Examine the White House PR strategy regarding Osama bin Laden

Overview: CIA Director George Tenet said Wednesday that messages from terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden are usually followed by terrorist attacks. So the audiotape released Tuesday that reportedly contains bin Laden's voice is under close examination, as U.S. officials listen for possible clues about a pending assault.

After students read "Hunt for bin Laden a daunting task" present the following:

RELATED • CNN.com: Administration: Prepare, don't panic  • CNN.com: Tenet: Past bin Laden messages followed by attacks  • The White House

1. Who is Osama bin Laden? Why is his name raising concerns in Washington, D.C.? How many resources has the U.S. government allocated to finding bin Laden? How does this figure compare with the resources assembled for the war with Iraq? How do you interpret this unequal equation? Do you think getting bin Laden is different from removing Saddam from power? Why or why not? If yes, in what ways do you think it is different?

2. According to this story, what are some of the drawbacks to sending a large, armed force to the region between Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to catch Osama bin Laden? How many troops does Bob Baer, a former CIA analyst, think it would take to catch bin Laden? What does Donald Rumsfeld have to say about the manhunt? What is your reaction to these statements?

3. Bob Baer states, "I think the cost would be horrendous. I mean, right now in Afghanistan we've got fire bases. We're keeping soldiers alive, and that's good. Going into a full-fledged war in Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan would draw us into a swamp worse than the Russians got into in the 80s." Mr. Baer is referring to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December, 1979. In the 1970s, Afghanistan became a focal point the Cold War between East and West. The Soviet Union fought a losing battle in a civil war in Afghanistan, much like the U.S. experience in Vietnam. In what ways must government officials and military strategists draw on past experiences and historical events when making policy decisions? What other historical events do you think officials might consider when making plans to catch bin Laden?

4. Ask students to consider the public relations dilemma that the U.S. government has in reporting to the American people on its progress, or lack of progress, with respect to catching Osama bin Laden. On the one hand, they want to instill confidence, on the other, as Mr. Baer points out, the U.S. just doesn't have the resources to fight both battles. Have students critique recent press releases, press conference transcripts and other public documents coming from the White House related to the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Do they think that the government is delivering the right messages? Why or why not? What message do students think the government should deliver to the American people? Challenge students to draft a message for the President to read in a live television address to the American people on the topic of the hunt for bin Laden.