Terror Trends BulletinA former New Jersey resident indicted by federal authorities last year over his role in a U.S.-based Hezbollah terror cell was arrested in Paraguay on Tuesday and faces extradition to the United States.
Moussa Ali Hamdan, 38, a native of Lebanon who for a time lived in a $600-a-month efficiency apartment in West Collingswood, New Jersey, was a central figure in a four-year probe led by the FBI’s Philadelphia Joint Terrorism Task Force.
In an editorial column published on 18 December, the editors of The Toledo Blade point out that capturing or killing Osama Bin Laden would not defeat Al Qaeda and capturing or killing Mullah Omar would not defeat the Taliban.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091218/OPINION02/912180305
They are correct in this but their notions do not go far enough.
The fact of the matter is, Al Qaeda and the Taliban could cease to exist tomorrow and the U.S. and Western civilization would still face a Jihadist threat. This overall war–which we at TTB believe should be properly called World War IV–goes way beyond Al Qaeda.
Already, there are spin-offs of Al Qaeda in the Asia-Pacific Region, Southwest Asia, North Africa, Europe and the U.S. These are loosely formed groups which are inspired by Al Qaeda and model themselves in some way off of Al Qaeda, but are not operationally attached to Al Qaeda in the classic sense. Bin Laden and Zawahiri don’t command them and those two Jihadi leaders could be vaporized by a JDAM tomorrow and the global offshoots would still exist.
(Incidentally, we believe that Osama Bin Laden is dead and has been for some time. More on that in a future posting.)
The Jihad extends beyond Al Qaeda as well. When the Jihadist terrorists attacked Mumbai in November of 2008, it was automatically assumed that they were Al Qaeda. When it was surmised that they were in fact Lashkar-e-Taiba, that organization was labeled as an Al Qaeda affiliate.
Now, it turns out that, while both Al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba are both Salafist Jihadist terrorist organizations and ideological allies, they are separate groups. One could be wiped off the face of the earth this afternoon and the other would still be waging Jihad.
Then there is the whole issue of Jihadist groups who are certainly NOT part of Al Qaeda. Hezbollah is the prime example of this. Hezbollah is Shia and, while they have cooperated with Al Qaeda in the past, they are definitely not part of Al Qaeda. Moreover, Hezbollah is perhaps even more dangerous than Al Qaeda due to their backing from Iran and a robust infrastructure set up on every continent, with the possible exception of Antarctica.
The fact that some of these groups are not actively engaged in ongoing operations against the U.S. or the West on a day-to-day basis should not be construed to mean that they are somehow not waging Jihad against us.
On one of the laptop computers uncovered in the investigation of Lashkar-e-Taiba after the Mumbai attacks, it was discovered that the group had a global list of 320 possible targets for attack. And the recon man for the Mumbai attacks turns out to have been a guy from Chicago.
It has been falsely and widely stated that Hezbollah has not been engaged in operations against the U.S. since the late 1980s. They have. Not only did Hezbollah help Al Qaeda set up the two East Africa embassy bombings in 1998, but Hezbollah was extremely active in the Iraq insurgency. Senior Hezbollah operatives were captured by U.S. forces in Iraq in the past few years and Hezbollah fighters were killed by U.S. G.I.s right along with members of Al Sadr’s “Mahdi Army” in Iraq:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/world/middleeast/28military.html
http://defensetech.org/2007/07/02/hezbollah-in-iraq/
http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2007-07-16-voa4.cfm
America is, unfortunately, largely in denial about the war we are in and that makes victory all the more elusive. Too many believe that “killing Bin Laden” will end it or that wiping out Al Qaeda will mean victory. This is simply untrue.
There is a global Jihad being waged against America and its allies. It is being waged in Afghanistan and Iraq to be sure. But it is also being waged in Israel, Algeria, Somalia, Sudan, Western Europe, Russia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, Central and South America and, yes, right here in North America.
Just when you thought things couldn’t get any more absurd…they do.
Ben Evansky of Fox News has revealed that soon the Jihadist terrorist organization Hezbollah and its Iranian sponsors will have their man installed at the United Nations Security Council in the form of Lebanon’s UN ambassador…
There is mounting evidence that the global Jihadist insurgency is fully entrenched in the USA.
