Robert Fisk: Bush and Blair have already lost the talking war across the Middle East - 9/11

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 09:32:56 GMT

Messrs Bush and Blair may tell the world they are going to win the war against terrorism but in the Middle East, where Osama bin Laden is acquiring almost mythic status among Arabs, they have already lost. Whether it be a Lebanese minister, a Saudi journalist, a Jordanian bank clerk or an Egyptian resident, the response is always the same: Mr bin Laden's voice, repeatedly beamed into millions of homes, articulates the demands and grievances – and fury – of Middle East Muslims who have seen their pro-Western presidents and kings and princes wriggling out of any serious criticism of the Anglo-American bombardment of Afghanistan. Viewing Mr bin Laden's latest video tape, Western nations concentrated (if they listened at all) on his remarks about the atrocities in the United States. If he expressed his approval, though denied any personal responsibility, didn't this mean that he was really behind the mass slaughter of 11 September?