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The Enemy
In a brilliant essay on the death of Osama bin Laden, Christopher Hitchens insists that the necessity to resist the threat of theocratic fanaticism is by no means cancelled. Hitchens argues that bin Laden and his adherents represented the most serious and determined and bloodthirsty attempt to revive totalitarian and racist ideology since 1945. Further, that while the unending struggle for reason is entitled to take some especial comfort in his demise, the values of secularism, libertarianism, internationalism, and solidarity will always need to be defended and reaffirmed.
15 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2011
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1103 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Hitchens
164 books7,919 followersChristopher Hitchens was a British-American author, journalist, and literary critic known for his sharp wit, polemical writing, and outspoken views on religion, politics, and culture. He was a prolific essayist and columnist, contributing to publications such as The Atlantic, Vanity Fair, Slate, and The Nation.
A staunch critic of totalitarianism and organized religion, Hitchens became one of the most prominent public intellectuals of his time. His book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007) became a bestseller and solidified his place as a leading figure in the New Atheism movement. He was equally fearless in political criticism, taking on figures across the ideological spectrum, from Henry Kissinger (The Trial of Henry Kissinger, 2001) to Bill and Hillary Clinton (No One Left to Lie To, 1999).
Originally a socialist and supporter of left-wing causes, Hitchens later distanced himself from the left, particularly after the September 11 attacks, when he became a vocal advocate for the U.S. invasion of Iraq. His ideological shift, combined with his formidable debating skills, made him a controversial yet highly respected figure.
Hitchens was also known for his literary criticism, writing extensively on figures such as George Orwell, Thomas Jefferson, and Karl Marx. His memoir, Hitch-22 (2010), reflected on his personal and intellectual journey.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer but continued to write and speak publicly until his death in 2011. His fearless engagement with ideas, incisive arguments, and commitment to reason remain influential long after his passing.
A staunch critic of totalitarianism and organized religion, Hitchens became one of the most prominent public intellectuals of his time. His book God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007) became a bestseller and solidified his place as a leading figure in the New Atheism movement. He was equally fearless in political criticism, taking on figures across the ideological spectrum, from Henry Kissinger (The Trial of Henry Kissinger, 2001) to Bill and Hillary Clinton (No One Left to Lie To, 1999).
Originally a socialist and supporter of left-wing causes, Hitchens later distanced himself from the left, particularly after the September 11 attacks, when he became a vocal advocate for the U.S. invasion of Iraq. His ideological shift, combined with his formidable debating skills, made him a controversial yet highly respected figure.
Hitchens was also known for his literary criticism, writing extensively on figures such as George Orwell, Thomas Jefferson, and Karl Marx. His memoir, Hitch-22 (2010), reflected on his personal and intellectual journey.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer but continued to write and speak publicly until his death in 2011. His fearless engagement with ideas, incisive arguments, and commitment to reason remain influential long after his passing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
March 26, 2020
Abiding Evil
This is Hitchens’s anti-eulogy on the event of Osama bin Laden’s death. Its obvious purpose is to counter the strange cult which had emerged even among some in the intelligence community that Osama was a principled if misguided gentleman. Whether this view is still shared by any of those who remain sane is questionable. So it is a bit dated. On the other hand, can there ever be enough reminders that there is nothing easier than the construction of stupid narratives about true evil. And more than that, Pakistan, another Hitchens target, remains one of the more duplicitous countries on the planet. Given the competition, that says quite a lot.
This is Hitchens’s anti-eulogy on the event of Osama bin Laden’s death. Its obvious purpose is to counter the strange cult which had emerged even among some in the intelligence community that Osama was a principled if misguided gentleman. Whether this view is still shared by any of those who remain sane is questionable. So it is a bit dated. On the other hand, can there ever be enough reminders that there is nothing easier than the construction of stupid narratives about true evil. And more than that, Pakistan, another Hitchens target, remains one of the more duplicitous countries on the planet. Given the competition, that says quite a lot.
