial Poked Holes in Image of bin Laden’s Terrorist Group”31 May:-Long analysis of new views on Al Qaeda generated by NY trial: it produced growing optimism that organization’s inner workings becoming understood. Evidence proved it “was at times slipshod, torn by inner strife, betrayal, greed” and banality. Members share ideology but “a very limited direction”. New information also shows bin Laden seeking nuclear weapons, and had trained Somalis against US. In general: more proof of his guilt. Reuters“Afghan Taliban Warns UN Against Border Monitoring”7 Jun:-reports Taliban considering UN monitoring team on country’s border as hostile, “[UN]..have imposed unjust sanctions on us and also plan to impose some more.” UNSC imposes sanctions against Taliban in effort to force movement to hand over Bin Laden. Reuters“Indian Police Arrest Sudanese with Bin Laden Links”16 Jun:- Indian police capture Sudanese national with links to Bin Laden and planning to attack a US embassy. The arrested carrying high intensity explosives and had scouted possible attack on US embassy. AP“India Arrests 2 in Plot to Attack U.S. Embassy”17 Jun:-same report as above by different source. AP“Yemen Authorities Round Up Militants”19 Jun:-seven members of militant Muslim group believed to have fought with Bin Laden against Soviet forces Afghanistan, captured in Yemen. Found with hand grenades, small arms and map of US Embassy San`a. Believed planning suicide bombing of embassy. FBI/State Department officials link to bombing of USS Cole, “This increased threat in Yemen is, obviously, of concern to us in terms of our official personnel, but also in terms of travelling Americans and others”. Reuters“Paper Says Bin Laden Group Boasts of Cole Bombing” 19 Jun:-video tape shows Bin Laden boasting over bombing of Cole. In tape Bin Laden calls for new Holy War on US and Israel, claiming“The main(US)ministries are ruled by Jews”. Tape also contains footage of Muslim fighters in training camps. Emma Daly“Spain Arrests Terror Suspect Said to Be Linked to bin Laden”23 Jun:-Spanish police detain Muhammad Bensakhria, Algerian known to have close ties with Bin Laden. Spain’s interior minister states Bensakhria was “the Islamic Terrorist most wanted by the Western security services in the past few months”and added that detainee“was a leader of Al-Qaida”. Reuters“Afghan Taliban Dismiss Bin Laden Threat Reports”24 Jun:-Taliban dismiss reports bin Laden planning attacks against US and Israel. Spokesman states “All of Osama’s activities are under control in Afghanistan and he has no possibility to intensify his activities against any other country”. Correspondent in Turkey claims he has met Bin Laden and followers, who claim attack against US and Israel in next two weeks. AP“US Warns Taliban Over Bin Laden”29 Jun:-US ambassador William Milam issues warning Taliban would bear responsibility for any attack on US targets by Bin Laden. Taliban gives assurance Bin Laden will not plan attack against US or Israel while living in Afghanistan as guest. Laura Mansnerus/Miller“Terrorist Details His Training in Afghanistan”4 Jul:-Ahmed Ressam, Algerian convicted of attempting terrorist attack at Los Angeles airport testifies he had received money and training from camps in Afghanistan. Ressam describes training in light arms, explosives, assassinations and techniques for blowing up“infrastructure of a country”.He describes network of Afghan camps, filled with Algerians, Jordanians, Germans and others, who were trained for terrorist missions around world. Ressam points out Abu Zubaida, Palestinian known to report to Bin Laden, responsible for recruiting terrorist members. Barbara Crossette“Rights Group Says Taliban Aren’t Solely to Blame for the Afghan Disaster”13 Jul:-Human Rights Watch claims Taliban alone not responsible for Afghan economic/ social/political deterioration:“UN sanctions on arms and fuel to the Taliban are one-sided and strongly influenced by short-term Russian and US interests, not humanitarian goals”. Another source blames Pakistani government for arming/training Taliban fighters. Reuters“Bosnia Police Arrest Two Egyptian ‘Terrorists’”26 Jul:-claim both terrorists had ties with Bin Laden. Bosnian press states arrests conducted under pressure from US government and that one of arrested will be deported and handed over to CIA. One accused of killing of 58 tourists in Egypt 1997. Reuters“US Renews Bin Laden Surrender Demand to Taliban”02 Aug:-US renews demand for Bin Laden in Islamabad talks on UNSC Resolution on monitoring of UN sanctions against Taliban. US AS of State, Christina Rocca, said “monitoring mechanism and the sanctions themselves would not be necessary if the Taliban simply closed terrorist training camps and [by] sending Osama Bin Laden where he can be brought to justice”. Rocca also blames Taliban for obstructing delivery of aid to Afghans. Burns“F.B.I.’s Inquiry in Cole Attack Nearing a Halt”21 Aug:-Yemen denies FBI access to suspected Yemenis who collaborated in Cole attack and to find evidence linking attack with Bin Laden. Yemeni decision backed by FM Abu Bakr al-Qurbi who claims not allowing FBI investigation will protect country’s sovereignty, and that Cole attack also breached Yemeni security. Qurbi also argues that FBI refused to tell Yemen what it had learned about any connection between Cole attack and Bin Laden. AP“India Police Charge Osama Bin Laden”24 Aug:-Indian investigators capture four out of five terrorists planning to bomb US embassy New Delhi. Fifth man, Yemeni Abdul Rehman Al Safani, known to have been working for Bin Laden, has fled India. Group had intended to park car bomb in embassy visa section due to large number of people lining up to get US visas. AP“Islamists Vow to Block UN Monitors”26 Aug:-protest by several hundred Islamists will be held in Pakistan against UN monitors entering region. Monitors deployed to stop weapons shipments allegedly sent by Pakistan to Taliban. Meanwhile