A Rhetorical Analysis of Three Messages to America by Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden was the founder and leader of the Anti-West extremist organization al Qaeda. He believed that the West, particularly the United States, needed to be held accountable for its supposed transgressions against the global community. It was this belief that led to the devastating attacks against the United States on September 11th. Immediately following the attacks the American public stood together in disbelief and shock unaware of the meaning behind such a catastrophe. In an attempt to clarify the intent of al Qaeda, despite his role as America’s number one enemy, Osama bin Laden repeatedly released recordings to the rightfully hostile American audience. Despite the fact that bin Laden had declare war on America he considered it important to try to justify his actions. His repeated attempts to persuade Americans of his motives fell on deaf ears. Americans were seeking justice for 9/11, not justification. This text analyzed the rhetoric of three of bin Laden’s addresses directed toward the American people in an attempt to find his purpose for addressing his enemy.