I wonder if American history can identify a single individual known by name to the entire population and feared and hated by the people and the government. What is most annoying is that the ogre is their own creation. US is known to pick up individuals and nations as friends and discard them as enemies as and when it suits its interest. In this case the choice was not theirs, as Osama having been disillusioned with America's sincerity and fair play turned against them in the name of Islam. It is still debatable to what extent Osama-bin-Laden was personally involved in various terrorist attacks against US interests around the world or whether he masterminded 9/11 but America has convinced itself that he alone is the villain of the peace.
When all their attempts failed to capture, kill or neutralise him, Bush invaded Afghanistan to get him. Taliban regime, which had hosted Osama, was overthrown but the main target escaped them. Now after 30 months, notwithstanding all the witch-hunting, USA is in the dark about Osama's whereabouts. They are not even sure whether he is alive or dead. America has employed all its resources including money, military power, cooperation of several countries and its own sophisticated intelligence apparatus without any success.
Osama is listed as America's enemy No. 1 and huge momentary reward is offered for information leading to his capture dead or alive. While he has been branded as a Satan and a monster - a heartless cruel terrorist by the West, he is taken as a Saint and a Soldier of Islam dedicated to his mission by his co-religionists. His mission is interpreted as Jehad to punish America for the excesses it has committed against Muslim countries and their faith Islam.
Various Intelligence Agencies and Anti-terrorist Organisations in US and other western countries have prepared voluminous dossiers to understand Osama. He is a born millionaire, a Saudi aristocrat and western educated. Why and how he has become a terrorist? The materialist Americans simply cannot fathom the driving force of spiritual commitment to faith. Though born a Saudi, Osama has now no nationality; perhaps he regards himself as a citizen of the nation of Islam. He does not own any territory, nor does he command an army but he has no dearth of soldiers to fight for him. Al-Qaeda has evolved into a battalion of volunteers who value the cause more than their life. Western armies are less bold and enterprising as they are concerned with saving their own skin. They want to win war by superior technology and sophisticated weapons. Osama's followers are fearless because they are not afraid of death and hence resort to suicide bombing. But at the same time the West has learned not to underestimate their intelligence in planning and strategy. How else to account for 9/11? As many as 19 well off, educated and trained individuals managed to infiltrate America notwithstanding stringent immigration checks. Many of them learnt to fly Boeings. On the D-day they simultaneously boarded regular commercial flights from different airports and hijacked the planes and flew with extraordinary accuracy to hit the predetermined targets. WTT were apparently unprotected but Pentagon was one of the most guarded buildings. The precision and coordination boggles the mind.
Al-Qaeda though displaced from its headquarters in Afghanistan has by now grown into an octopus with tentacles reaching around the world. They have struck across the globe from north to south with impunity making CIA, FIA and a multitude of anti-terrorist agencies look impotent.
Admitted that Al-Qaeda soldiers are not mercenaries but their activities do need finances. Where does the money come from? Osama himself is said to be rich in his own rights but his funds cannot be unlimited. It is therefore evident that quite a few countries and individuals sympathetic to the cause donate freely and money keeps on coming despite America's attempts to plug the flow. USA should realise that the genie is out of the bottle and even when Osama is no more, the Islamic radicals would continue their activities with redoubled energy and determination.
On the other hand the American administration is confident in its belief that a criminal can run but cannot escape justice as they see it. Unlike Pakistan police the US law enforcement agencies never close the case unsolved and pursue relentlessly until the suspect is apprehended even if it takes years. In the case of Osama they are bent upon revenge and subscribe to the theory that revenge is a dish which tastes better taken cold.
Full marks to Osama for rattling the mighty Superpower. But I wonder if Islam permits killing innocent people in pursuit of goals, however noble? Obviously the concept of Jehad is misinterpreted and misused. Even in the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), diplomacy and peaceful negotiations were preferred over wars as evidenced by the Treaty "Sulah Hudaibia". Incidentally does Osama think that he can bring America to the heel by ongoing terrorist attacks around the world? Righteous truth must triumph but not necessarily by use of force. Osama is known to be a pious and practicing Muslim. But by no means he is an ascetic. He is reported to have married more than once and has procreated a number of children. May be he could be having 4 wives at a given time as permitted by his faith. He is soft spoken, sophisticated and benign in appearance. He hates western culture but has the least hesitation to make use of their technology if it suits his purpose. Along with rosary he always keeps a riffle by his side. He is supposed to be a good marksman. Unlike Saddam he is not likely to be captured alive. When cornered he would fight to death to deny jubilation in America.
When America won the war in Afghanistan Osama and his close associates escaped to the range of mountains called Tora Bora on the eastern border of the country. American forces pursued and ransacked the caves and the gullies to catch him without success. He is reported to be constantly on the move along Pak-Afghan borders. It is alleged that he is sheltered by pro-Taliban elements on Afghan and Pakistan territory. Pakistan having joined international anti-terrorism, strong pressure is being brought on Musharraf to help capture Osama. The tribal area in the north-east though a part of Pakistan is traditionally independent and fiercely resistant to interference from Islamabad. Musharraf is, therefore, on the horns of dilemma. On the one hand he cannot afford to displease USA whose economic assistance sustains the country and on the other he realises that any successful overt action on his part would not only antagonise the Tribal Agencies but also a vast majority of people within Pakistan who are sympathic to Osama and his mission.
As it is he is facing political opposition in the country and his success against Osama would be exploited by MMA to bring about his downfall. All his talk about tolerant, moderate, enlightened and progressive Islam may be good for the western ears but would not save him from the wrath of the radicals. Three attempts have already been made on his life. He has survived. He may be a courageous lion, but I doubt if he is a cat with nine lives.