U.S., Afghanistan: Bin Laden's Message and al Qaeda's Status

An audio recording attributed to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, distributed by al Qaeda's media wing As-Sahab, surfaced on various jihadist Web sites on Sept. 13. Though it came out two days after Sept. 11, the message was designed to coincide with the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The recording addressed the U.S. public but was in Arabic, without any English translation. The delay in the recording's release, along with the lack of an English translation, seems to indicate al Qaeda's continuing decline.