About Iran

If it was proven that Osama Bin Laden was receiving asylum in Iran as it was proven that Afghanistan was providing a safe haven for Osama bin Laden under the Taliban and the United States demanded that the Iranian government turn over Bin Laden, would Iran do so?

They might. Reasons for: the deal they could negotiate at the bargaining table. They could try to make the US sign a "Get off my Back" policy, in exchange for Bin Laden.

They might not. Reasons against: Iran has already prosecuted some members, and would not give in to US demands to extradite them. Since they already have their deal with the IAEA and the EU, they may likely just ignore the US, and do whatever with him.

On another note, if they got him, why would you have any reason to believe that this would be made public? Iran would surely understand the potential consequences of that, and would more likely try to negotiate through more secretive channels. At least at first. To go public with that news, could force the US to demand that he be handed over, and this time with some serious threats. Public pressure may become too great knowing that Bin Laden was in Iran, captured, or not.

But the more I read, the more I am favoring the possibility that Bin Laden may be in China. I think the lure of about 5 million Laden followers in some very rough parts of China could have worked, and especially if Beijing was involved, as some say, to get Bin Laden to calm down some militants that are causing Beijing some trouble.

But whos knows, Stanley Hilton claims Bin Laden has been dead for many years. Others say he has long been captured, and is being held. Still others maintain that he is simply a CIA puppet, and is used at will, so it doesn't really matter.

Yup, lots of good reading round here. Only trouble is, good luck figuring it all out.

I thought bin Laden died 3 years ago...?

Alive or dead, though, he's kinda like Goldstein in the book 1984. Someone for people to boo and hiss at.