After the Fort Hood massacre news services seem divided between those hell-bent-for-leather on denying that it was a case of anything other than a persecuted loner “snapping” and those who proclaimed it the first “terrorist” attack on US soil since September 11th.
Both were wrong.
As we mentioned in our last posting, Fort Hood was an act of Jihad and that’s really all that matters:
Fort Hood it was hardly the first act of Jihad on US soil since September 11th. A few examples come to mind:
• The Anthrax Attacks (Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I do NOT buy the official line on these attacks, but that’s a posting for another time and place.)
• The DC “Sniper” Shootings (There is a great deal of evidence that John MOHAMMED carried out these attacks in the name of Allah.)
• The LAX Shooting at the El Al Ticket Counter
Note that it makes little difference if the perpetrators are members of a previously known terrorist organization (such as Al Qaeda) or were lone actors. Actually, it DOES make a difference. It is difficult to combat a shadowy organization like Al Qaeda, but it is far more difficult to combat lone wolf actors. Al Qaeda may be difficult to infiltrate and gather intelligence on, but how do we “infiltrate” a lone Jihadist?
This is symptomatic of a revolutionary Jihadist subculture metastasizing within the American Muslim community, especially within its mosques and organizations. This revolutionary subculture has produced an atmosphere in which Muslims are inspired to act violently. This is a very dangerous and volatile situation.
Over the last 12 months alone, we have been provided with a stack of evidence of the Jihadist insurgency inside America. Americans have largely ignored this evidence, or at least failed to “connect the dots.” Seemingly completely unrelated cases do in fact have common threads: they are acts of Jihad.
I decided to go back and research examples of Jihad in America over the last 12 months, roughly 1 December 2008 to 1 December 2009. Using the following sources, as well as Google, I have compiled this list of incidents, cases, actions, statements and plots which point to a Jihadist insurgency in our midst (Keep in mind that insurgencies are 80% civilizational/political and 20% violent/militant.):
Militant Islam Monitor
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/
Jihad Watch
Counterterrorism Blog
http://counterterrorismblog.org/
NEFA Foundation
The Investigative Project on Terrorism
http://www.investigativeproject.org
Shariah Finance Watch
http://www.investigativeproject
Free Republic
The list is compiled in reverse chronological order, meaning that the most recent items are listed first. We no doubt left out some cases. If any readers know of any cases that we left out, please comment and we will amend this posting. We think that all of these cases and incidents brought together on a single listing will prompt most readers to conclude that the magnitude of the threat we face inside the USA is greater than they previously believed.
NOVEMBER 2009
Ten Indicted in Philadelphia in Case Involving Material Support for Jihadist Terrorist Group Hezbollah
http://philadelphia.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/ph112409.htm
Terrorism Charges Unsealed in Minnesota Against 8 Somali Members of Jihadist Terrorist Group al-Shabaab
http://minneapolis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/mp112309.htm
Feds in New York Move to Seize Assets of Iran-tied Alavi Foundation
Nidal Malik Hasan Kills 13, Wounds 20 In Shooting Rampage at Fort Hood, Texas
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/fort-hood-shooting-army-doctor-leaves-12-dead/story?id=9007938
OCTOBER 2009
US Jails Al Qaeda Sleeper Agent (Ali al-Marri was previously held in brig at Charleston, SC Naval Station)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8333133.stm
Two Chicago Men Charged in Jihadist Terrorist Plot in Denmark
http://chicago.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/cg102709.htm
Eleven Members of Jihadist Group Arrested in Detroit; Imam Killed in Shootout with FBI (Luqman Ameen Abdullah Shot and Killed FBI Dog During Arrest)
http://detroit.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/de102809.htm
Boston Muslim Charged in Plot to Kill Shoppers, Troops
Three Ohio Residents Sentenced in Plot to Commit Terrorist Acts Against Americans Overseas
http://cleveland.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/cl102209.htm
Massachusetts Man Charged With Conspiracy to Provide Material Support for Terrorists
http://boston.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/bs102109a.htm
University of California-Irvine Files Complaint with Feds that Muslim Student Union Raised Money for Jihadist Terrorist organization HAMAS
