Article

2003-09-08 Terror Networks

Hunt for Osama bin Laden Narrowed to Hostile, Rugged Region of Pakistan

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by tu3031 2003-09-08 3:22:01 PM|| || Front Page|| [10 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 One of GW's basic tenants (no pun intended) was that if you harbor terrorists you will be dealt with just like the terrorists. These guys are caught up in their tribal traditions a little too heavily. They need the heat turned up on them just like with the Taliban and see that actions have consequences. We are fighting this thing with both hands tied behind our back with this hundred yards meters cubits thing and that is crap. Pakistan will go slower the closer we get to Binny. It is time for at least one glove to come off for us.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2003-9-8 3:42:32 PM|| 2003-9-8 3:42:32 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Osama, two "ferocious tribes", and two towns "infested with al Qaeda supporters". Sounds like a great target to me. Nuke 'em.

Posted by Tom 2003-9-8 3:46:14 PM|| 2003-9-8 3:46:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Moab into the 21st Century!

(my new motto for the tribal areas)

Posted by Frank G 2003-9-8 3:53:14 PM|| 2003-9-8 3:53:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Actually, the care and feeding of OBL and whatever entourage he has requires a fair bit of resources. It wouldn't be so bad if he were left alive for awhile since it freezes some of the Soddi $ that otherwise would be committed to other terrorists.

Posted by mhw 2003-9-8 4:29:15 PM|| 2003-9-8 4:29:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Plus there is the fact that as soon as we have a confirmed capture of kill of OBL, how many democrats will say "war's over, bring the boys home!"

Posted by Steve 2003-9-8 4:38:46 PM|| 2003-9-8 4:38:46 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 I think we need a more subtle touch then MOAB or Nukes here. Perhaps some special forces to sneak in and capture OBL and Omar (and if they happen to lop off the heads of these tribes at the same time so much the better).

Posted by GregJ 2003-9-8 4:39:02 PM|| 2003-9-8 4:39:02 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Neutron bomb woulda been sweet for this.

Posted by Rex Mundi 2003-9-8 4:40:21 PM|| 2003-9-8 4:40:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 The picture this article creates is an almost completely isolated and ineffective OBL--he can't organize or implement international operations and his sphere of real influence is about 40 square miles. I hope this is true.

Posted by sludj 2003-9-8 4:58:04 PM|| 2003-9-8 4:58:04 PM|| Front Page Top

#9 A mushroom cloud and a crater would send a message that ought to be sent. I wouldn't risk the life of one special forces member just to put Osama's and Omar's heads on stakes. I can go MOAB if you guys aren't willing to make the "axis of evil" pee in their pants.

Posted by Tom 2003-9-8 5:03:13 PM|| 2003-9-8 5:03:13 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 ...a very hostile area in terms of geography, mountains, terrain, ravines and two ferocious tribes, the Wazirs and the Mahsuds who dominate the area"

Hmmm...

You guys need any blankets?...

Posted by mojo 2003-9-8 5:10:25 PM|| 2003-9-8 5:10:25 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 I suggest some napalm. That'll put the idea in their heads that a little heat is what they're going to feel when their time on this planet is up, and with any luck it'll be pretty soon.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2003-9-8 6:09:26 PM|| 2003-9-8 6:09:26 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 "40 square miles"

Of course, if you ironed out the wrinkles in that map, it's more like 400 square miles....

That being said, that area is not *that* large. It's about the size of an average township here in New England. Assuming they have him pinpointed correctly to be within that area, I would say that the only real problem now is to figure out exactly how to nab him...

Posted by Carl in NH 2003-9-8 7:08:45 PM|| 2003-9-8 7:08:45 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 Not all chemical compounds are deadly. Some can have some interesting side effects, however. Can you see this valley carpeted with mothballs impregnated with a retch gas? Load up the sealed containers into a half-dozen C-141's, make several runs over the terrain, dropping more each time. Give the stuff about twelve hours to work, then go in in scuba gear, shovel down to the ones we want, and leave. The rest will decompose and make nice compost for whoever takes over the area next.

Posted by Old Patriot 2003-9-8 7:21:30 PM|| [http://users.codenet.net/mweather/default.htm] 2003-9-8 7:21:30 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 "revenge, hospitality and honor"

We have those too. Sadly we are all out of hospitality and honor.

Posted by flash91 - fatwah you talkin bout willis 2003-9-8 7:42:23 PM|| 2003-9-8 7:42:23 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 "40 square miles"

Are they talking a square 40 miles on a side?
Or one only about 100 grid squares? (6.3 X 6.3 miles)

Posted by Dave 2003-9-8 8:11:19 PM|| 2003-9-8 8:11:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 The tribal code also focuses on revenge, hospitality and honor

Hell this sounds like the Southeastern Conference... let's send in the Dawgs.

Posted by Shipman 2003-9-8 8:24:19 PM|| 2003-9-8 8:24:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#17 Actually a Moab would still leave a skeleton once all the flesh smolders away. OBL is abnormally tall unless he is always been photographed by the Pakistani midget terrorst for operation deception purposes.

Posted by Anonymous 2003-9-8 8:42:21 PM|| 2003-9-8 8:42:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#18 The thing is, if the US were to take out this area we would be doing a lot towards stabalizing Pakistan, in the long run. In the short run it might be bad for the dictator general.

I laughed at the blanket comment. This time the blankets can be coated with diaharia causing bacteria. I'd love to see these guys spending all day either praying to Mecca or praying at the toilet while the US and Pakistan decide what to do.

Posted by Yank 2003-9-8 9:33:29 PM|| 2003-9-8 9:33:29 PM|| Front Page Top

#19 Fierce tribes my ass. Get Tactical on the these cavemen and watch the honor drain away in a pool of blood. I said my prayer "May it be today". I'm sick to death of tribalism. Cavemen were tribal, Stone age was tribal.

Posted by Lucky 2003-9-8 10:24:04 PM|| 2003-9-8 10:24:04 PM|| Front Page Top

#20 There's a mismatch here: These hicks don't want government control beyond 100 yards, don't want to be ruled as Pakistanis by Pakistani law, yet want to be counted and treated as Pakis when it comes to foreign influence.

Think of a guy who builds a factory outside the town limits, doesn't pay taxes, and doesn't want to submit to town regulations and zoning. He has no right to complain if the city fire department doesn't come when his factory catches fire, or the city police won't arrest the guys who stole the payroll.

Time for Pervez to say to these yahoos "No paki cover where there are no paki boots."

This sort of honor thing implies that the biggest honcho in the valley is hosting OBL. Find where this guy has his herds, send in the A-10s to buzz them and scare the be-zesus out of them. Maybe fire a few rounds from the gatling gun and blow some big rocks away. When the Big Man's racing camel can't race because it's nerves are shot to hell, you'll see OBL flying out on his ear jig-time.

Posted by Ptah 2003-9-8 10:30:22 PM|| [http://www.crusaderwarcollege.org] 2003-9-8 10:30:22 PM|| Front Page Top

23:47 Anonymous
09:43 Hiryu
01:25 Rex Mundi
00:44 Mike Kozlowski
00:12 mojo
00:03 True German Ally
23:08 Cog
23:05 Not Mike Moore
23:01 Bomb-a-rama
22:59 Not Mike Moore
22:55 Not Mike Moore
22:52 Not Mike Moore
22:47 Not Mike Moore
22:47 Not Mike Moore
22:44 Lucky
22:37 Bomb-a-rama
22:30 Ptah
22:24 Lucky
22:20 Frank G
22:16 Frank G
21:59 Frank G
21:52 john
21:35 Yank
21:33 Yank