New Video: Zawahiri in Video from Unknown City

New threats have emerged via an 81 minute video featuring the “mid-summer steamer:”

“Al-Qaeda number two Ayman al-Zawahiri has called for Iberia to be restored to the Islamic world, saying the first step needs to be the 'cleansing' of Spaniards and French from the Maghreb.

Zawahiri was speaking in an 81-minute documentary-style video entitled "The Power of Truth" made public on Thursday by the US-based SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors Islamist websites.

"O our Muslim Ummah (community) in the Maghreb of ribat and jihad (land of resistance and holy war): restoring Al-Andalus is a trust on the shoulders of the Ummah in general and on your shoulders in particular," he said.

"You will not be able to do that without first cleansing the Maghreb of Islam of the children of France and Spain."

Zawahiri needn’t feel bad about being “number two,” as his Mohammed (PBUH) was number two as well; although dried up and blew away a long, long time ago.

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Bits and Pieces on the Middle East

Interesting that Osama bin Laden initially called for the U.S. to leave Saudi Arabia as the main reason for his and al Qaeda’s attacks on the U.S.:

“Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden called on Pakistanis to rebel against President Pervez Musharraf in a new recording released on Thursday, saying his military's siege of a militant mosque stronghold makes him an infidel.”

On what Osama bin Laden wants:

“Bin Laden’s problem then is not really tiny Israel or global warming or mortgage interest rates, but an all-powerful and free West led by the United States. It alone has the military and economic power to stop radical Islamists. Plus, we bring the more powerful message of political freedom. And American popular culture, with its informality and egalitarianism, is sweeping the globe, seducing far more adherents than does rote memorization of the Koran.

So, despite bin Laden’s bragging, America remains the big stumbling block, the stronger horse. The United States alone ensures that bin Laden stays a sick man babbling in a cave — and not a Muslim caliph in flowing robes, with billions of dollars in oil under his feet and weapons merchants lined up at his palace door.”

Regarding the invitation to speak at Columbia University extended to Ahamadinejad:

“Finally, I note that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been invited to speak at Columbia University. Have they at last agreed to include a moderate voice in their Middle East Studies department?”

The Phalange party of Lebanon has called:

“for a two-day strike Thursday, a day after a powerful bomb blast in Beirut killed an anti-Syrian lawmaker and four other people.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini condemned the terrorist attack as well. Perhaps if they had “peaceful” nukes this type of thing wouldn’t happen:

"Such an event comes from Lebanon's known enemies' plots, and upon the past background of such suspicious moves in the sensitive times of Lebanon, it comes from ominous plots of the Zionist regime, which has always been threatening Lebanese sovereignty, independence, security and people's solidarity."

Lastly, the Islamic Republic of Iran, which wants nothing but peace for the downtrodden Iraqi people is missing an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps., Qods Force member in Iraq of all places…imagine?:

“Coalition forces on Thursday arrested a suspected member of an elite Iranian unit that has been accused of training and equipping insurgents in Iraq, the U.S. military said.”

Perhaps this is an indication of poor land navigation training in Iran's military.

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Rambama Will Take Musharraf Down!

Al Qaeda drew "first blood," they don't know who they were messin' with...

Yesterday, we all got a good laugh when it was revealed that Democrat Presidential aspirant Barack Obama announced he would “invade Pakistan,” if necessary. My post with limited comments didn’t add much as what is there to add to the already ludicrous?

This morning, James S. Robbins has a great take over at NRO on Obama and acting on “actionable intelligence.”

“So President Obama would invade Pakistan? Who would have thought? “It was a terrible mistake to fail to act when we had a chance to take out an al Qaeda leadership meeting in 2005,” Obama said at a speech at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. “If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will.” Obama was pinging off a recent New York Times report of an early 2005 mission to apprehend al Qaeda leadership figures in Pakistan, including second banana Ayman al-Zawahiri. The mission was aborted by then-Defense Secretary Rumsfeld because the operation had grown too large. This alone makes it a good case-study in the failings of bureaucracy; too many components looking to get involved, not enough risk being accepted, not a shining moment for the partisans of Defense Transformation.”

