Iran is getting really serious about pipelines and gas sales to other countries. They are now threatening to sue Turkey for delaying their purchase of gas. The whole region is just a bit too serious.

http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2001/11/14112001085632.asp

If I were working on the assumption that the Sept.11 terrorist attacks had something to do with this, it may be that OBL wanted the Americans to stay out of the gas pipeline business there, perhaps. Or maybe the opposite: they certainly provoked a major military response, and could not have expected otherwise. I doubt these people would hesitate to sacrifice a few thousand Americans to get them to come into Afghanistan and overthrow the government that stands in the way of prosperity. I wish I had more than just speculation on this subject though. There are people out there that would commit murder for $20 bucks. Surround people like him with like-minded supporters and you've got some serious organized crime.

Yep.
(good at pointing out the obvious)