Osama has never failed in ensuring his tapes get released at the most politically opportune times - not for 'Al-Qaeda' - but for the Neo-Cons and the Bush administration.

On the eve of the Iraq war during Colin Powell's infamous presentation to the UN, an audio tape in which bin Laden claimed he was allied with Saddam Hussein surfaced, a gift-wrapped present for the Neo-Cons who had consistently been proven wrong in their assertion that there was a connection between Iraq and 9/11.

Alan, Birmingham, UK

Who can demonstrate that this 'Bin-Laden' is anyone other than an actor employed to justify America's military occupation of the middle-east?

Bob, Alaska,

It really doesn't matter if this is the "real" Bin Laden. The purpose of the video is to re-enforce the belief that a man living in a cave in Afghanistan is responsible for Terrorist attacks around the world. Most people will believe that without question. The video simply helps to make the masses more certain about the reality they're being fed. Most people will accept the video at face value (no pun intended)...as its from an official intelligence source ... job done.

Richard Forrester, Doncaster, UK

that's blatantly a poorly-disguised Eminem on the right there

nicko, london,

This article leaves out one very important thing about a muslim dyeing his beard, and that is that such dyeing IS permitted IF the beard is dyed BLACK as a warning that the muslim doing so has done it in PREPARATION FOR WAR, so that he may "appear younger" to the enemy, thereby causing fear in the enemy.

Dyeing one's beard for that reason IS PERMITTED.........

(it is also notable that bin laden also repeated his "invitation" to the West to "embrace" islam again, as that is also required PRIOR TO AN ATTACK ON AN "INFIDEL" NATION......

Pam, San Diego, USA

I'm not sure why it is taking so long to find him. We seam to only look when he puts out a new video. I cannot stand it when someone bases their life on the fears of others and thinks he is doing for the good of all mankind. What kind of life does he even have now? He was a millionaire or still is "whatever". Living in caves, kidnapping doctors, hiding from the US, France and others sound great, “not”. Just one thing to say, The US may be spending a lot of money trying to get these people and at time it may look like the fight is futile, but the US would be the last country I would want asking for my head!! I've been to our military bases there are a lot of things there can hurt you in ways you can only imagine. I love our country and everything we stand for. Bin Laden will be ours!!

James, Coldwater, USA / Ohio

oh look time to wheel out the bogeyman. Look America it's the nasty man who is going to kill us all.

We had better defend ourselves by invading a country that had nothing to do with 9/11 and was in fact a secular (non-religious) state that was actively fighting Al Qaeda. Killing 600,000 civilians in the process.

Wayne, New York,

This guy must have had plastic surgery.I simply do not believe it is him.This is just an amteurish attempt at a fake video. This is just so obvious without even deep observation.

Bello Inua, Barnsley,

it may be propoganda of the super power country also.

sunderm, albranko,

The very concept of threatening the Kafir - non believers - to convert to islam says everything about that religion in the past, the present and presumably the future.
What Churchill wrote about islam in "The River War" stands true today - 100 years later.

Gerald B., Aarhus, Denmark

How hard can he be to trace? I mean, how many pharmacies are there near Tora Bora that stock "Just For Men" beard colourant? Also, it's clearly only a matter of time before the Botox doctors are called in. I don't know who he's tarting himself up for but I guess it gets lonely out there!

Kevin, Reading, England

That's not Bin Laden guys. Its clearly an imposter. He's being kept alive like ElCid to frighten the opposition. Works for U.S. politicians too; they need a scarecrow to keep this insane war going.

Heckle and Jeckle, Los Angeles, CA USA

I can't believe no one has noticed the obvious - it's a fake beard. Either this isn't him - eye folds, eye brow and nose shape differences - or he has had plastic surgery to change his appearance. This person has also dyed the hair on their head as well. He's probably hanging out in Dubai on a yacht.

Fred Tucker, Lakeland, USA / FL

Another phoney Bin Laden tape . Any one with a modicum of intelligence can see that the 2001 bin laden -the real bin laden- has a different facial structure from the 2004 and 2007 fake bin laden tapes

ian , brighton, united kingdom

Osama? a poor bloke. looking ratish and used. he was once the ruling class in afganistan, belonged to the rich class in the whole arab world , lived large etc.
Dead or alive,his body ,is confined in a rat whole in the forest. IS HE OUR CURRENT BIBLICAL Nebuchadrezzar?
He has decieved others, they died and went to hell. Oooops, he may be lucky to repent, accept jesus to have a place in heaven. Only if he is alive.....................

beny, vgc, lagos

It's The Dread Pirate Roberts

Steve, Manchester, UK

Oh someone already beat me to the Just for Men joke!!! Congrats Michael in Austin.