November 5, 2014
Remember when the debate back in 2011 was whether it was appropriate to celebrate one man's death? The sight of cheering crowds in front of the White House following The President's speech announcing the death of Osama Bin Laden left many feeling uncomfortable. Bin Laden was, after all, just another human being, flawed though he may have been. Such was the thinking at the time. Hitchens calls Bin Laden what he was- an evil islamofascist whose death, much like those of Hitler and Stalin, was well worth cheering. Just so long as the greater fight against his nasty brand of religious tyranny wasn't abandoned.
Berating those who call Bin Laden an anti-imperialist, anti-colonialist hero alongside those like Che Guevara, Hitchens throws the facts at him, calling Bin Laden and his psychopathic goons exactly what they are- islamofascists pushing an authoritarian regime of terror and ignorance.
Reading Christopher Hitchens is to be reminded of the man's brilliance and to bemoan the fact that he's no longer with us. As much as I love Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, not even they are capable of summoning the total resonance I felt when reading or listening to the incomparable Hitchens tear down one of society's sacred cows, be it religion, Mother Teresa, Henry Kissinger, Bill Clinton, or any number of others. Hitchens was so good at saying what everyone else was afraid to say. And he does so here. Classic Hitch.
Berating those who call Bin Laden an anti-imperialist, anti-colonialist hero alongside those like Che Guevara, Hitchens throws the facts at him, calling Bin Laden and his psychopathic goons exactly what they are- islamofascists pushing an authoritarian regime of terror and ignorance.
Reading Christopher Hitchens is to be reminded of the man's brilliance and to bemoan the fact that he's no longer with us. As much as I love Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, not even they are capable of summoning the total resonance I felt when reading or listening to the incomparable Hitchens tear down one of society's sacred cows, be it religion, Mother Teresa, Henry Kissinger, Bill Clinton, or any number of others. Hitchens was so good at saying what everyone else was afraid to say. And he does so here. Classic Hitch.
June 4, 2011
This is Christopher Hitchens' "anti-eulogy" to Osama Bin-Laden in which he reflects not only on the nihilistic despot's role in history but the meaning of his death on the future of fascistic movements. Hitchens is a bright spot in the socio-philosophical writings of the first part of the 21st century and he has plenty to say in this very brief Kindle only e-book.
February 6, 2017
the question lies why is there one OBL not many
it is quite amazing how one man death bring tears of sadness to his supporters and tears of vindicative happiness to his Demise.
OBL this man who America has killed him in raid in Pakistan was a man of a quite of amazing characteristics and ideas no matter what others says especially the Author tries to belittle him,he was man of his words and true to his words he died as he wished.
well i guess the West doesnot comprehend or try to understand what makes many Muslims feel angry of them and what makes them to be so nihilistic and despair from life but the biggest mistske that the West made was that the Muslims are not like passive victims like the red indians or aborigines in Australia and they will not leave this world passively because due to their unfortunate destiny it happens they have great natural resources that the West think of it as a strategic interest or because of their faith the West needs to eduacate them humanize them civilize them and if they resist to good hearted Western they will bombed assasinated or killled because who doesnot live according to western values or norms or believes he loses his humanity and the right to exist and for that reason it seems that when America is bombing Muslim insurgents in Iraq or Syria or in any other Islamic country they are not killing human beings but a sick subhuman being that they should bekilled to save civilization from.
well i can go on my rambling but as my grandfather said Osama has made big cracks on the formidable Western world
and that no matter how much the West try to restrain Muslims rights in Iraq or Afghanistan it is different between people who doe of desperation and necessity and people who fights of choice and pleasure of Secularizing Muslims.
it is quite amazing how one man death bring tears of sadness to his supporters and tears of vindicative happiness to his Demise.
OBL this man who America has killed him in raid in Pakistan was a man of a quite of amazing characteristics and ideas no matter what others says especially the Author tries to belittle him,he was man of his words and true to his words he died as he wished.
well i guess the West doesnot comprehend or try to understand what makes many Muslims feel angry of them and what makes them to be so nihilistic and despair from life but the biggest mistske that the West made was that the Muslims are not like passive victims like the red indians or aborigines in Australia and they will not leave this world passively because due to their unfortunate destiny it happens they have great natural resources that the West think of it as a strategic interest or because of their faith the West needs to eduacate them humanize them civilize them and if they resist to good hearted Western they will bombed assasinated or killled because who doesnot live according to western values or norms or believes he loses his humanity and the right to exist and for that reason it seems that when America is bombing Muslim insurgents in Iraq or Syria or in any other Islamic country they are not killing human beings but a sick subhuman being that they should bekilled to save civilization from.
well i can go on my rambling but as my grandfather said Osama has made big cracks on the formidable Western world
and that no matter how much the West try to restrain Muslims rights in Iraq or Afghanistan it is different between people who doe of desperation and necessity and people who fights of choice and pleasure of Secularizing Muslims.