If anyone wants, link back with an image of "Rambama" let's see what we can put together.

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Recent Deaths PROVE Iraq is a Distraction from Real War on Terror

Just trying to get a jump on the Editorial Curve


According to CNN:

"Car bombers targeted throngs of Iraqis Wednesday as they spilled into Baghdad streets to cheer a national soccer victory, killing at least 17 people and leaving scores more wounded.

Attacking revelers in the Mansour district of western Baghdad, a suicide car bomber killed at least 10 people and wounded 62, said an Interior Ministry official. Later, in the southeastern neighborhood of Ghadir, a second car bomb killed at least seven and wounded at least 27, the official said. The attack is near an Iraqi army checkpoint.

Thousands of fans had filled the streets of the capital after Iraqi athletes competing in Malaysia defeated South Korea, catapulting the nation to the Asian Cup finals for the first time."

Having foolishly believed in the past that Iraq is a central or the central front in the war on terror I have now come to my senses having read the above. Our military should not be in Iraq to either referee soccer matches or their aftermath. NO BLOOD FOR SOCCER!!!

This blogger apologizes to the ever-prescient editorial board of The NY Times for this and previous attacks upon their present and previous omniscience in these most trying of times.

NO BLOOD FOR SOCCER!!!

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Co-Chair of Iraq Study Group - Route al Qaeda from Pakistan - Left and Right Unite!

THIS JUST IN: well yesterday:

"Former Rep. Lee Hamilton, who also served as the vice chairman of the 9/11 commission, says the Iraq war distracted the United States when it had al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on the run in the tribal region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He says it's now time to finish the job."

This latest assessment is based upon the recently release National Intelligence Estimate (Democrats have failed this "intelligence" test). Why does the Co-Chair of the Democrat Majority revered Iraq Study Group believe the U.S. should strike?

"If there's anything we should have learned, it's that we must not let al Qaeda have a sanctuary, which they certainly do in Pakistan today."

If there's anything we should have learned, it's that we must not let al Qaeda have a sanctuary!!!!! Democrats UNITE!!! It's time to leave the distraction that Iraq is behind!!! Take to the hills of Pakistan, which according to the sage Co-Chair it:

"has to be carefully calibrated, worked out with the Pakistanis. We will finish it off in every corner of the country.

I think we have to find ways and means, perhaps it's use of covert actions, perhaps it's use of special operations, perhaps it's the pursuit of the Taliban when they're in Afghanistan, to let us go after them as they move back into Pakistan.

Whatever it is, I do not find acceptable a sanctuary for al Qaeda in Pakistan. We have to be able to go after them."

I find this refreshing as it is a rare occasion when I find myself agreeing with a Democrat, retired or not. In these days of partisan polarization it is a welcome moment when sides of the aisle can come together in a way that they haven't done since perhaps the days following September 11, 2001.

Let this be a wake up call to all - A call to both sides of the aisle - Pakistan, the haven where al Qaeda is regenerating.

A call to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - bring the vote up again - let's take it from the distraction, take it to where the enemy truly is!!!

Wait a second...? What about the distraction? Might it not become a nation, like Afghanistan was that would be a haven for Iraq if we leave? Nah, it's just a distraction...the Iraq Study Group has spoken.

ONWARD TO PAKISTAN AND VICTORY!!!!!

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Red Mosque Siege in Pakistan and the Board

Yesterday, the editorial board of The NY Times had some advice for the Bush Administration regarding General Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan. Of Musharraf the board said:

“he has done far less than he promised — and far less than is needed. It’s not clear which side his intelligence services are rooting for, while Taliban and Qaeda fighters continue to find shelter and support on Pakistan’s side of the Afghan border.”

One cannot disagree that Musharraf’s Pakistan has done less than promised in the fight against terrorism, however via the opinion of the toiletPaper all the nuance that they find commendable in a Kerry, they don’t apply to themselves with regard to a problem that is not at all as simple as they would like.

Question to the board: whose intelligence will Musharrafs be if he is replaced whether Democratically or by other means?