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/4119
SEPTEMBER 2009
Najibullah Zazi of Colorado Indicted in New York for Conspiracy to Use Explosives Against Persons or Property (Zazi had contact with Al Qaeda leader in Afghanistan)
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/4116
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/September/09-ag-1017.html
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/qns_qaeda_plotted_backpack_bombs_cBsiSRURqx71SFgx9xkL5L
Illinois Jihadist Arrested in Plot to Bomb Illinois Federal Building
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2447383520090924
Jordanian Muslim Arrested After Placing Inactive Bomb in Dallas High-Rise
http://dallas.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel09/dl092409.htm
Lebanese-born Swede Sentenced to Life in Prison for Oregon Terrorist Training Camp Plot
http://www.scribd.com/doc/20218721/Oussama-Abdullah-Kassir-Court-Sentencing
Three British Muslims Convicted In Plot to Bomb Airliners Bound for America (Plot could have killed 10,000)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8242238.stm
Apostate from Islam, Rifqa Bary, Flees Family After Her Father Threatens Her
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/4072
AUGUST 2009
Member of Prison Islamist Group Sentenced to 70 Months for Plot to Kill Jews, Attack Military Bases
http://www.ocregister.com/news/samana-168436-months-carney.html
Atlanta Muslim, Ehsanul Islam Sadequee, Convicted of Supporting Foreign Terrorist Organization (Supported Lashkar-e-Tayyiba which carried out Mumbai attack)
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/August/09-nsd-790.html
German Jihadists Describe Hatred of US as Reason for Terror Plot
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,642047,00.html
Yemeni Sheikh Pleads Guilty to Aiding HAMAS in New York Court
http://www.adl.org/main_Terrorism/tnews_yemeni_sheikh_40105.htm
JULY 2009
“Shoe Bomber” Richard Reid Sues to Resume Jihad From Prison
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203609204574317090690242698.html
The Odyssey of a Jihadist: From Long Island to Pakistan
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jul/23/nation/na-american-jihad23
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/07/the_al_qaeda_terrorist_from_lo_1.asp
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/30/robertson.al.qaeda.american/
Seven Charged in North Carolina for Terrorism (Plot to attack Marine Corps Base Quantico)
http://charlotte.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2009/ce072709.htm
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/28/AR2009072803193.html?hpid=topnews
American Al Qaeda Jihadist Sentenced to Life for Bush Assassination Plot
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/27/AR2009072701384.html
Hizb ut-Tahrir Jihadi Conference Held in Chicago
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2009/07/hizb_ut-tahrir_america_confere_1.php
JUNE 2009
New Jersey Muslim Convicted of Providing Material Support to Jihadist Terrorist Group Hezbollah
Tennessee Muslim Convert Kills One Soldier, Wounds Another Outside Little Rock Recruiting Office
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,523860,00.html
Ex-Georgia Tech Student Convicted on Terrorism Charges
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/10/georgia.terror.trial/index.html
MAY 2009
Texas Muslim Charity Officials Sentenced to 65 Years for Financing HAMAS Jihadist Terrorist Organization
http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/3965
New York Jihadist Plot to Target Synagogues Disrupted
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN21196807
Canadian from Somalia Living in Minneapolis Pleads Guilty to Aiding Al Qaeda
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN20537439
Five Miami Jihadists Convicted in Sears Tower Bombing Plot
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/12/5-of-Liberty-City-Six-convicted/UPI-24571242167557/
APRIL 2009
Three New Jersey Jihadists Sentenced to Life in Fort Dix Terrorist Plot
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/04/28/3-brothers-get-life-for-Fort-Dix-plot/UPI-64791240952231/
MARCH 2009
Somali-Americans Recruited for Al Qaeda-linked Group Says FBI
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aY6xgiUcNQX4&refer=us
FEBRUARY 2009
Ohio Jihadist Sentenced to 20 Years in Terror Bomb Plot
http://cincinnati.fbi.gov/doj/pressrel/2009/ci022609.htm
Muslim Television Channel Founder Charged With Beheading His Wife in Honor Killing
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,493645,00.html
FBI Director Warns of Terror Attacks on US Cities
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/23/AR2009022301850.html?
