The Art of War
<If I determine the enemy's disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless: if it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it nor the wise make plans against it.
Sun Tzu
"The Art of War"
bin Ladin seems to be following Sun Tzu's teachings. He is disadvantaged in any conventional setting whether it is an offensive or defensive operation. Only when the battle is over and occupation begins does the advantage return to his side.