It sounds like the almighty leader of Al Qaeda, is disappointed that the west (U.S.) did not accept his offer of a truce a couple of months back. I wonder if the mountain life is getting to him.

Reuters has this: Bin Laden says West waging "crusader war" on Islam-TV

DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden said Western efforts to isolate the Palestinian Hamas government and the Darfur crisis in Sudan were examples of the West's "crusader war" against Islam, according to an audiotape aired on Sunday.

"This is a crusader-Zionist war," said the speaker who sounded like the Saudi-born militant in the tape aired on Al Jazeera television.

"And they (Western leaders) do not want a truce unless it is from our side only ... they insist on continuing their crusader campaign against our nation and to loot our wealth," bin Laden said.

In an audiotape issued in January bin Laden said al Qaeda was preparing attacks in the United States but the group was open to a conditional truce with Americans.

The AP has this: Alleged Osama Tape: West at War With Islam

CAIRO, Egypt - Osama bin Laden purportedly said in an audio tape broadcast by Al-Jazeera television Sunday that the West's decision to cut off funds to the Palestinians proved that the United States and Europe were at war with Islam. He also said the West was supporting what he called a "Zionist crusader war against Muslims."

"The blockade which the West is imposing on the government of Hamas proves that there is a Zionist crusader war on Islam," the speaker on the tape said.

"I say that this war is the joint responsibility of the people and the governments. While the war continues, the people renew their allegiance to their rulers and politicans and continue to send their sons to our countries to fight us."

Although the authenticity of the tape could not immediately be verified, it is believed to sound like bin Laden.

UPDATE: 3:15 EST - U.S. Intel believes the tapes are authentic.

Some think bin Laden is dead. Are the latest bin Laden Tapes Fake?
The AP on January 19, 2006:

"Al-Jazeera on Thursday broadcast portions of an audiotape purportedly from Osama bin Laden, saying al-Qaida is making preparations for attacks in the United States but offering a possible truce to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.....

There was no immediate confirmation of the tape's authenticity, although the voice resembled that of bin Laden's in previous messages.

Liberal Politics: U.S.

Ever notice how threatening Osama bin Laden tapes coincidentally emerge exactly when President George Bush most desperately needs to shore up his support? At The Moderate Voice, veteran journalist Joe Gandelman snarks, "The tape also indicates bin Laden (if it is him) follows the U.S. opinion polls."

Obviously the left wants to believe whatever will hurt Bush the most, but, what's the truth? I guess only time will tell.

Reuters Update: Bin Laden says West waging war on Islam

More here: NEW BIN LADEN TAPE: "CRUSADER WAR"