September 6, 2007, Osama bin Laden video
| Company type | Media division of a terrorist organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media production |
| Founder | Osama bin Laden (implied) |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Osama bin Laden |
| Products | Videos, propaganda materials |
| Owner | al-Qaeda |
| Parent | al-Qaeda |
The 2007 Osama bin Laden video initially emerged as a banner advertisement on an Islamic extremist website affiliated with al-Qaeda on September 6, 2007. This ad displayed bin Laden's portrait alongside the emblem of al-Qaeda's media division, As-Sahab. The translated caption stated: "Soon, by God's will, a new visual recording from the Sheikh, the Lion, Osama bin Laden. May God safeguard him."
Its debut was timed to coincide with the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Bin Laden's last video appearance prior to this was in 2004.
By September 7, U.S. officials had secured a copy before its formal release. Shortly thereafter, Reuters disseminated a one-minute segment obtained from BNO News.
Contents
Note: The following overview is derived from the video and transcript provided by The Counterterrorism Blog.
In the roughly 26-minute recording entitled "The Solution," bin Laden is shown seated wearing traditional garments and sporting a shorter, darker beard compared to his 2004 appearance. Addressing the "People of America," he refrains from issuing explicit threats. Rather, he offers a critique of American culture and foreign policies, juxtaposing them with Islamic principles. The September 11 attacks and Iraq War are referenced repeatedly, culminating in an appeal for Americans to embrace Islam.
Prominent topics covered include:
- The 62nd anniversary marking the US Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- The impact of the Democrat-led Congress
- The influence wielded by multinational corporations
- Issues surrounding Global warming and the Kyoto Accord
- The ongoing War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
- The Dissolution of the Soviet Union
- Historical occurrences such as the Kennedy Assassination, Vietnam War, Spanish Inquisition, and treatment of Indigenous peoples of the Americas
- Criticism directed at both Capitalist and Communist regimes for misleading their citizens
Individuals referenced include:
- Former UK Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown
- Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy
- Intellectual and activist Noam Chomsky
- Ex-CIA analyst and author Michael Scheuer
Bin Laden alludes to a European intellectual who foresaw the collapse of the Soviet Union, believed to be Emmanuel Todd and his work After the Empire: The Breakdown of the American Order.
He also cites statements from a U.S. soldier in Iraq named Joshua:
- It would be advantageous for you to heed the heartfelt messages from your soldiers stationed in Iraq, who are sacrificing—through their blood, nerves, and fragmented limbs....Among them is Joshua’s poignant message conveyed via media, where he wipes away tears and harshly criticizes American politicians, inviting them to experience his reality firsthand for a few days.
These remarks were featured in an ABC News report dated July 16, 2007; bin Laden attributes them to Corporal Joshua Lake mentioned in that coverage.
Questions concerning authenticity
Certain unusual elements within the video cast suspicion on its genuineness:
- Osama bin Laden is shown with a neater, darker beard and is dressed identically to his appearance in the October 2004 footage.
- Mentions of contemporary events at the time of the video's release—such as the 62nd anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Japan and references to Sarkozy and Brown as leaders of France and the United Kingdom—occur exclusively during paused frames, not during Bin Laden’s speech.
Reaction to the video
At the APEC Summit in Sydney, President George W. Bush remarked:
- This recording serves as a reminder of the perilous world we inhabit, underscoring the need for collective efforts to safeguard our citizens.
He further stated:
- I noted the mention of Iraq, which highlights that Iraq remains a central front in the battle against extremists. If Al-Qaeda brings up Iraq, it signals their intent to push us out.
Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend, speaking on Fox News Sunday, observed:
- The prior audiotape was released in June 2006, and the last video before that dated back to 2004. This represents about as much as he can manage—a fugitive with limited influence aside from these recordings.
Islamic scholar Sliman Abu Rahman from Amman told Al Jazeera English:
- Earlier addresses suggested possible truces; now he insists on conversion. This stance is disconnected from reality and lacks any credible political aims.
Former CIA analyst Michael Scheuer commented on CNN’s The Situation Room:
- His demand for conversion functions as an explicit warning of a forthcoming severe attack. Islamic tradition often involves warning adversaries before striking by offering conversion or peace.
Scheuer also presented an in-depth examination at the Jamestown Foundation.
Security expert M.J. Gohel from the Asia-Pacific Foundation told The Washington Post:
- The diction and style are reminiscent of messages by Adam Gadahn, sharing comparable themes and tone.
Second video
A second video emerged on September 11, 2007, featuring Osama bin Laden delivering a eulogy for 9/11 hijacker Waleed al-Shehri. The footage begins with a 14-minute segment narrated by a voice identified as bin Laden’s, displayed over a static image consistent with his look from the September 7, 2007 video. The subsequent 33 minutes consist of al-Shehri reading his testament.
See also
- Videos of Ayman al-Zawahiri
- 2004 Osama bin Laden video
- Videos of Osama bin Laden
- Messages to the World: The Statements of Osama bin Laden