It is obvious that Osama Bin Laden has developed warped hatred toward America and the ruling family of Saudi Arabia for what he believes are defiling threats to his homeland and his malignant version of Islam.

Undoubtedly, Bin Laden is using attacks on America and the war in Afghanistan as springboards to enrage militant-leaning Muslims, overthrow the Saudi government, get the U.S. military out and return as the country's leader, just as the Ayatollah Khomeini did in Iran. However, his ultimate aspirations are more likely hegemonic control over the Middle East from a centralized Al-Qaeda, rather than setting up an Islamic Republic.

Saudi Arabia produces two-thirds of the oil from the Mideast and it has even larger oil reserves. Surely, it should be assumed that if Osama Bin Laden accomplishes his ambitions, he would cut off the United States, Great Britain and other countries who are out to destroy him. Thus, he could bring America and his other enemies to their economic knees.

But then, there are the bonfires of insanities between Israel and the Palestinians and, of course, Saddam Hussein's Hitlerism to deal with. Coupled with inconsistent U.S. foreign and Mideast policy, Osama Bin Laden's thinking and the world crisis over terrorism are about as clear as crude oil.

Daniel B. Jeffs, founder
The Direct Democracy Center