Al Jazeera (Arabic) is broadcasting a new audio tape from al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. This is his second audio message in as many days. Bin Laden has not mentioned, as far as I’ve heard so far on the recording, Pakistan or Afghanistan. His focus is Palestine. His major point: jihad in Iraq will lead to the liberation of Palestine. Bin Laden’s audience is Arabs. He’s attempting to 1) claim ownership over the Palestine issue, exploiting the divisions among Palestinians and the deterioration of Gaza; 2) link (and revive) the issue of Iraq, where the insurgency has declined since the fall, with the primordial Arab grievance — Palestine.

Update – 4:05PM (New York): Al Jazeera English has provided a translated segment of the audio tape (see below).