James S. Robbins on Saudi Arabia and Long Term Strategy of Terrorists on National Review Online

Bombing Saudi, OilOsama’s flip-flop.

"One frequently hears that terrorists are long-term strategists. They plan in terms of decades, if not centuries." This is due to their being willing to see the long fight to the end just like, according to author James S. Robbins, "what we used to hear about the Soviets before their empire collapsed around them."

I like the fact that Robbins says that he has, "never given the bad guys any special credit for being long-term thinkers." The point of his article is that Osama may be spoken of as having the patience as terrorist do in general, however, the recent failed attempt at the Abqaiq oil processing plant in Saudi Arabia "shows that Osama bin Laden may be getting a little frustrated with the wait."

Bin Laden's 1996 declaration of war, spoke of not destroying the Saudi oil fields and production facilities; this he planned to use for wealth once Al Quaeda had succeeded in cowing or defeating the West/U.S. and replacing the Saudis. What the recent attack shows, according to Robbins is that "Osama has flip-flopped. According to a post on a jihadist website, terrorists from al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula attacked the Abqaiq site at the personal direction of bin Laden."

This is an attempt to quicken the process he (feels) he has set in motion.

Good read.