But still one wonders what the point is. Specifically what is the point of this global jihad? I find it hard to believe that a guy who's never been out of the Middle East wants to convert Americans to his cause (and if he does he's a pretty bad strategist)

But really what is his cause-trying to emulate the Baader-Meinhof gang, the Italian Red Brigades, the Weather Underground. Those guys were almost the definition of futility in action. Grant it an "American" convert to Al-Queda would be more valuable then a foreigner, but more valuable for what-blowing things up. That doesn't seem to be a well thought out long term plan. For all the time spent on trying to get these guys vs. them trying to get us neither side articulates long term objectives very well.