V, London,

Maybe he's had a makeover for NY Fashion Week! Does the CIA think we are all idiot enough to believe this rubbish?

jase, paris,

All theorists need to ask one question . If this appeared on an Islamic website, have any Islamists questioned it's authenticity? Bin Laden is becoming narcissistic in his old age. I just love the headline.

Terry Nicholas, Radstock, England

A Bailey, do not say things you cannot prove.

Sami, hi,

Maybe the US 'intelligence' services can't see it, but this picture is a man who looks a lot like Osama, but it's not him. Look at the eyes and eyebrows! I don't think it's him at all, but some lookalike.

marp, brussels,

Usama looks a bit 'sexed' up.

mbawmba, Jamaica, Jamaica

You can read my full analysis of the beard and the pictures showing his progression through the years. Anyone who looks at the evidence will make the same conclusions. The video is a Hoax!
http://www.hotconflict.com/blog/2007/09/new-osama-bin-l.html

Saleem Siddiqui, Houston, TX, USA

After reading the transcript it sounds a little like OBL might be throwing his hat (keffiyeh) into the ring as a democrat presidential hopefull!! Instead of Obama '08 can you say Osama '08?

John Rand, Burnsville, MN USA

Osama family's website expired on 9-11-01 - the same day of the US terrorist attacks.

Proof and facts are at http://saudi-binladin-group.com. This can also be proved from various online articles (including Wired Magazine, Bloomberg, etc) , discussion groups and research tools such as dialog.com.

This is a little known bit in the media, but is very verifiable and is a fascinating and rarely documented part of the 9/11 story. Although a weird coincendence, it is an interesting part of the 9/11 story and shows such a bizarre syncronicity of events.

chris, los angeles, california

Interesting, he trimmed his beard... that is not too popular with his Taliban allies.

Jerry, Killeen, Texas

If you look closely, the eyes are different, the eyebrows are different, the sideburn edging is different, the lower lip is different, the shape of the face is even different!!! Poor imitation if you ask me.

In spite of the apparent differences, the "figure head" is still present and, as far as I am concerned, the threat remains because people see what they want to see and not what is actually there.

J. J. M, Kendall, New York

I don't believe that's him....its a stand-in. The facial structures are too different, eye sockets and nose bridge, cheek bones and mouth/chin appear different in the newer photo. I completely discount any claims that the pending broadcast is authentic.

Jim K., Roeland Park, KS, US

Maybe he's going to vent his frustrations about buying his Iphone 45 days ago and now seeing the lower prices. Just a thought.

rd, brown, us

Bin Laden goes Hollywood. Allah forbid...

Tony, Cannes, fr

Come on, that couldnt possibly be old Ben.

It must be an Austrian journalist trying to infiltrate an OPEC summit or an Australian journalist attempting to sneak his way in an APEC summit.

The man who got "a call from beyond the stars" (no kidding, he is tuned to the Arecibo radiotelescope) and wants to bring the "untammed fire of freedom" to the darkest corners of the world (somebody make him stop playing with that torch, please) owns the database where the answer is hidden.

Ronnie, PARIS, FRANCE

Why will Osama bin not strap a live bomb to himself and visit his allah, like he has already stated for the faithful of Islam.
As for his beard = only his diaper hairdresser knows for sure.
He is a sick sick sick dangerous individual.

Kreinbring, La Crosse, Wi.

I know Osama is dead. Couldn't they have done a better job of faking it. Just look at the poor man. He hasn't changed his clothes in 3 years. I think they did change the head shot , to be fair..

fra , Roma, Italia

Doesn't that look like a fake face?

The guy is probably an invalid – as he took a hit in Bora Bora, and forced to make the recording from bed.


Something dodgy about this one.

It looks to much like a paper cut out, with Bin Laden's voice as a voice over.

Blinky, Paris, France

I wouldn't be surprised if Bin Laden had look alikes, much like Saddam did. He is a wanted man, afterall. If you look at these pictures closely, there are differences that leave it open to speculation that these may not even be all the same person... Bin Laden's beard also is scraggly in most pictures, but in this newest one, his beard looks full and round (besides obviously being dyed). The eyebrows between pictures, too, indicate that this might be a "stand in" who looks like Bin Laden, giving a statement and passing himself off as Bin Laden. Something we should keep in mind.