Pakistani government officials deny claim. Threat that revolt by many Muslims will take place if Pakistan allows entry of monitors: “We will sacrifice our lives to stop them”. AP“Algerian Indicted in Millennium Bomb Plot”28 Aug:-federal grand jury has indicted Haydar Abu Doha for attempting to use WMD to blow up Los Angeles airport. Doha is key figure in al-Qaeda network and met Bin Laden. Meeting mainly dealt with cooperation/coordination between group of Algerian terrorists and al-Qaeda, which Doha oversaw. AP“U.S. Agents Return to Yemen”03 Sept:-eight US investigators in Yemen to re-interview some of suspects Yemeni authorities have arrested known to be linked to Cole attack. Trial of suspected terrorists delayed due to FBI demand for more time to gather information on other suspects possibly involved in attack. Reuters“U.S. Issues Terrorist Warning for Americans in Japan”07 Sept:-Japanese officials receive unconfirmed information that terrorist actions may be taken against US military facilities, or establishments frequented by US military personnel. Similar warning also given to South Korea. Bin Laden reported behind many potential terrorist attacks against US and Israeli facilities in Asia where security relatively lax. Reuters “Pakistan Says Engage Afghan Taliban for Peace”07 Sept:-Pakistani FM Abdul Sattar argues his country does not have influence over Taliban since bilateral relations not good. Sattar also criticizes UN Afghan sanctions as”one-sided”since arms embargo does not apply to northern-based Opposition Alliance, and further claims UN sanctions prevent Pakistan following trade route to Central Asia. Reuters“Afghan Taliban Claim Gains in Fierce Fighting”08 Sept:-Taliban sources claim it has defeated Northern Alliance in key areas which Alliance controlled. Opposition responds that Taliban claim false, and regime has suffered many casualties. Burns“On Videotape, Bin Laden Charts a Violent Future”09 Sept:-description of Bin Laden videotape in which militant religious ideology is targeted against US and Israel. By boasting of Cole attack, Bin Laden has clearly taken responsibility for act. In videotape, Bin Laden threatens more attacks on US and Israel, promising intensified holy war by aiding Palestinians to fight against Israel. Using Muslim doctrine, Bin Laden assures followers Islamic faith will defeat US military might. Tape focuses on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, making it unclear if Bin Laden will target Israel or somewhere else. Reuters“U.S. Official Says Afghan Commander Masood Dead”10 Sept:-leader of Northern Opposition, Ahmed Shah Masood, reportedly died when a suicide bomber pretending to be a journalist, blew himself up in Masood’s office. No one has claimed responsibility for act, but Taliban denies any involvement. Masood’s followers give conflicting reports whether he survived attack. Barry Barak/James Risen“Reports Disagree on Fate of Anti-Taliban Rebel Chief” 11 Sept 01(sic):-conflicting reports on well-being of commander Masood after explosion in his quarters. According to his brother, leader is recuperating, while US intelligence strongly believes he is dead. Many in Opposition unclear if leader is dead or alive. Taliban denies any involvement in attack, but relieved their enemy has perished. Many speculate assassins were linked to Bin Laden, and that perhaps he is starting to take on bigger decision-making role. Reuters“Taliban Crank Up Offensive Masood Fate a Mystery”11 Sept 01(sic):-continued conflicting reports on Masood’s whereabouts after suicide bombing. No one has claimed responsibility for attack. Taliban denies any involvement in affair, while continuing combat with Northern Alliance. Opposition blames Taliban and Bin Laden for attack, partly due to their victorious offensive against Taliban which has lost dozen combatants and failed to defeat Alliance. Afghani currency has dropped further, showing impact of Masood’s death on economy. Reuters“Iran, West Urge Taliban to Restore Afghan Democracy”11 Sept 01 [obviously this article and two previous were written before authors learned of 9/11 tragedy!):-many UN diplomats including Germany, Iran and US condemned terrorist attack against commander Masood. UN diplomats perceive Afghan military action by Taliban/Northern Alliance unacceptable since military means do not bring solutions to war-torn country. Diplomats are urging both factions to negotiate and begin ceasefire so that dialogue among all parties can begin.

Columns by Thomas L.Friedman The following six columns by the highly-respected NYT commentator on Middle East affairs were all written prior to September 11, and selected and made available as a set by the editorial staff because of their relevance to international terrorism - and to the tragedy that had just taken place. The summaries are those provided by the paper itself, and possibly selected by Mr. Friedman personally.

“Digital Defense”27 Jul 01:-The more the Internet brings us together, the more vulnerable we are to a breakdown. The real threat to our country comes from cyberterrorists.

“A Memo From Osama”26 Jun 01:-Memo from: Osama bin Laden To: all field operatives

I love America. They think we rogues are going to attack them with and intercontinental ballistic missile with a return address on it. Are they kidding? We’ll use layers of local operatives, who can’t be traced to any country.

“Angry, Wired and Deadly”22 Aug 98:-President Clinton called Osama bin Laden’s terrorist group “a network not sponsored by any state, but as dangerous as any we face”. Nothing better summarizes the most immediate threat to America today. It is not from another superpower. It is from super-empowered angry men.

“Motives for the Bombing”08 Aug 98:-It is still unclear who is behind the evil bombing attacks against two U.S. embassies in Africa. Which countries or groups might have the capabilities and intentions to pull off such a twin attack?

