Bin Laden's black beard baffles U.S. intelligence

[sabra]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence officials studying Osama bin Laden's videotape released last week said on Monday they were baffled by his new black beard.

"We don't know if it's dyed and trimmed, or real, but that's one of the things we are looking at," Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell told a Senate committee hearing. "The last time he appeared it was very different."

...

The beard has also mystified private analysts, who said bin Laden may be trying to enhance his image as a leader or who simply called it bizarre. M.J. Gohel of the Asia-Pacific Foundation said bin Laden looked "vain and ridiculous."

"It does not fit with the image he has so carefully nurtured, the masquerade of his being a holy warrior devoid of normal human traits," he said.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N10336082.htm

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