Karen, Woodstock,

Maybe Bin Laden is just a computer generated fiction of somebody's mind ??????

bJ, Phoenix,

Imposter! bin is dead god damn his soul to hell.

mark, coppell, tx

IT AIN'T him.

MDB, St. Louis, Mo. / U.S.

I totally agree with Michael from Sandpoint, ID. Any person with vision can clearly see that this new picture is a fake Bin Laden. Basically all of his features have changed, look at his pictures...they consistently change, just like a chameleon. With the technology that we have today, shouldn't our government officails be able to use it to our advantage and see that this isn't the real Bin Laden? What are they thinking?

Carol, Starkville, MS

OMG, run to the hills, bin Laden has released a video after three years!!!! This means he's still a threat because he's got a new video. Funny, no one thinks Cher is a threat when she releases a new video...but maybe we should.

J.T., Seattle,

The new picture does not look like him! The eyes are set the same but look completely different! Are we even sure this is him!?

Name Withheld, London, GB

It hasn't been suggested that it is a different man? He seems to have completely different facial morphology, Different nose, different eye shape, different brow width/protrusion/arch.... And the newer image does not look healthier. The newer image appears heavier, more wrinkled, and oblivious. The previous image appears smooth and alert.

Kyle, Holyoke, Massachusettts

This is an obvious fake . Anyone with a modicum of artistic sensibility can see that facial structure is not the same. i.e alignment of ear to nose width /length of forehead cheek bones Bush and cronies must be getting desperate to put out such an obvious fake.

ian coulson, brighton, uk

Wearing a beard is not obligatory for Muslim men and is only “Sunna” or following the lifestyle of the Prophet Muhammad. THE MEDIA NEED TO GET THEIR FACTS RIGHT BEFORE THEY SAY STUFF LIKE THAT.

Burhan Uddin, Swansea, UK

we are tired of all this lies and mis-information.They keep creating new images and deceiving the entire world.If Osama really does exist and is on planet earth...then why is it difficult for the security agencies to get him.what is the use of the intelligence if they cant track a so-called ''terrorist'' from a video tape which are being posted year after yeah...there is something fishy about all this and we hope to find out soon.

haruna, Accra-Newtown, Ghana

it is an act of cowardice for a dude to hide and fight.

shino, owerri, nigeria

Revealing the lattest look of ben laden is very provocative.America should take steps to trace where this vedeo has been produced especially as september 11 is fast approaching.

Tonny banks, Ntem, Nigeria

Do these pictures really show the same man? There appear to be a number of differences that go beyond the merely cosmetic.

David Boon, Kirby Muxloe, UK

$50 million price tag on his head , 2 countries invaded the worlds most wanted man is still making statemens around the world!

omran, bradford, england

He actually uses Just for Jihadists brush-in gel. And he uses a grill brush as well. How else would you get through that rat's nest?

Chris, Grand Haven,

Dying one's beard is strictly forbidden under Islamic law. Any devout (Sunni) Muslim would be aghast at an image of a purported spokesperson with a dyed beard. It's okay to tint it with henna (only), but in that case gray hair appears orange. Pakistan is full of guys sporting huge orange beards, but there is no market whatsoever for Grecian formula, at least not among the Wahhabis.

So the story about the new Osama dying his hair doesn't work.

Mohammed, London, UK

The international community is gradually realizing that the global war against terrorism is winning. Concerned citizens against terrorism around the world should continously be aware and vigilant. Human intelligence is a very effective tool in fighting terrorism.

Vic, Oklahoma, OK

I suspect he is trying to improve his looks for the PR war he wages with his videos. By removing the gun and the combat clothes he looks less threatening to the viewer, by dyeing his beard he looks younger and healthier, and by trimming he doesn't look so much like a renegade but more like a serious religious leader.

Alex Fogerty, Wellington, New Zealand

Surely this is just a look-a-like? The nose is completely different as are the eyes and the space between the eyes and the eyebrows is greater. This only happens with a surgical browlift. Just another piece of false information and another blantant lie which these people are so good at doing.

elaine Black, sydney, australia

Wow! He does have a different look. Not only a diarker beard, but different facial features. This is one of the created Bin Ladens that have been put out on the media circuit over the years. Take a little time and compare pictures of Bin Laden over the years. Not only does he age, but he changes his face. He gets older, he gets younger too. This is as phoney as the threat is - as far as the threat actually coming from Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Bin Laden is all smoke and mirrors for something far more insidious.