“The Terrorist Question”04 Aug 97:-What do the suicide bombers in Jerusalem and New York City tell us? Something we already knew: There are Palestinian extremist groups that are nourished by terrorism against Jews--and it doesn’t matter who’s in power in Israel, how active the US is, or whether peace talks are moving or stalled.

“Beirut, Okla”23 Apr 95:-In Beirut, the car bomb was a symptom of a Lebanese way of life that had broken down. In Oklahoma City, the car bomb is an assault on an American way of life that is still thriving.

Bernard Lewis The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror(New York: Modern Library 03):- Lewis "examines the historical roots of the resentments that dominate the Islamic world today and that are increasingly being expressed in acts of terrorism. [He] is internationally recognized as one of our era's greatest historians of the Middle East[, and] his books have been translated into more than 20 languages, including Arabic/Persian/Turkish/Indonesian"[from dustcover]. Chapters generally move from past to present - but can even be read individually: Introduction; I Defining Islam; II The House of War; III From Crusaders to Imperialists; IV Discovering America; V Satan and the Soviets; VI Double Standards; VII A Failure of Modernity; VIII The Marriage of Saudi Power and Wahhabi Teaching; IX The Rise of Terrorism. Final paragraphs include: "For Usama bin Laden, his declaration of war against US marks the resumption of the struggle for religious dominance of the world. For him and his followers, this is a moment of opportunity... But there are others for whom US offers a different kind of temptation - the promise of human rights, of free institutions, and of a responsible and representative government... It is difficult for us to help those people, but at least we should not hinder them... Meanwhile, there is a more urgent problem. If the leaders of Al-Qa'ida can persuade the world of Islam to accept their views and their leadership, then a long and bitter struggle lies ahead... If the fundamentalists are correct in their calculations and succeed in their war, then a dark future awaits the world"; Sam Harris The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason(New York: W.W.Norton 2004):-relevant topic of“global”debate, both in, and about, its brilliant and persuasive evidence. An overwhelming impact relates to“the dangers of religion breeding conflict in a nuclear world”.The progressive arguments are very(not totally)persuasive if readers are willing and able to hear them with an open mind. Author carefully quotes the theology of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as derived from or“literally“found in their“God-inspired”ancient text-books. He then argues not only that it is unsupported by modern science, but obviously full of inaccuracy, illogicality, and ideas that were only acceptable, useful, and inspiring in the factually-uninformed worlds of our ancestors. He then provides evidence that in all three religions the“execution”of non-believers at the hands of faithful is approved, and indeed encouraged, in the holy texts. His examples of mass slaughter are provable, but in the Islamic case clearly identified with multiple Muslim terrorists who can be suicidal since their theology offers instant heavenly pleasures.“The world is simply ablaze with bad ideas.[S]till places where people are put to death for imaginary crimes - like blasphemy - and where the totality of a child’s education consists of his learning to recite from an ancient book of religious fiction. There are countries where women are denied almost every human liberty, except the liberty to breed.[Y]et, these same societies are quickly acquiring terrifying arsenals of advanced weaponry. If we cannot inspire the developing world, the Muslim world in particular, to pursue ends that are compatible with a global civilization, then dark future awaits all of us.”(224). Book makes many Islam-related arguments about the terrorist/suicidal rationale of Osama bin Laden and his supporters. New 2004 information: "Anonymous"Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing the War on Terror(DullesVA: Brassey's 04):-author is a senior US intelligence official with nearly 20 years experience in national security issues related to Afghanistan and South Asia. This strong critique of arrogant US/allies' policies towards Osama bin Laden/al Qaeda, and military action against Afghanistan/Iraq, proved quickly influential in many respects, and advocates less US loyalty to Israel/corrupt Muslim regimes or presence in Mideast. Motivation of Muslim terrorists is identified not as hatred/fear of Western national systems but of their broadly negative actions against Islamic peoples. All complex chapter titles: (1)Some Thoughts on the Power of Focused, Principled Hatred. (2) An Unprepared and Ignorant Lunge to Defeat - The US in Afghanistan. (3) Not Down, Not Out: Al Qaeda's Resiliency, Expansion, and Momentum. (4) The World's View of bin Laden: A Muslim Leader and Hero Coming into Focus? (5) Bin Laden Views the World: Some Old, Some New, and a Twist. (6) Blinding Hubris Abounding: Inflicting Defeat on Ourselves - Non-War, Leaks, and Missionary Democracy. (7) When the Enemy Sets the Stage: How US's Stubborn Obtuseness Aids Its Foes. (8) The Way Ahead: A Few Suggestions for Debate. Epilogue: No Basis for Optimism. New 2005 Information: While the above summaries all relate to the information about Osama bin Laden publicly available in the West as of 11 Sep 2001, two extremely informative articles were published in the New York Times on the fourth anniversary, 11 Sep 2005. The first is by "Mark Dannar, a professor of journalism and politics at the University of California at Berkeley and Bard College and the author, most recently, of Torture and Truth: America, Abu Ghraib and the War on Terror". The special article's title is "Taking Stock of the Forever War". Its brilliant aim is to explain how and why a world threatened by terrorism was created by the bin Laden blow against the US on 11 Sep 01. Even though the air attacks on that day were not the first examples of bin Laden terrorist acts against the US, their huge and shocking impact created a new atmosphere that is by no means limited to the US and/or to those millions who support or fear ben Laden's aims and potential. It explains with some care bin Laden's motives - essentially concerned about political/religious conditions in the Arab world, and considerably less so about the