May 29, 2012
A short book , really an essay. I read this as a Kindle Single. These are really a cute idea. Enough for the medium.
Hitchens was a great polemicist, maybe the best in last 50 years. This is him at his best. Maybe you can appreciate him if you agree with him as I do on this subject. If he was banging on about why Iraq needed to be invaded my feelings might be different.
Bin Laden was a fascist, a murderer, delusional and in the end a failure. All neatly summarized by Hitchens.
The only writer who comes close to his incisive power when he really turns it, on as he does here is, Churchill.
Hitchens was a great polemicist, maybe the best in last 50 years. This is him at his best. Maybe you can appreciate him if you agree with him as I do on this subject. If he was banging on about why Iraq needed to be invaded my feelings might be different.
Bin Laden was a fascist, a murderer, delusional and in the end a failure. All neatly summarized by Hitchens.
The only writer who comes close to his incisive power when he really turns it, on as he does here is, Churchill.
November 17, 2018
A short powerful analyzes done in the typically Hitch way.
December 31, 2019
Prilično bedan esej o ozbiljnoj temi u kojoj se imperijalistički stavovi tobože brane rečnikom njihovih protivnika. Nažalost, Hitchens nije bio vrhunsko pero da bi to prošlo kod iole sofisticiranijeg čitaoca.
November 6, 2017
No matter on what side of the political spectrum one aligned themselves with, your average western reader would struggle to find fault with much of this text, despite Hitchens' faux-inflammatory style of prose.
Conveniently for him, it neatly sidesteps the matter of the author's infamous support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as well as his support for George W. Bush in the lead-up to the 2004 election; it seems that given breathing space of nine years, his thoughts had changed. A new reader, unacquainted with Hitchens' oeuvre, is not given a hint of this in the text, and would have no cause for believing anything other than this self-serving account. Hitchens allows himself a measure of flexibility - one might well say hypocrisy - that he excoriates in others. Despite his marked tendency towards narcissism, I would certainly have read what he had to say on the state of the world in 2017.
Conveniently for him, it neatly sidesteps the matter of the author's infamous support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as well as his support for George W. Bush in the lead-up to the 2004 election; it seems that given breathing space of nine years, his thoughts had changed. A new reader, unacquainted with Hitchens' oeuvre, is not given a hint of this in the text, and would have no cause for believing anything other than this self-serving account. Hitchens allows himself a measure of flexibility - one might well say hypocrisy - that he excoriates in others. Despite his marked tendency towards narcissism, I would certainly have read what he had to say on the state of the world in 2017.
January 15, 2014
This terse monologue is alternately cogent and casuistic. To demonstrate the latter feature, consider this passage:
"That he was unarmed when shot is only loosely compatible with the fact that he was housed in a military garrison town, had a loaded automatic weapon in the room with him, COULD [my emphasis] well have been wearing a suicide vest, had stated repeatedly that he would never be taken alive [me: this pledge was just that, as he was ultimately - and physically, mind, this adverb being necessary in this context - unarmed], was the commander of one of the most violent organisations in history, and had declared himself at war with the US."
This assessment is craftily, but fallaciously, constructed. There can be no ambiguity related to bin Laden's unarmed status here, no scope for semantic acrobatics. Hitchens takes a great logical liberty here, which ought to - but not necessarily need - cast doubt upon the remainder of his logic.
"That he was unarmed when shot is only loosely compatible with the fact that he was housed in a military garrison town, had a loaded automatic weapon in the room with him, COULD [my emphasis] well have been wearing a suicide vest, had stated repeatedly that he would never be taken alive [me: this pledge was just that, as he was ultimately - and physically, mind, this adverb being necessary in this context - unarmed], was the commander of one of the most violent organisations in history, and had declared himself at war with the US."