Michael Pinchera, Sandpoint, ID

There are certainly some differences when it comes to the eyes and eyebrows. Has this video been analyzed by the intelligence agencies yet?

Not only that but, does radical islamic rule allow dyeing facial hair? That's pretty avant garde for such a primitive crowd.

Osama a metro-sexual?

OKE, NY, NY

Yeah! a phoney video created to keep the flame of hate going. Ofcourse I am talking about the so called fight against terror...

I think there have been other more critical times when Osama would have wanted to come out with a message, if he at all existed and wanted. The only person(s) who'd seem to get mileage out of this video is Mr. Bush and his gang of war mongers.

N. Lodhi, Reading, Berks, UK

I think 6 foot 5 inch Arab-looking man in Indonesia and the Philippines would probably be a little conspicuous...I'm pretty sure even US intelligence services are not that useless!

Reehan Sabri, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

With voiceprints, they probably authenticated the video.

aisgreen, Georgia, USA

He is dead and this is propaganda

Joe, joestown, pa

great, he looks fantastic, but he never was dead, im sure he has a long life thof

ffffffffff, mmmmm,

What I would say to Osama bin Laden.
Islam is ruled by the Old Testament. Christanity is ruled by the New Testament while using the Old for historical data. It is the LOVE in the New Testament that prevents the USA from unleashing its nuculear might upon YOU and your followers. You seem to give us NO choice but to forgo the love for human beings & unleash our wrath upon you. We find fault with our leadership but we DETEST you & your satanic followers. YOU and your followers will be defeated. How dare you give Americans options one of which is to covert to Islam. ALLAH is NOT with you or your followers. If those who gave their lives on YOUR behalf could speak to you now they would beg you to change your ways from hatred to love and they would tell you that they are in hell...not heaven and that it was YOU who misled them and caused them to spend eternity in hell.

A. Bailey, Clearwater, Florida/USA

This video is about as fake as the war on terror.

Sorry. not buying this politically timed video release.

mark, Ottawa,

These America security expert are obviously blind if they cant see that the latest pictures are not of Bin Laden....Like he has had the time to die his hair,and going by the latest younger appearance,a face lift!!! This is just getting ridiculous....and for people to belive in it all!

Sarah, birmingham,

Osama has turned himself into a rat. Before now, he wined and dinned with the rich class in IRAN, IRAQ, AFGANISTAN ETC. But today he wroughts in hole of a thick forest. his photo look dirty and ancient.

But how long will he last there? For ever? Will he live there for life? POOR DUDE.

CANY, TULDA, GHANA

Shame he hasn't been using eye-cream though.

Adam, Reading,

Isn't vanity a sin under Islam. It seems everything else is.

Mark, Chicago, IL

NOT THE SAME MAN!

Look closely at the photographs...the noses, mouths, and eye regions are different!

Garth Rex, Glendale Heights, USA

As human males age, our nose and ears keep growing. Osama's nose is bigger in the grey beard picture, which means the new black beard picture was taken long before the grey beard pic. Someone is trying to fool us. They're taking stock footage from long ago and passing it off as new. He is dead now.

mcgorsky, paris, france

Am I the only one that can see that this is not the same guy! For starters look at the nose of the man on the left it is much flatter on the end than the nose of the man on the right. (So I guess he got a nose job. Right!) Secondly look at the sneer (or smile) lines (what ever you wish to call them) on the man on the lefts face. They start much lower than the ones on the face of the man on the right. Also the man on the left has a much wider fore head than the man on the right which they are attempting to hide by putting the turban up higher on the man on the rights head. Not to mention that the shape of the head in the right picture is all wrong as well. Anyone with any type of artistic background will tell you that these are two entirely different people, but if you need more of an explanation email me and I will explain further.

Phantom, Lake of the Ozarks,

Looks like Bush / Chaney gave bin Laden enough time to get a kidney transplant and make sure it was a good one....Now he (bin Laden) maybe be good for another 20 years....

Judith, Errol, NH

There is a spelling mistake-Latest video reveals new look

trimming beards has been taboo among the
( Taieban) where men

hawadle, Ottawa, Canada

Live and let live.Get on together(with each other)NOW

John Dryden, Hull, UK

Thats not him, look at his nose. I think he is dead and in hell.