US, which however generally supported the unwanted Arab regimes and so could effect their collapse. The Bush regime's "war against terrorism" in Afghanistan and Iraq is analysed carefully from ben Laden's point of view, and determined as contributing on balance to his success. More important, the virtually global development of Al Qaeda supporters involves those able and willing to carry out ben Laden-relevant terrorist acts without needing any funds, technical information/explosives or orders from him. The second article is by "Mary Anne Weaver, who has been a Guggenheim fellow and a Council on Foreign Relations fellow this year, is the author of Pakistan: In the Shadow of Jihad and Afghanistan". The article's title is "Lost at Tora Bora" and constitutes perhaps the best information now available on the whole life of Osama ben Laden. It focuses, however, on his December 2001 escape from the Afghan mountainous redoubt known as Tora Bora, partly built by the CIA during the Soviet occupation of the country. He is described as moving to large, virtually uncontrolled area in Pakistan. Another major source of information: James F.Hoge Jr. & Gideon Rose edit. Understanding the War on Terror: A Foreign Affairs Book(New York: Council on Foreign Relations 05):-very useful 450p collection of relevant US officials'/experts' views/policy/information on the subject. All items were published following the crisis of 11 Sep 01 and are dated from then up to Oct 04. Chapters of the 28 articles/reports are titled: I The Enemy; II The War; III The Home Front; IV Less or More; V The State of Play. Inter alia texts: President Bush's Address to Joint Session of Congress 20 Sep 01; 9/11 Commission Staff Statements(3 under chapter I; 1 under II); twelve articles were published in Foreign Affairs. Identified authors (grouped by chapter): I: Doran, Cullison, Zakaria, Boroumand/L. & R., Laqueur; II: O'Hanlon, Cohen, Gause, Gershman, Carothers, Dobriansky/Carothers; III: Flynn, Betts, Roth, Wedgwood/Roth; IV: Howard, Byford, Boot; V: Stern, Pillar, Gerecht, Fallows, Gellman/Linzer. Reza Aslan No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam(New York: Random House 05):-The widely-read author defines his aim in the Prologue: "This book is not just critical reexamination of the origins and evolution of Islam, nor is it merely an account of the current struggle among Muslims to define the future of this magnificent yet misunderstood faith. This book is, above all else, an argument for reform"(xx). William Grimes, in his New York Times 04 May 05 review, quotes the book:"What is taking place now in the Muslim world is an internal conflict between Muslims, not an external battle between Islam and the West"(248). Grimes himself argues: "[Islam's] history, grippingly narrated and thoughtfully examined, takes up nearly all of 'No god but God'. Aslan... has written a literate, accessible introduction to Islam.,. carefully placing its message/rituals in historical context. Complete with glossary/annotated bibliography, it could easily serve as a college textbook". The 310-page book includes 21st century arguments: "[T]he attacks of 11 Sep 01 were not a defensive strike against a specific act of aggression against Islam. They were never sanctioned by a qualified mujtahid. They made no differentiation between combatant/noncombatant.,. indiscriminately killed women, children, and approximately 200 Muslims. In other words, they fell far short of the regulations imposed by Muhammad for a legitimate jihadi response, which is why, despite common perception in the West, they were so roundly condemned by the vast majority of the world's Muslims"(87). "Tragic events of 11 Sep... initiated a vibrant discourse among Muslims about meaning/message of Islam in 21st century... It may be too early to know who will write the next chapter of Islam's story, but it is not too early to recognize who will ultimately win the war between reform/counterreform... But the cleansing inevitable, and tide of reform cannot be stopped. Islamic Reformation is already here"(266). AP"Full Text of bin Laden Tape"NYT 19 Jan 2006:-"The following is the full text of a new audiotape from al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Parts of the tape were aired on Al-Jazeera television, which published the entire version on its Web site. The text was translated from the Arabic by The Associated Press. Bin Laden appears to be addressing the American people:" [Text when printed runs about two single-spaced pages. Following is major summary of AP's analysis "Arab TV Airs Audiotape Said to Be From bin Laden"NYT 19 Jan 06:] "Al-Jazeera... says al-Qaida is making preparations for attacks in US but offering a truce 'with fair conditions'. CIA authenticated the voice on tape as Osama bin Laden... It was first purported tape from the al-Qaida leader in more than a year - longest period without a message since the 11 Sep 01 suicides hijackings in US. Al-Jazeera said tape was recorded in Dec. Speaker refers to an alleged comment by President Bush about bombing the Qatar HQ of Al-Jazeera, which was first reported in British press on 22 Nov. He also refers indirectly to 07 Jul bombings in London that killed 56 people and to poll numbers that showed a fall in Bush's popularity, on Nov 05. US counterterror officials said [19 Jan 06] they have seen no specific or credible intelligence to indicate an upcoming al-Qaida attack on the country. US will not let up in war on terror despite the threats on the tape, said White House... No recent increase in 'chatter' that can indicate that such an attack is imminent. Voice on the tape... said he was directing his message to US people after polls showed that 'an overwhelming majority of you want the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq but (Bush) opposed that desire'. He said insurgents were winning the conflict in Iraq and warned that security measures in the West and US could not prevent attacks there. 'The proof of that is the explosions you have seen in the capitals of European nations', he said. 'The delay in similar operations happening in US has not been because of failure to break through your security measures. Operations are under preparation and you will see them in your homes the minute they are through (with preparations), and with God's permission'. Speaker did not spell out conditions for a truce in the excerpts aired by Al-Jazeera. 'We do not mind offering you a long-term truce with fair conditions that we adhere to', he said. 