This assessment is craftily, but fallaciously, constructed. There can be no ambiguity related to bin Laden's unarmed status here, no scope for semantic acrobatics. Hitchens takes a great logical liberty here, which ought to - but not necessarily need - cast doubt upon the remainder of his logic.
February 3, 2017
In a Kindle edition of the Hitch dryly and definitively debunking the myths surrounding OBL: that he is some kind of class warrior/freedom fighter against imperialism, that he is a quiet, thoughtful, wise thinker, that he has a philosophy essentially beyond repressed, bellicose, extremist hate-mongering.
Worth looking into, since Hitch's natural ease of prose and rhetorical incision comes in handy for certain and especially if one might take issue with at least one of the above premises.
Not necessarily the news flash of the century here, but still it's good to have on the record, at least. (What's the opposite of Rest In Peace, exactly?)
Worth looking into, since Hitch's natural ease of prose and rhetorical incision comes in handy for certain and especially if one might take issue with at least one of the above premises.
Not necessarily the news flash of the century here, but still it's good to have on the record, at least. (What's the opposite of Rest In Peace, exactly?)
June 24, 2013
THE ENEMY was written shortly after the death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of the U.S. military. In this short volume, Hitchens takes issue with anyone on the far Left who might be willing to view bin Laden as a spokesperson for the Middle East's poor and downtrodden, or perhaps as a noble revolutionary bent on the overthrow of an imperialist nation. Personally, I think it glaringly obvious that bin Laden was an irredeemably evil man whose actions are impossible to justify. Still, the fact that one of my co-workers shows up to work every other day wearing a Ho Chi Minh t-shirt reminds me why books like THE ENEMY remain necessary.
July 18, 2011
If you're well read on the "war on terror", there is probably nothing you don't already know about Osama bin Laden or haven't read from other sources. For me however it was a brief but informative read on an infamous man. Not essential reading, but for the price of a cup of coffee, you should pick it up. And you'll easily finish it in the same time you could have drunk said coffee and as always with Hitchens, my vocabulary expands a little after consuming each of his works.
December 2, 2011
Very quick, but Poignant look at Bin laden and his "legacy." Well written yet brief it does a great job of summing up the impact Bin laden had on history and how he did more harm than good for himself as well as the Islamic world.
December 12, 2011
Here Christopher Hitchens takes on Osama Bin Laden and other Islamic jihadists. While the depth of analysis is on the superficial side, Hitchens makes some good points and, as always, writes very well. I may not agree with everything he says, but I like the way he says it.
November 12, 2014
Nothing new here, but wouldn't that be expecting too much from a man who's been dead for some years (and I mean Hitch). A fine essay and a good reminder to why it's so important to always recognize totalitarian thought for what it is when it rises its ugly face.
May 18, 2011
Very nearly philosophically spotless; a fine dissertation of one godless savage that sat at the head of an entire movement of godless savages.
July 15, 2014
A short pamphlet regarding the world's worst Caliph wanna-be (now under the sea) and his probable realization, just before a terse meeting with Seal Team Six, that 9/11 didn't accomplish the goal.
January 12, 2015
Excellent analysis of Osama Bin Laden and the movement he created.
May 27, 2021
An interesting short piece from the always-readable Christopher Hitchens. It is a commentary on the 'war on terrorism' and a sort of obituary for Osama bin Laden, written not long after that man's ignoble death in the raid on Abbottabad.
Whilst I did not agree with all of Hitchens' particular arguments - particularly his refutation of Michael Scheuer's perceptive appraisal of the al-Qaeda leader in his book Osama Bin Laden - his overall reasoning is sound. He recognises that radical Islamism is but one manifestation of the eternal struggle "against superstition and the totalitarian mentality... In protean forms, it is fought and refought in every country and every generation." The 'war' on terrorism and intolerance cannot be won by storming Abbottabad and blowing a hole in bin Laden's head, in the way one could win conventional wars by storming Berlin and compelling Hitler to blow a hole in his own head. Quoting the playwright Bertolt Brecht (his literary references are always a delight), Hitchens reminds us that though the bastard may be dead, "the bitch that bore him is always in heat"
As always, Hitchens has no time for the self-flagellating and hand-wringing seemingly ingrained in Western society. ("On no account - and this imperative was put forward by President Bush as well as by many liberals - were the less tender elements of his [bin Laden's] doctrine to be used as a critique of religion. A hitherto marginal propaganda term, 'Islamophobia,' underwent a mainstream baptism and was pressed into service to intimidate those who suspected that faith might indeed have something to do with it.")