Dan, Palmyra, PA

Osama bin Laden and the whole Islamic world must really be detached from reality, if, they believe that America would give up democracy to convert to the religion of Islam. Yes! There are a few right wing liberals here in this country that would betray the American way of life but what is still not understood by Bin and his followers, is there a far more people in this country that would rather spill every last drop of American blood then convert to Islam, and give up our democracy that provides the all of the freedoms that we enjoy! We are the light of the world; the shinning example of what every nation on this earth should strive to be like. There will always be problems that need to constantly be worked on in our system; however, if there ever was an example to be followed it should be the example of the American Democracy. The worst aspects of American Democracy is still better then the best of Islam! NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER GIVE IN! AMERICA ALWAYS AMERICAN! GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY!!!

Shane, Minden , Louisiana

Dead or alive....the only difference it makes is being able to have the satisfaction or not of bringing him to justice. Other than that, there will always be another "Bin Laden" to procede this one, just called by another name. The important thing is to never forget that fact, and the reality that many seem to ignorantly disregard.....their looking for a permanent home, let's not let them call it Iraq, or tear down ours in the process.

Rebecca, Albany,

I am unconvinced that this is in fact bin Laden,like many of the worlds notorious, he does have body doubles and his hands are generally the giveaway! If his hands are not visible it is simply not him. As a devout Wahhabi Muslim it is certainly unlikely he would shave and trim his beard. Furthermore the question of appearing young and healthy may not work for the benefit of al Qaeda - unlike our culture it is not youth motivated rather, age implies wisdom and is thus revered. If we are to stay ahead in our assessment we need to stop thinking like westerners.

M.D. Johnson Author of "Circle Around The Sun", Annapolis, MD USA

THE ARABIAN BOND(s)


Just as we have different actors portraying James Bond in the movies, so it now seems, judging from the photos, that there are now different actors portraying Osama bin Laden.

Could this mean that the original bin Laden is now bin Laden in his grave?

Garth Rex, Glendale Heights, USA

short message from Maxim Belov At the moment me and my wife Anna Matskevich try to fight for our human rights in pro-islamic Russia. On 10-th,Sept.,2007 Anna Matskevich has court hearing about unlawfull claim of moslem seizers of her Moscow flat to make adjourning of their eviction which must be by decision of 20-th,June,2006 local moscow Kuzminry's court. Your sincerely

Maxim, Orehovo-Zuevo, Russia

bin laden is getting older by the day. nothing will stop almighty from claiming him and his final judgement. life is supreme, death is worthless!

pete krohn, quaker hill, connecticut usa

I think you will find that is a digitally enhanced photo; shurely shome mishtake??? He is dead.

jones, netherlands, netherlands

It’s not the same bloke! Why has he waited three years to come out of his hole when his mental squad were desperate to see if he was alive? Sadam had body doubles so why wouldn’t this nut job?

One last thing: al-Qaeda should invest in a decent camcorder because the rez on that thing is awful.

One last thought: I wonder who’s mother is proudest, Sadam’s or bin Laden’s.

Paul, Swansea, Wales

Wow! He does have a different look. Not only a diarker beard, but different facial features. This is one of the created Bin Ladens that have been put out on the media circuit over the years. Take a little time and compare pictures of Bin Laden over the years. Not only does he age, but he changes his face. He gets older, he gets younger too. This is as phoney as the threat is - as far as the threat actually coming from Bin Laden and Al Qaeda.

Michael Pinchera, Sandpoint, ID

Will the real Osama bin Laden please stand up? The "I am Spartacus" moment.

Andrew Milner, Karuizawa, Nagano

So he's alive and insecure enough to break out the Grecian 2000? We'll see.

Ellen Morris, Leeds,

Just for Men brush-in gel penetrates coarse facial hair. Lasts until the gray grows back. Each shade matches the same Just for Men head haircolor. Plus, you get multiple applications from one box. Check out our "How-To" Videos to see how easy it is!

michael allen, austin,

They have "Father" Bin Laden. We have Father Christmas. Thank God!

l.karremans, heusden,

Are they sure it's really bin Laden? Has he had a nose job, as well? His nose looks less thick at the bridge, less flat and longer than it does in the old photo.

Kate, Lakeside,

The eyebrows and nose are different in these photos of Bin Laden. Is it the same man?

jean michaelides, Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece