The Financial Crisis, Osama bin Laden and His Prophecy – Die Zeit

An interesting narrative surrounding the financial crisis that hasn’t gotten much attention is this: Is the near fiscal collapse of the United States the fulfillment of Osama bin Laden’s original plans for the downfall of the United States, laid out in his 1996 Fatwa?

According to Ulrich Ladurner of the German newspaper Die Zeit, that is exactly how he and his followers see it. Ladurner writes in part:

“Since the United States is experiencing a crisis of monumental proportions, Osama must genuinely feel that his prophecy has become a reality. More than a decade ago, he set out to vanquish America and its villainous puppets in the Arabian Gulf – nothing more, nothing less. Back then this must have appeared like folly, because the U.S. was at the zenith of its power and Osama and his people were considered nothing more than a fanatical gang of murderers.

“Today we are witnessing the rapid decline of the United States, a trend which some consider to be irreversible. Osama has victory in his sights. Whether that’s true or not shouldn’t be debated here. This is about recognizing that this is the view of Osama bin Laden. This is about catching a glimpse of the world of ideas espoused by these fanatics.”

An interesting if disturbing article.

By Ulrich Ladurner

Translated By James Jacobson

October 8, 2008

Germany – Die Zeit – Original Article (German)

If Osama bin Laden is still alive, these days are happy ones for him. He must be saying to his supporters: “You see, our mortal enemy is dying!” Everyone will nod approvingly and go on greedily absorbing all the news from the United States. Every subsequent crash on the stock market will illicit the words: “Allah is Great!”

Since the United States is experiencing a crisis of monumental proportions, Osama must genuinely feel that his prophecy has become a reality. More than a decade ago, he set out to vanquish America and its villainous puppets in the Arabian Gulf – nothing more, nothing less. Back then this must have appeared like folly, because the U.S. was at the zenith of its power and Osama and his people were considered nothing more than a fanatical gang of murderers.

Today we are witnessing the rapid decline of the United States, a trend which some consider to be irreversible. Osama has victory in his sights. Whether that’s true or not shouldn’t be debated here. This is about recognizing that this is the view of Osama bin Laden. This is about catching a glimpse of the world of ideas espoused by these fanatics.

READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated and English-language foreign press coverage of the unfolding financial crisis.