Lashkar-e-Taiba Mumbai Attackers Had Worldwide List of 320 Targets
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/19/mumbai-attacks-list-targets
Jailhouse Islam Convert Murders Philadelphia Police Officer
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=89177
JANUARY 2009
FBI Cuts Ties with Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Over HAMAS Ties
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2009/01/ipt_exclusive_fbi_cuts_off_cai.php
Terrorist Who Plotted to Bomb New York Targets in 1970s Released From Prison, Deported to Sudan
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=6722881
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=7005759
Chicago Cousins Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Provide Material Support to Terrorism
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/January/09-nsd-041.html
DECEMBER 2008
Staten Island Satellite TV Operator Pleads Guilty to Supporting Hezbollah
http://newyork.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/nyfo122308a.htm
Former University of South Florida Student Sentenced to 15 Years in Terrorism Case
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/18/181912/ex-usf-student-mohamed-gets-xx-terrorism-case/
Today I want to extend my very best wishes to all who are celebrating Nowruz around the world.
This holiday is both an ancient ritual and a moment of renewal, and I hope that you enjoy this special time of year with friends and family.
Here are some of Iran's friends. They call themselves "Hezbollah."
In particular, I would like to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Here is one of Iran's current leaders, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaking in front of a photo of Iran's original leader, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Nice folks. Hope they listen to Barry.
Here is the REAL leader of Iran. The Supreme Leader himself, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Like all great religious men, he is delivering this sermon whilst fondling the muzzle of a rifle. I sure hope Barry's message of hope and change gets through to him!
Nowruz is just one part of your great and celebrated culture. Over many centuries your art, your music, literature and innovation have made the world a better and more beautiful place.
Iranian "art"
More Iranian art
A rather stylized Iranian depiction of Uncle Sam. Ain't Iranian art great! Barry says it is!
More Iranian "art." This time a nice mural.
Not all Iranian art has an American theme.
####################################################################################
President Obama is right. Iran does have some “unusual” literature. Here are some of the writings of the father of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Ayatollah Khomeini:
A man can have sexual pleasure from a child as young as a baby. However he should not penetrate, sodomising the child is OK. If the man penetrates and damages the child then he should be responsible for her subsistence all herlife. This girl, however does not count as one of his four permanent wives. The man will not be eligible to marry the girl’s sister.
From Khomeini’s book, “Tahrirolvasyleh”, fourth volume, Darol Elm, Gom,
Iran, 1990
It is better for a girl to marry in such a time when she would begin
menstruation at her husband’s house rather than her father’s home. Any
father marrying his daughter so young will have a permanent place in
heaven.
From Khomeini’s book, “Tahrirolvasyleh”, fourth volume, Darol Elm, Gom,
Iran, 1990
A man can have sex with animals such as sheep, cows, camels and so on.
However he should kill the animal after he has his orgasm. He should not
sell the meat to the people in his own village, however selling the meat to
the next door village should be fine.
From Khomeini’s book, “Tahrirolvasyleh”, fourth volume, Darol Elm, Gom,
Iran, 1990
“If one commits the act of sodomy with a cow, a ewe, or a camel, their urine and their excrement become impure, and even their milk may no longer be consumed. The animal must then be killed and as quickly as possible and burned.”
The little green book, Sayings of Ayatollah Khomeini, Political, Phylosophica, Social and Religious with a special introduction by Clive Irving, ISBN number 0-553-14032-9, page 47
A woman who has contracted a continuing marriage does not have the right to go out of the house without her husband’s permission; she must remain at his disposal for the fulfilment of any one of his desires, and may not refuse herself to him except for a religiously valid reason. If she is totally submissive to him, the husband must provide her with her food, clothing, and lodging, whether or not he has the means to do so. A woman who refuses herself to her husband is guilty, and may not demand from him food, clothing, lodging, or any later sexual relations; however, she retains the right to be paid damages if she is repudiated.
