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January 25, 2010

THE DISEMBODIED ONE

Since the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden has become his mediated persona. No longer able to appear in public, uncomfortable with video footage (which is typically filled with visual details that might divulge his whereabouts), he has now resorted to existing as a disembodied voice on occasionally dispensed audiotape. He is bin Laden as Golem, as spectral presence, as Voice From on High (or Low).

Now comes a new recording, confirmed by intelligence analysts, warning of an imminent attack. Bin Laden's wording, as explained in this wire-service story by Agence France Press, echoes the religious phrases he has used in previous threatening messages that presaged attacks.

Osama bin Laden, a man long thought to have spent his days in a cave, continues to have a sophisticated grasp of new media - and of 21st century scare tactics.

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