'We are a nation that God has forbidden to lie and cheat. So both sides can enjoy security and stability under this truce so we can build Iraq and Afghanistan, which have been destroyed in this war'... In...entire tape - but not aired - bin Laden makes an oblique reference to how to prevent new attacks on US, but does not specify if these are conditions for a truce. 'If I were president, I would stop the attacks on US: First I would apologize to all widows/orphans and those tortured. Then I would announce US interference in nations of the world has ended', he said. Last tape... was broadcast in Dec 04 by Al-Jazeera. In that, he endorsed al-Zarqawi as his deputy in Iraq and called for boycott of Iraqi elections. He issued numerous tapes in 03 and 04, calling for Muslims to attack... Bin Laden appeared in video released Oct 04, just ahead of US presidential elections. Since Dec 04, Zawahri has issued number of video and audiotapes, including claiming... London attacks... Al-Jazeera's editor-in-chief would not comment on when or where latest tape received. Full tape 10 minutes... Jeremy Bennie, terrorist analyst for Jane's Defense Weekly, said bin Laden appeared 'playing the peacemaker, the most statesmanlike character' with his offer of a truce. 'They want to promote the image they can launch attacks if and when it suits them... Message of powerful organization... Want us to believe they are in control', he said. Mention of rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan may be recognition of divisions among ranks of Islamic militants over the insurgency in Iraq by Zarqawi, who has come under criticism for attacks on Iraqi civilians. 'If turns out to be him [bin Laden?] initial significance of this is that he's still alive' former White House antiterrorism chief Richard A.Clarke said. Beyond that, he told AP 'the only new element in his statement is that they are planning an attack soon on US... Of truce offer, which Clarke said bin Laden had made before, 'I think it's designed to make him look more reasonable in Arab/Muslim eyes. [H]e obviously knows he can't affect US thinking... Too reviled'. Intelligence authorities were examining why bin Laden... would be speaking out after more than a year of letting his al-Zawahri serve as al-Qaida's public face... One counterterror official... suggested it was an attempt to show 'al-Qaida rank-and-file and the public at large that ...he's still around'"; Parallel articles include: Hassan M.Fattah"Bin Laden Warns of More Attacks; Proposes Truce"NYT 19 Jan 06:-"Breaking more than a year's silence, Osama bin Ladin warned Americans in an audiotape released [19 Jan] that Al Qaeda was planning more attacks on US, but he offered a 'long truce' on undefined terms"; and Reuters"New Tape, Old Threats as Bin Laden Breaks Silence"NYT 19 Jan 06:-"Osama bin Laden's first public message for over a year is a bid to show he is still in command of al Qaeda, but it falls back on old threats and tactics and fails to dispel doubts about his health, security analysts said"; The Economist 19 Jan 06"Politics This Week: Osama bin Laden": allegedly warned of fresh terrorist attacks in US in an audiotape broadcast by al-Jazeera, and also announced a surprising truce in Iraq and Afghanistan to assist reconstruction efforts there. If genuine, the tape represented bin Laden's first such address for over a year, following a videotaped message broadcast by al-Jazeera shortly before US's 2004 presidential election. Validation of the tape would scotch popular speculation that the al-Qaeda leader is incapacitated or dead"; Hassan M.Fattah"Al Qaeda's No.2 Follows Bin Laden's Lead and Resurfaces"NYT 20 Jan 06:-"Just a day after Osama bin Laden resurfaced in lengthy audiotape, a new recording by his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, appeared today, praising 'martyr of holy war' in Afghanistan, the Palestinian territories and elsewhere"; AP"Analysts Pore Over Bin Laden Tape Clues"NYT 20 Jan 06:-"[US] government sought [20 Jan] to pinpoint when Osama bin Laden recorded his most recent warning about planned attacks on US - a key fact that could help determine the risk that terrorists will carry out the threat"; Economist 20 Jan 06"Global Agenda: He's Back":"A new and bizarre audiotape believed to be recorded by Osama bin Laden has surfaced. In it, he both threatens US and offers a conditional truce. Its release follows a US attempt to kill Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Laden's deputy, with a missile attack in Pakistan. The tape serves as a reminder that al-Qaeda, and probably its leader, remain at large and eager to do more harm... Al-Jazeera is convinced that the tape is genuine, and so is the CIA. [A]s al-Jazeera stressed, bin Laden combined his threats with an offer to US of a 'long-term truce... based on mutual respect'... This not his first truce offer... But no one will be deluded into thinking bin Laden is offereng peace... Bin Laden seems to be trying, if crudely, to influence western politics with his truce offer... Reaction from Washington... was swift and predictable. 'We do not negotiate with terrorists. We put them out of business... at a time and place of our choosing'"; Hassan M.Fattah"Zawahiri Releases Audiotape"NYT 21 Jan 06:-"It was not immediately clear when the recording was made, or whether it had any connection to the release of bin Laden's recording"; Carlotta Gall & Mohammad Khan"Pakistan's Push in Border Areas Is Said to Falter"NYT 22 Jan 06:-"Two years after Pakistani Army began operations in border tribal areas to root out members of Al Qaeda and other foreign militants, Pakistani officials who know the area say the military campaign is bogged down, the local political administration is powerless and the militants are stronger than ever. Both Osama bin Laden, who released a new audiotape of threats against US this week, and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, are believed to be living somewhere in the seven districts that make up these tribal areas, which run for more than 500 miles along the rugged Afghan border"; Kareem Fahim"He's Got One Word for You: Hudna"NYT 22 Jan 06:-"In audiotape by Osama bin Laden... one word had seemingly far-reaching implications. Bin Laden, apparently addressing US people, offered a 'truce' - hudna, in Arabic - saying it could be 'long-term' and would provide an opportunity to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan. Bush administration quickly dismissed the offer... In reality, its definition is simple. Hudna in different variations can mean calm, tranquillity or an intermission. In language of politics, 'it means the cessation of hostilities, which does not necessarily imply the end of the conflict', said Rashid Khalidi, director of Columbia University's Middle East Institute. 