Bin Laden Lauds Costs Of War to US

In a full version of Osama bin Laden’s recent videotaped address, the al-Qaeda leader thanked current US president George W. Bush for helping him bankrupt America. “It has appeared to some analysts and diplomats that the White House and we are playing as one team toward the economic goals of the United States, even if the intentions differ," he said. According to bin Laden, the US invasion of Iraq overextended America’s resources; the subsequent economic recession delighted al-Qaeda. Bush’s commitment to the war on terrorism also made his administration easy for terrorist groups to manipulate, said bin Laden. The videotape highlights two contentious issues – terrorism and economy – which are particularly crucial, in light of US elections. – YaleGlobal