The board believes:

“Washington needs to make clear to the Pakistani people that America is the ally of their country, not their dictator, and that the United States favors the earliest possible return to free elections and civilian rule.”

Well, this is hard to disagree with as well; but their people are definitely a mixed bag as are the many different parts of the government there. “America is the ally of their country,” including one assumes of Mohammed Abdul Aziz and Abdur Rashid Ghazi; the fellas in the lead on the Red Mosque stand-off.

Did the boards words strike fear in Musharraf and lead to the recent military storming of the mosque? Hmmmmm…..

BBC News considers the consequences of the siege:

“Pakistan's military ruler, Gen Pervez Musharraf, has often been accused of tolerating elements in the military and the intelligence services who are known to maintain ideological and strategic links with the country's Islamic militants.

That includes those holed up in Islamabad's Red Mosque (Lal Masjid).

So does the final showdown at the mosque mean that Gen Musharraf is moving decisively against those elements - and if so, what are the consequences?”

The board should consider more than just their simplistic biased views when blowing the hot air of their clarion call; whatever the subject.

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The Times Editorial Board in THEIR Labrynth When Considering Musharraf

Hmmm, The Times editorial board is at it again and all emotionally as well.

Regarding General Pervez Musharraf the board believes the U.S. should cut its loses with the sinking fortunes of the Pakistani leader:

“Washington continues to uncritically support the general’s highhanded rule.”

“We’ve seen this story too many times before. One version starred the shah of Iran, others some of General Musharraf’s predecessors. None ended happily for the United States or the nations involved. Dealing with dictators is sometimes necessary. Clinging to them when their people want them gone is unbecoming of the world’s greatest democracy and unhealthy for America’s long-term interests.”

It is just another cut and run tactic The Board loves, although I’ll agree that it would be nice as the board says, to have Pakistan “return to free elections and civilian rule,” in time; but at what cost? Even Time Magazine sees the light in reference to what Musharraf is up against at home, with:

“Called "my buddy" by George W. Bush, Musharraf, 62, has paid a price for his decision, having been the target of multiple assassination attempts by the militants who infest his country. His ties with the U.S. enrage religious radicals, who are his most dangerous opponents.”

Best by far is from someone that has a clue and doesn’t get into a hissy fit like The Times editorial board whenever something even slightly Bush is the subject.

From Foreign Affairs, “A False Choice in Pakistan,” Daniel Markey, July/August 2007 Vol 86, Number 4

“It is true that Pakistan's government needs greater popular legitimacy -- won through the ballot box -- in order to advance both long- and short-term counterterrorism goals. But the critics' prescriptions for how to advance these goals risk throwing the United States, Pakistan, and the war on terrorism off course without offering a better alternative. If members of the Pakistani army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) retain ties to militant groups, including Taliban sympathizers, they do so as a hedge against abandonment by Washington. The past six decades of on-again, off-again bilateral cooperation have undermined Pakistani confidence in long-term U.S. partnership. Washington, accordingly, should resist the appeal of the cathartic but counterproductive approach of confronting Islamabad with more sticks and fewer carrots. Any attempt to crack down on Pakistan will exacerbate distrust, resulting in increased Pakistani support for jihadists; coercive threats will undermine confidence without producing better results.”

Markey suggests “shifting gears:”

“Washington should shift gears in its approach to Pakistan, but it should not reverse course. Given the abysmal state of U.S.-Pakistani relations on the eve of 9/11, the Bush administration's six-year partnership with Musharraf has paid real dividends. Pakistan's macroeconomic outlook and its relationship with India have both improved, creating new prospects for long-term stability and prosperity.”

Shifting gears is appropriate advice to any side of our arguments these days. The Times, the Left and others growing weary of Musharraf’s Pakistan prefer shifting gears into R, which, suffice it to say is not Race; anyone knows (I hope) that driving along at a decent clip and jamming the gearshift into Reverse isn’t really a good thing. The same applies to any alliance, whether perfect (are there any out there?) or not. We need to appreciate the positives rather than just negatives and not simplify the arguments, which is something we love to do; great for the game of politics but not the game of life.

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