'It's the standard term for an armistice'... Bin Laden's offer needs to be seen in the context of his three audiences, said Bernard Haykel, a professor of Islamic studies at NY University. For the first two, US and most of the Muslim world, the offer is simply of a truce. But for a third, much smaller audience of Muslims - Salafis, or scriptural literalists - bin Laden may be offering a hudna in part to boost his legitimacy as their leader, Professor Haykel said. In Islamic jurisprudence, offering a hudna is one of the prerogatives of a ruler... Part posture and partly sincere, bin Laden's offer of a hudna reinforces a theme repeated time and again in his speeches, Professor Haykel said: as the defender of Islam, he can reciprocate in offering violence or peace"; AP "Report: Israel Tried to Kill Bin Laden"NYT 26 Jan 06:-"Israeli intelligence was close to assassinating Osama bin Laden in 1996 with help of one of his confidantes, but the attack was derailed by a crisis with the Palestinians, a newspaper [Yediot Ahronot 26 Jan] reported"; Paul William Roberts"A Profile of the Prophet"Globe & Mail 11 Feb 06:-Focus: "The outrage sparked by the controversial cartoons published in Denmark has led many around the world to realize just how tenuous their grasp of Islam really is. To help fill the gap, Middle East specialist PAUL WILLIAM ROBERTS tells: the story of Mohammed and why it means so much to the Muslim faithful." [An excellent and sympathetic description of the origin and basic beliefs of the Islamic religion, written for Christian, Jewish, atheist, etc. readers, not to gain converts but to offer those with other philosophies and/or religious views an objective account that avoids assigning historical perfection. Viewed fair by my Islamic friends]. Noah Feldman"Becoming bin Laden: Review of 'Messages to the World: The Statements of Osama bin Laden'"New York Times 12 Feb 06:-published in Nov 05 by Verso, "James Howarth's English translation is ideomatic and creditable. Bruce Lawrence's notes are occasionally idiosyncratic... For most part, though, contextual explanations in volume will be helpful to those uninitiated in the discourses of contemporary Islamic radicalism". Comments on actual contents:"What makes collected speeches, interviews, Web postings and other public statements of Osama bin Laden different... is that... he gives reasons for his actions that, while morally outrageous and religiously irresponsible, could be accepted by otherwise logical people who shared his premises. Makes him more, not less, dangerous... Without words, in fact, bin Laden's violence could not achieve its stated goals... He does not claim to embrace violence for its own sake or in hope of hastening apocalypse. Rather, he purports to fulfill the twin duties of calling nonbelievers to Islam and defending Muslim community from attack. Goal of jihad ... needs words because bin Laden has no sizable army... Unable to subjugate West, bin Laden thinks his best bet is to inflict harm... and then blackmail his target... Real contribution of book is what it tells us about bin Laden's own development... This 'progress' tells us something potentially useful about path of radical Islamic ideology in recent years... It was a short step [for bin Laden] to try to replace scholars, offering his own interpretations of Islamic texts/traditions and presenting them as binding on believers. [His] 'legal' innovations are not minor...Over time, [he] has come to endorse the targeting of civilians. [C]lassical position was originally intended as legal justification for accidental killing of civilians under very limited circumstances... Bin Laden appears to have abandoned this... in favor of perverse claim that since US is democracy, all citizens bear responsibility for its government's actions, and civilians are therefore fair targets... Individual duty of jihad and targeting of innocents are the two indispensable pillars of jihadi movement as it exists today. Bin Laden's move to supplant scholarly tradition, arrogate authority to himself and embrace violence on grand scale represents power grab of historic significance... Trying to make himself legitimate decision maker, and thus leader. [His] innovations matter because they point way to defeating his arguments...In long run, only way to cut off international jihadi movement at root is for Muslims to conclude that own religious tradition does not countenance deviations of recent years". Many references to bin Laden in: Graham AllisonNuclear Terrorism: The Ultimate Preventable Catastrophe(New York: Owl Books/Henry Holk & Co 05):-extremely expert/influential report argues in INTRODUCTION that:"Given the number of actors with serious intent, the accessibility of weapons or nuclear materials from which elementary weapons could be constructed, and the almost limitless ways in which terrorists could smuggle a weapon through US borders, [i]n my own considered judgment, on the current path, a nuclear terrorist attack on US in the decade ahead is more likely than not"(15). First chapter concludes:"What all [major terrorist] groups have in common is a hatred of the US or the West, along with sophisticated organizational structures and access to technical know-how. [U]ncomfortable fact is that being the world's only superpower is inevitably going to breed resentment of one form or another - and it is impossible to mollify every single group. Challenge to US is to prevent these organizations from acquiring the means to threaten us with nuclear attack"(42).Then describes"unique destructive power of these terrible weapons", how/where they could be obtained, and where/when/how attacks might take place(43-120). Then describes policy changes to reduce chance of attack. List: priority to issue; standard for secure nuclear weapons/material; global alliance against nuclear terrorism; global clean-out of all dangerous fissile material; stop new national production of fissile material; shut down of nuclear black markets; block emergence of nuclear weapons states; full review of global nonproliferation regime; revise nuclear weapons' postures/pronouncements; global prosecuting war on terrorism(205). Emphasis is on US but essential involvement must be global. The Economist 04 Mar 06"Special Report: Sunnis and Shias: Does It Have To Be War?"