Professor Barry Robins on The Bombing
When Is Terrorist not a terrorist? Bin Laden is now the
most wanted man; as he replaces Abu Nidhal on America's hate list, Abu
Nidhal is held by the Egyptians
Threats to America in the Gulf: The US Navy cancelled shore
leave in the region and advised servicemen to be extra cautious. Two years ago this month
a bomb went off in the US military compound in Al-Khobor killed several service men.
Recent threats by Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden- who is the prime suspect in the attack
have also contributed to the tension. Security has been tightened around US at embassies
throughout the Middle East. American citizens were advised to be alert and inconspicuous
when travelling in the region. The US has withdrawn its Air Force Air Expeditionary Wing
from Bahrain's Sheikh Isa airbase. Bahrain had agreed in March to extend the deployment of
US aircraft on its territory for a further two months at the height of the crisis between
Iraq and the UN over weapons inspections The last of 12 F-117 stealth fighters deployed in
Kuwait last November returned to the US on 7 June
