3.4 Anti-Geopolitics

As you read the Introduction to Part Five on Anti-Geopolitics and Osama bin Laden's "Letter to America," think critically and ask yourself:

• What is the utility of the concept of anti-geopolitics to the geospatial intelligence professional?
• Anti-geopolitics has apparently existed as long as there have been geopolitical discourses. However, these alternative discourses have historically been unknown or dismissed by the powerful, and marginalized or ignored by the press. How might have things been different historically if leaders and their intelligence providers had had a greater critical understanding of these alternative or opposing discourses?
• Osama bin Laden had been fairly clear in his discursive and material response to American sole superpower hegemony and activities in the Middle East. Put your emotions aside and carefully read his "Letter to America" to understand this alternative and opposing discourse. Why would this discourse appeal to many people in the Middle East while also alienating many other Muslims? Why is it valuable for the geospatial intelligence professional to understand alternative and opposing discourses such as this one?