(20-3):-"Iraq is obvious example, but not the only one, of new and alarming hostility between two faiths". Highlights: "Violent change... now looming most alarmingly... Bombs [against holy Shia tomb] ignited... sectarian bloodletting... for no reason [except]different sect ... Iraq's experience may be unique, yet far from being only example of tension between Sunnis, who make up 85% of world's 1.5billion Muslims, and multiple sects of Shia minority. Far apart as Pakistan/Lebanon, centrifugal momentum appears exacerbating sectarian feelings... Iran as ambitious Shia regional power ...combined with coming to power of Shias in Iraq, encourage greater assertiveness by Shias in the many countries where... historically disenfranchised. This, in turn, has aroused awareness of Sunnis to what many see as strangers in midst. Shia empowerment...matched by evolution of radical Sunni chauvinism ... In fact, throughout most of Islam's 14 centuries, Shia-Sunni divide...peaceful. Geography...largely separates sects... Shias tended to cluster in small, often isolated communities in centre of Muslim world - Levant, Indian subcontinent, Gulf - and on Arabic-, Turkish-, and Urdu-speaking fringes of Persia [now Iran]. In terms of... prayer/fasting, two not radically different... In mixed cities.,.sects often intermarried. [R]ecently, concerned Muslims made sincere attempts to reconcile branches...Shia scholar...declares the two branches share 97% of beliefs... Yet danger of conflict has always existed, ever since murder, 29 years after Muhammad's death 632AD, of Caliph Ali, Prophet's son-in-law... Shia derives from Arabic shi'at Ali/partisans of Ali; referred at first to political faction that believed leadership of Muslimcommunity should remain in hands of Prophet's family. [C]aliphate instead to rival branch of Muhammed's tribe... Over time, political division... into doctrinal splits, each branch elaborating own interpretations of sharia, or religious law. Sunni Muslims preserved unity by accept[ing] four rival, but equally valid legal schools of varying rigour. Shia Islam... into subsects over questions of whom to recognize as imam... While often remote from each other in beliefs, all...Shia sects retain relatively defined clerical hierarchies... Among growing... extremist Sunnis, fear Shias are...fifth column, whose mission to undermine faith... Belief has prompted discrimination against Shia communities... Recent sectarian hostility proliferate[s]... Yet taken together, what all...really show is that essential splits between Sunnis-Shias,..far more to do with politics than doctrine... Likelihood grand Shia alliance is slim. Since Sunni-Shia differences largely political, surely possible to resolve. Yet rising sense in both communities, not only in Iraq, of some kind of impending historical showdown. [G]lobal campaign against Islamist terrorism largely provoked by... radicalisation of numbers of Sunni Muslims, fired by ideas of return to 'pure' Islam/uniting Muslims into single nation...Most famous proponent, Osama bin Laden, always carefully refrained from reference to Shias... Yet he/many fellow-travellers [hold Shia] sect [as] elemental threat to Islam as whole... [Yet now] many Sunni leaders recognize... it is bad idea, especially in... diverse society, to bring religion-state too close together.[A]lternative possibilities of political alliance lost credibility.[But] temporary phenomenom -result of failure of secular parties/leaders[Hussein]. In time, both sects, now clinging political manifestation of Islam, may find common ground of secular politics is better place to contest rights"; The Economist 18 Mar 06"Pakistan: The Other Taliban"(41-2):-official summary: "The government fights to tame Islamist militants in northern Pakistan". Highlights relating to suspicion that Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, along the wild border with Afghanistan's most unstable south-west, may be hiding Osama bin Laden and/or his deputy Alman al-Zawahri: "No one knows how many people have been killed. [Pakistan's] army says 200, mostly 'militants'. The fugitives say many civilians were among them... For first half-century of the country's existence, Pakistan's government paid little attention to the tribal areas... That changed when US invaded Afghanistan in 2001, and thousands of al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, Pakistanis/Afghans, fled to tribal areas. Then Pakistan sent its army in. Policed by 80,000 soldiers and paramilitaries, most of the tribal areas are now under unprecedented central control... In North and South Waziristan, army has encountered fierce resistance from local tribesmen, assisted perhaps by surviving handful of foreign jihadists... In early 2004, fighting in South Waziristan caused several hundred deaths on both sides - and failed to deliver the 'high-value' al-Qaeda target that Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, had promised... Many in Pakistan now wonder whether the government's military campaign is making the tribal areas more radical, not less... Area is seeing a face-off between the army and the clerics. With insurgent violence worsening on both sides of border, the consequences could be grim; Reuters "Leave Pakistan or Die, Musharraf Warns Militants"NYT 23 Mar 06:-"Foreign militants hiding in Pakistan should either leave or face annihilation, President Pervez Musharraf said in strongly worded speech... Pakistan has captured or killed hundreds of al-Qaeda members since Musharraf joined US-led war on terrorism after 11 Sep 01 attacks on US. But security forces are still battling remnants of al Qaeda and their sympathizers among tribes on border with Afghanistan, and Osama bin Laden is widely believed to be hiding somewhere in Pakistan along with his deputy Ayman al-Zawahri. 'These foreign terrorists are not only spreading terrorism in Pakistan, but in the rest of the world', Musharraf told a rally... 