Bush mentions al Qaida 27 times in latest Iraq speech

RolandTD20Kdrummer

"Facing eroding support for his Iraq policy, even among Republicans, President Bush on Thursday called al Qaida “the main enemy” in Iraq, an assertion rejected by his administration’s senior intelligence analysts.

The reference, in a major speech at the Naval War College that referred to al Qaida at least 27 times, seemed calculated to use lingering outrage over the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to bolster support for the current buildup of U.S. troops in Iraq, despite evidence that sending more troops hasn’t reduced the violence or sped Iraqi government action on key issues.

U.S. military and intelligence officials, however, say that Iraqis with ties to al Qaida are only a small fraction of the threat to American troops. The group known as al Qaida in Iraq didn’t exist before the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, didn’t pledge its loyalty to al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden until October 2004 and isn’t controlled by bin Laden or his top aides."

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/06/29/bush-mentions-al-qaida-27-times-in-latest-iraq-speech/

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/17471.html

ArmsinaV

Al Qaeda only gained prominence and legitimacy in the Arab world with our ignorant invasion of Iraq. Bush has put us in an unwinnable situation in Iraq.

Radical Islam is a grave threat that has not lessened with our fight in Iraq. True, we have killed radicals of Al Qaeda, but the bottom line is we have also not made our world any safer. Hussein was a tyrant. But he was never the biggest threat to the U.S. or the biggest supporter of terrorists in the region. (He did support them with some training camps, aid, etc.)

The fight in Afghanistan was seen as legitimate by the world, largely, but also in a large section of he radical Islamist world. Fascinating stuff, actually. I'm reading a book called, "Journey of the Jihadist". The author - from Lebanon - interviews top radicals in the movement from 1999 until 2005 or so. After 9/11, bin Laden was NOT embraced by key leaders of the movement. He was greatly chastised, in fact.

My fear is that the US hurried him back into the limelight and gave him legitimacy with the Iraq war. bid Laden wasn't going to just fade away, but the US was winning the fight - especially the PR battle inside the Muslim world - against Al Qaeda. Now, that isn't the case.

dunkman

27 times? the stuttering prick*.



*i stole that from Joe Pesci in Goodfellas

Cover Me

ArmsinaV wrote:

Al Qaeda only gained prominence and legitimacy in the Arab world with our ignorant invasion of Iraq. Bush has put us in an unwinnable situation in Iraq.

Radical Islam is a grave threat that has not lessened with our fight in Iraq. True, we have killed radicals of Al Qaeda, but the bottom line is we have also not made our world any safer. Hussein was a tyrant. But he was never the biggest threat to the U.S. or the biggest supporter of terrorists in the region. (He did support them with some training camps, aid, etc.)

The fight in Afghanistan was seen as legitimate by the world, largely, but also in a large section of he radical Islamist world. Fascinating stuff, actually. I'm reading a book called, "Journey of the Jihadist". The author - from Lebanon - interviews top radicals in the movement from 1999 until 2005 or so. After 9/11, bin Laden was NOT embraced by key leaders of the movement. He was greatly chastised, in fact.

My fear is that the US hurried him back into the limelight and gave him legitimacy with the Iraq war. bid Laden wasn't going to just fade away, but the US was winning the fight - especially the PR battle inside the Muslim world - against Al Qaeda. Now, that isn't the case.

Thanks for the heads up on the book you are reading. Sounds like some interesting stuff.

ArmsinaV

Cover Me wrote:

Thanks for the heads up on the book you are reading. Sounds like some interesting stuff.

Yeah, it is cool, written by a guy named Fawaz Gerges. He's able to obtain in-depth interviews because of his background and ability to speak Arabic.

Bin Laden's bodyguard and confidant is interviewed, as well as a major Egyptian radial who helped to assassinate Anwar Sadat. Sheds light on things if you're interested in the radical Islamic movement/threat.

Cover Me

ArmsinaV wrote:

Yeah, it is cool, written by a guy named Fawaz Gerges. He's able to obtain in-depth interviews because of his background and ability to speak Arabic.

Bin Laden's bodyguard and confidant is interviewed, as well as a major Egyptian radial who helped to assassinate Anwar Sadat. Sheds light on things if you're interested in the radical Islamic movement/threat.

My son is in Iraq. This is just the book I'm looking for. I need some answers.

Really, thanks allot.

Bu2

http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2007/06/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-lie-lie.html

ArmsinaV

Bu2 wrote:

http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2007/06/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-lie-lie.html

Al-Qaeda is a gravely dangerous threat that should not be forgotten. But, in the case of Iraq, Bush only gave them exactly needed. A regional base to train and breed members.