管理资产规模约1,100亿美元的凯雷投资集团(Carlyle Group)眼下显然并不缺钱。但根据近日的消息，不妨问个无聊的问题：

    凯雷投资集团要过多少时间，才会考虑重新接纳本•拉登家族？

    本•拉登家族——沙特建筑业巨头，很早以前就与现已死亡的奥萨马•本•拉登断绝了关系——曾投资至少一支凯雷基金，并在凯雷的几个私募股权业务中也有投资。据报道，投资额超过了200万美元。

    但在911事件后，凯雷投资集团在公众压力下与该家族断绝了关系。这不仅仅因为凯雷是一家美国公司，本•拉登家族当时在美国已成过街老鼠，而且因为凯雷在航天和国防业投资特别积极。

    到了2001年10月底，本•拉登家族和凯雷共同切断了财务联系。

    这可能是不可挽回的分手，修复关系对任何一方来说意义都不大。但时间看来的确能修复很多伤痛。别忘了，老布什曾是凯雷的顾问，也是上世纪80年代美国轰炸利比亚时的副总统。然而，时间倒回到几十年前，凯雷曾接受利比亚投资局(Libyan Investment Authority)的有限合伙投资(我估计这笔投资自那以来可能一直被冻结)……

    The Carlyle Group obviously isn't hurting for money, with approximately $110 billion in assets under management. But, in light of today's events, here's an idle question:

    How much time would have to pass before Carlyle would consider letting the bin Laden family back into its fold?

    The bin Ladens -- Saudi construction magnates who long ago disowned the now-deceased Osama -- once were investors in at least one Carlyle fund, alongside its investments in several other private equity vehicles. Reports put the commitment just north of $2 million.

    Following September 11, however, Carlyle came under public pressure to cut ties with the family. not only because it was a U.S. firm and the bin Ladens had become local pariahs, but also because Carlyle was particularly active in the aerospace and defense sectors.

    By the end of October 2001, the bin Ladens and Carlyle mutually severed their financial ties.

    Chances are this was an irrevocable breakup, and there is little value to either side in trying to mend fences. But time does seem to heal many wounds. After all, George H.W. Bush was once an advisor to Carlyle, and also was vice president when the U.S. bombed Libya in the 1980s. Fast forward a couple decades, and Carlyle accepted an LP commitment from the Libyan Investment Authority (a commitment which I assume has since been frozen)...