'I want to warn them that they should leave Pakistan. Go away or we will finish them off', Musharraf said... Nevertheless, Pakistan's commitment... often comes under critical scrutiny from neighbours and Western governments alike... Over the years, Pakistan became a refuge for Islamist militants not only belonging to al Qaeda and remnants of Taliban militia ousted from Afghanistan, but also from Chechnya and Central Asia. Many settled in the semi-autonomous Pashtun tribal lands straddling the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan army has deployed up to 80,000 troops in the tribal lands but is still struggling to root out militants"; AP"Pakistani Forces Clash With Militants"NYT 24 Mar 06:-"Fighting in North Waziristan came day after President Musharraf ordered foreign militants to leave Pakistan or be 'crushed'. Clashes that reportedly killed scores of pro-Taliban tribesmen earlier [in Mar] heightened concerns that Pakistan was losing its grip on lawless region, possible hiding place for Osama bin Laden... Pakistan... has deployed thousands of troops in its tribal regions near Afghan border in an effort to flush out foreign militants/local supporters. Although tribal elders have claimed no foreigners in their areas, security officials say hundreds, including Arabs/Uzbeks/Chechens/Afghans are hiding in North and South Waziristan"; Faisal Devji Landscapes of the Jihad: Militancy . Morality . Modernity (Ithaca: Cornell Univ.Press 05):-very thoughtful analysis of Al-Qaeda's jihad motives behind the 11 Sep 01 attack against USA. To determine and describe this, the less-than-200-page book draws often on written/spoken rationales by Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri in particular. Following is derived from its own summary: "Devji focuses on the ethical content of [the Al-Qaeda's] jihad, as opposed to its purported political intent. Al-Qaeda differs radically from such groups as... Muslim Brotherhood and Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiyah, which aim to establish fundamentalist Islamist states. In fact,.. Al-Qaeda [has] a decentralized structure, and emphasis on moral rather than political action... Bin Laden and his lieutenants view their cause as a response to oppressive conditions faced by Muslim world[; not] an Islamic attempt to build states. Al-Qaeda culls diverse symbols/fragments from Islam's past in order to legitimize its global war against the 'metaphysical evil' emanating from the West. Most salient example of this assemblage... is concept of jihad itself, which Al-Qaeda defines as 'individual duty' incumbent on all Muslims, [and] weapon of spiritual conflict. Al Qaeda and its jihad, Devji suggests, are only the most visible manifestations of wider changes in the Muslim world. Such changes include fragmentation of traditional/fundamentalist forms of authority. [Hence] Al-Qaeda represents a dangerous new way of organizing Muslim belief/practice within a global landscape and does not require ideological/institutional unity. [Book] is at once a sophisticated work of historical/cultural analysis, and an invaluable guide to the world's most prominent terrorist movement". Edward Wong"Al Qaeda's Man in Iraq Gets Encouragement From His HQ"NYT 14 Apr 06:-"Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant has released an Internet video calling on Iraqi insurgents to remain strong in the fight against US and praising the leadership of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Jordanian militant who directs Al Qaeda's operations in Iraq. An introductory title on video indicates that lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahiri, recorded message last Nov, months after he is believed to have written a 6,000-word letter asking Zarqawi to refrain from slaughtering Shiites. In recent months, perhaps in response to letter, Zarqawi has not personally taken responsibility for any major attacks in Iraq. 'The Nation of Islam, I ask you to support your brothers, the mujahedeen in Iraq, and our brother, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, about whom I didn't see anything but good things the whole period I knew him', Zawahiri said in video, as translated by the SITE Institute, an organization that tracks terrorists' messages. 'I know him to be true, and how he is defending Islam with all his powers". In the video, Zawahiri wears a white turban and gray robes and has a thick beard, while an automatic rifle leans against a brown backdrop. A former physician from Egypt, he is believed to be hiding in the mountainous area that straddles Afghanistan and Pakistan"; AP"In Tape, Bin Laden Urges Fighters to Sudan"NYT 23 Apr 06:-"Osama bin Laden issued ominous new threats in an audiotape broadcast [23 Apr], saying the West was at war with Islam, and calling on his followers to go to Sudan to fight a proposed UN force. In his first new message in three months, bin Laden said the West's decision to cut off funds to the Palestinians because their Hamas leaders refuse to recognize Israel proved that the US and Europe were conducting 'a Zionist crusader war on Islam'. 'The blockade which the West is imposing on the government of Hamas proves that there is a Zionist crusader war on Islam', said the speaker on the tape broadcast by Al-Jazeera network. 'I say that this war is the joint responsibility of the people and governments. While the war continues, the people renew their allegiance to their rulers and politicians, and continue to send their sons to our countries to fight us'. The voice on the tape sounded strong and resembled that on previous recordings attributed to bin Laden. There was no way to independently verify the authenticity of the tape... Israeli government spokesman... said bin Laden had decided to attack Israel to deflect growing Arab animosity toward al-Qaida... Al-Qaida is believed to have no direct links to Hamas, which is an outgrowth of the Muslim Brotherhood, but they share an anti-Israel ideology that calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. Recent media reports in Mideast have said al-Qaida is building cells in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Sudan... Bin Laden also addressed the conflict in Sudan, where he was based before being expelled under threats from US. He then moved to Afghanistan and is believed to be hiding out in the rugged mountains on the Pakistani side of their common border. In Washington, US intelligence officials said bin Laden is separated from his top deputy and, in a sign he has to be careful about whom he trusts, surrounded by fellow Arabs. His No.2, Ayman al-Zawahri, is hiding in a more settled area along the border, also surrounded by al-Qaida operatives from Egypt... A three-year conflict between Darfur's rebels and the Arab-dominated central government has caused about 180,000 deaths - most from disease and hunger - and displaced 2m people. UN has described the conflict as the world's gravest humanitarian crisis. US has described it as genocide... 'I call on mujahedeen and their supporters, especially in Sudan and the