Ali [son in law of Mohammed], having cut off the hands of two thieves, treated their wounds and offered them his hospitality, and this affected them so much that they became utterly devoted to him; or again when he heard that the marauding army of Muawiyah had abused a woman of one of the tribes, he was so upset and moved to pity he declared: “If a man died after such an occurrence, no one could blame him.” And yet, despite a nature as sensitive as that, Ali bared his sword and hacked the perpetrators to pieces. This is the meaning of justice.
“The Sayings of Ayatollah Khomeini, Political, Philosophical, Social and Religious” (The Little Green Book), ISBN number 0-553-14032-9.
##################################################################################################
Here in the United States our own communities have been enhanced by the contributions of Iranian Americans. We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world.
Here is one of Iran's most recent accomplishments and contributions to the world: it's called an Explosively Formed Penetrator. These were made in Iran and used to kill many American GIs in Iraq.
For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained. But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together. Indeed, you will be celebrating your New Year in much the same way that we Americans mark our holidays — by gathering with friends and family, exchanging gifts and stories, and looking to the future with a renewed sense of hope.
One reason US-Iranian relations became "strained" 30 years ago was because they invaded our embassy and took our people hostage
When Iranian-sponsored Hezbollah killed 241 American GIs in an Islamikaze attack in 1983, relations became more strained
Within these celebrations lies the promise of a new day, the promise of opportunity for our children, security for our families, progress for our communities, and peace between nations. Those are shared hopes, those are common dreams.
"Hope" is one of Barry's favorite words. It's one of the Ayatollahs' favorite words too. They like it so much that they named their latest missile "Omid," which means "Hope!"
So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran’s leaders. We have serious differences that have grown over time. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community. This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect.
Iran has so much "respect" for us that they even have a national holiday called "Death to America" Day!
You, too, have a choice. The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right — but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization. And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create.
So on the occasion of your New Year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek. It’s a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce. It’s a future where the old divisions are overcome, where you and all of your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace.
I know that this won’t be reached easily. There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences. But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi, so many years ago: “The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence.”
With the coming of a new season, we’re reminded of this precious humanity that we all share. And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning.
Thank you, and Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak.
Excerpt and LINK…
Last Friday night in Buenos Aires, Claudio Lifschitz, former secretary to the judge in charge of the AMIA bombing investigation, was kidnapped and tortured in Buenos Aires by three hooded men who later released him.
The Jerusalem Post, the JTA and YNet news have the story, which is being ignored by the US media:
Peter Huessy, who has assisted with the Divest Terror Initiative in both California and Maryland, has an excellent article appearing today on the Family Security Matters web site.
Huessy has been associated with the National Defense University and has a great deal of expertise on national security matters and he focuses on the threat of nuclear terrorism in his column today.
For our purposes, the article brings up the issue of state sponsorship of terrorism and the way the State Department treats that label.
First of all, despite what you might read and hear elsewhere, state sponsorship is still absolutely vital for Jihadist groups in particular. The idea of totally independent, non-state terrorists is largely a myth.
Even Al Qaeda and its affiliates require state sponsorship and have benefited from it for years. In the 1990s, Sudan hosted them and facilitated their relations with Hezbollah and HAMAS. The Sauds have either paid Al Qaeda protection money, or looked the other way as members of the royal family have funded them. The Sauds have also funded HAMAS, in particular the surviving families of Islamikaze bombers. Iran’s support for Al Qaeda has received less publicity, but it is true nonetheless. Iran’s longstanding and massive support for Hezbollah is well known. And of course the old Taliban regime in Afghanistan gave safe haven to Al Qaeda, as have the Pakistanis as well. These are but a few examples of state support for Jihadist terrorists.
Jihadists need places to train and rest and they need funding. Nation states provide these things, either overtly, or simply by looking the other way as terrorists set up shop in their territory.
For decades, the US State Department has kept a list of terrorist-sponsoring nations. Currently, three nations on that list support Jihadist terrorist groups: Iran, Syria and Sudan. Cuba is the fourth nation on the list, though they do not appear to have any ties to Jihad. In fact, there are no active ties between Cuba and any known terrorist group at the moment.
This State Department list has always been inadequate. For instance, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan never made the list, yet without them, where would Osama Bin Laden have hidden?
And nations like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan aren’t on the list, but both are most assuredly state sponsors of Jihadist terrorism. But since they are what we call “allies,” they will never be on the list.
