The country is two days into its attack on Afghanistan,and one of the commodities lacking is information. American, British and other alliance partners have had a day to study their satellite maps and another night to recalibrate their targeting tools, but there's still very little known about the effect of the bombing on Osama Bin Laden, the movements of refugees, and whether the hold of the Taliban has been signifigantly loosened by the aerial bombardment.
The calculated release of Bin Laden's taunting words are further reminder, if any was needed, that the battle is proceeding in precisely the apocalyptic fashion he intended all along. What's more, the current western fascination with the roaring tailrace of fighter jets and the flash of cruise missiles is obscuring the conversation over the larger issues at stake.
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Larry Goodson, author of "Afghanistan's Endless War"
Barry Posen, professor of Political Science at the MIT Security Studies Program
Neamat Nojumi, former freedom fighter in Afghanistan
