Al-Qaeda head Osama Bin Laden was 'within grasp' of US

**Don** · 30-11-2009, 07:06 AM

BBC News - Al-Qaeda head Osama Bin Laden was 'within grasp' of US

The Senate Foriegn Relations Committee (Democratic Staff) has released it report concluding that in 2001 Osama bin Laden was in the grasp of US Forces in the region of Afganistan known as Tora Bora.

"The report says the "failure to finish the job" laid the foundation for "today's protracted Afghan insurgency and inflaming the internal strife now endangering Pakistan". "

The failure is essentially laid at the feet of the Bush administration and "hugh ranking commanders" for failing to heed the call for reinforcements from boots on the ground commanders.

Realizing that this is a somewhat biased democratic staff report, it has the ring of truth when the events are viewed in hindsight.

**Kiwi 1691** · 30-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Don

BBC News - Al-Qaeda head Osama Bin Laden was 'within grasp' of US

The Senate Foriegn Relations Committee (Democratic Staff) has released it report concluding that in 2001 Osama bin Laden was in the grasp of US Forces in the region of Afganistan known as Tora Bora.

"The report says the "failure to finish the job" laid the foundation for "today's protracted Afghan insurgency and inflaming the internal strife now endangering Pakistan". "

The failure is essentially laid at the feet of the Bush administration and "high ranking commanders" for failing to heed the call for reinforcements from boots on the ground commanders.

Realizing that this is a somewhat biased democratic staff report, it has the ring of truth when the events are viewed in hindsight.

This news is hardly new, last year I watched an interview on 60 minutes with a soldier from Delta. They spent alot of time in the mountains looking for him.

YouTube - The Hunt For Bin Laden

An interesting watch.

**Barry** · 30-11-2009, 11:04 AM

Isn't he more use at large than captured?
He keeps the figurehead of "Al Qaeda" alive and well.
If he were captured another head would grow.
Better the devil you armed and trained?

**Don** · 30-11-2009, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Kiwi 1691

This news is hardly new, last year I watched an interview on 60 minutes with a soldier from Delta. They spent alot of time in the mountains looking for him.

YouTube - The Hunt For Bin Laden

An interesting watch.

I beg to differ, the news is not that the boots on the ground troopers are saying we had him and he got away, the news is that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has laid the blame at the feet of Bush/Rumsfeld and higher command elements rather than the local commanders and troops. It was a command failure. It's one thing for an anonymous Delta operator to say we should have had him. It's quite another for one of the most powerful committees in Congress to fix blame.

Yes it is an interesting watch.

**Don** · 30-11-2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Barry

Isn't he more use at large than captured?
He keeps the figurehead of "Al Qaeda" alive and well.
If he were captured another head would grow.
Better the devil you armed and trained?

You may well have a point but personally I'd rather take a chance that the head that grew to replace him might not be as canny and well trained as he is. As we say in the states; "You pay your money and you take your chance."

DC · 07-12-2009, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Don

You may well have a point but personally I'd rather take a chance that the head that grew to replace him might not be as canny and well trained as he is. As we say in the states; "You pay your money and you take your chance."

Not always true, I'd say the current Taliban leader is far more dangerous than the last, he looks like he has a head on his shoulders.

As for Bin Laden, he's dead. I think the intelligence guys should come out and say that, it'll boost morale at home, lower Al Qaeda morale (as I bet at least half of their goons think they're fighting for him as a big hero), and if he is somehow still alive, force him to come out into the open.

**Don** · 07-12-2009, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by DCFGS3

Not always true, I'd say the current Taliban leader is far more dangerous than the last, he looks like he has a head on his shoulders.

As for Bin Laden, he's dead. I think the intelligence guys should come out and say that, it'll boost morale at home, lower Al Qaeda morale (as I bet at least half of their goons think they're fighting for him as a big hero), and if he is somehow still alive, force him to come out into the open.

It well could have the effects that you list, if it's true but without proof saying it could well backfire. I think you should either offer up proof that Bin Laden is dead or steer back into your lane. He may be, but until some proof is offered up, he's still the bogey man.