(Incidentally, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq was on the list for many years, yet the Left seems to have selective amnesia when ever that point is brought up.)
Even for the countries who do get listed, the convoluted and acrobatic State Department language experts (in this case the foreign language is English) manage to write their descriptions in such a way that the reader doesn’t know whether the country is a terror sponsor or an ally against terrorism. This is especially true of Sudan. State lists Sudan as a terror sponsor and then typically devotes the whole section on Sudan to what a wonderful job the genocidal regime is doing to fight terrorism. Huessy writes about this in his excellent article, which should be considered a must read…
We have now been greeted with the disgusting news that Great Britain has decided to reach out to Hezbollah in an effort to enter into a dialogue with the group to convince them to abandon terrorism.
This incredibly naive approach to a Jihadist terrorist organization likely stems from the British approach to the Irish Republican Army. This notion of using the IRA model with a Jihadist organization is not new. The rock star Bono has suggested the same moronic idea with Al Qaeda.
We could write volumes about how bad an idea this whole approach is, but it is probably much better to simply use Hezbollah’s own words to illustrate the futility of negotiating with them:
‘We are not fighting so that you will offer us something. We are fighting to eliminate you.’
These words were uttered by Hussein Massawi, the Hezbollah leader at the time of the Islamikaze attacks on the US Marine Barracks in Beirut.
We can only hope that the Obama administration does not follow the British policy, though we can’t help but suspect that Obama will do something just along those lines, since he is already doing so with Hezbollah’s sponsor, Iran.
The Obama and Brown administrations simply cannot get over with fast enough.
The intrepid Melanie Phillips has an excellent story on this subject:
One thing you will NEVER hear George Clooney talk about is the fact that Sudan is ruled by an Islamist regime with its roots in the Muslim Brotherhood and the genocide that that regime has committed for decades against black Christians, animists and fellow Muslims is actually a Jihad designed to impose Shariah law on the entire country.
Genocide does not happen. Genocide is committed. And it is no surprise that the Jihadist regime which has committed that genocide is also a major state sponsor of terrorism. In fact, over the years, Sudan has sponsored just about all the major Jihadist organizations outside of Pakistan: Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, HAMAS to name a few.
Sudan has also had close relations with Iran, another major sponsor of terrorism.
Well, not surprisingly, this week, when Sudanese president al-Bashir was indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), all those Jihadists rushed to his side:
The visiting delegation included Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani, Hamas’ deputy leader Moussa Abu Marzouk, and a top official from Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as well as Syria’s parliament speaker and the leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad extremist group. Before they met with al-Bashir, Larijani told reporters that the ICC’s arrest warrant is an “insult directed at Muslims.”
One of the most underreported stories of the past few months has been the confirmation that evidence indicates that the Syrian nuclear facility which Israel bombed a couple of years back was indeed a facility that was being built in violation of international treaties to which which Syria was a party.
Reports at the time of the lightning Israeli air strike at the time indicated that there were significant numbers of North Korean casualties at the Syrian facility.
To any rational observer, these two tidbits amount to smoking gun evidence that Syria had embarked upon a nuclear weapons program, that only Israeli vigilance disrupted.
So what has the Obama administration decided to do? Reward Syria by sending a series of VIPs to meet with them, including Senator John Kerry, who has had the hots for Syria since he ran for president way back in 2004.
This is the same Syria which facilitated rat lines along which 90% of the Islamikaze bombers who carried out attacks in Iraq transited. An earlier post on Terror Trends Bulletin discussed a US operation to disrupt that activity:
There are of course a few other items we can add to Syria’s CV:
1. Providing safe haven for HAMAS in the form of a huge headquarters facility in Damascus.
2. Training, supplying and providing safe haven for Hezbollah–all the way back before 1983 when Hezbollah attacked the US Marine Barracks in Beirut, killing 241 Americans.
3. Syria has been implicated in the murder by bomb of a former Lebanese prime minister back in 2005.
Barack Obama sees something in Syria that he likes. We have no idea what that might be. At best, Obama hasn’t a clue as to what he is doing.
Terror Trends Bulletin 