He is also keen-eyed in his literary destruction of the 'principles' of radical Islam and of the man who re-ignited it on one blue-skied September morning. It is this call-a-spade-a-spade mentality, allied with his irrepressible championing of freethinking and his eloquent writing style, which made Christopher Hitchens such a pleasure to read, and his death to be mourned much more than that of a corpse dumped off the side of an American aircraft carrier into the North Arabian Sea.
Whilst I did not agree with all of Hitchens' particular arguments - particularly his refutation of Michael Scheuer's perceptive appraisal of the al-Qaeda leader in his book Osama Bin Laden - his overall reasoning is sound. He recognises that radical Islamism is but one manifestation of the eternal struggle "against superstition and the totalitarian mentality... In protean forms, it is fought and refought in every country and every generation." The 'war' on terrorism and intolerance cannot be won by storming Abbottabad and blowing a hole in bin Laden's head, in the way one could win conventional wars by storming Berlin and compelling Hitler to blow a hole in his own head. Quoting the playwright Bertolt Brecht (his literary references are always a delight), Hitchens reminds us that though the bastard may be dead, "the bitch that bore him is always in heat"
As always, Hitchens has no time for the self-flagellating and hand-wringing seemingly ingrained in Western society. ("On no account - and this imperative was put forward by President Bush as well as by many liberals - were the less tender elements of his [bin Laden's] doctrine to be used as a critique of religion. A hitherto marginal propaganda term, 'Islamophobia,' underwent a mainstream baptism and was pressed into service to intimidate those who suspected that faith might indeed have something to do with it.")
He is also keen-eyed in his literary destruction of the 'principles' of radical Islam and of the man who re-ignited it on one blue-skied September morning. It is this call-a-spade-a-spade mentality, allied with his irrepressible championing of freethinking and his eloquent writing style, which made Christopher Hitchens such a pleasure to read, and his death to be mourned much more than that of a corpse dumped off the side of an American aircraft carrier into the North Arabian Sea.
July 13, 2017
Hitchens must have written this shortly before his death. His writing is crisp, confident, and to the point. Clearly a man of conviction. I enjoyed getting his perspective on this topic and would like to read more of his work some day.
April 2, 2022
Hitchens packs an amazing amount of detail in this piece. He brushes lightly on the impact that bin Laden had and some of the history while criticizing some decisions the US did wrong. Good, short, and informative read.
July 12, 2022
Intresting short read but seemed more like CH was venting out than writing some sort of an essay tbh.
It had no structure puzzled and no conclusion
Good readbut without an overall structure it fell flat
It had no structure puzzled and no conclusion
Good readbut without an overall structure it fell flat
December 21, 2017
The Hitch is just always on the button. A short piece, but a worthy read from a man unabridged to speak truth to power and equally unafraid to call out fair weather friends
September 7, 2018
This was fascinating.
April 17, 2019
BinLaden.....most evil.
Hitchens is one of the most brilliant and articulate writers that ever lived. This book is one of his best.
Hitchens is one of the most brilliant and articulate writers that ever lived. This book is one of his best.
July 27, 2019
An important read on Osama bin Laden
If you want a book on Osama bin Laden, without it being a big book... this small and insightful book will fill that void.
If you want a book on Osama bin Laden, without it being a big book... this small and insightful book will fill that void.
April 8, 2020
Not many people can write as he does.
December 7, 2020
An essay written following the death of Osama bin Laden summarises his post 9-11 views of the world alongside some of the historical antecedents of Al-Qaeda.
January 23, 2021
Short reflection on Bin Laden
Hitchen’s readers will be familiar with material covered in this short reflection on the sponsor of mass murder and bigotry.
Hitchen’s readers will be familiar with material covered in this short reflection on the sponsor of mass murder and bigotry.
November 16, 2022
Short display of who Osama Bin Laden is.
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