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by Sharon Sebastian

That Jihadists demonstrate dwindling fear of Barack Obama portends a crisis of international proportions that threatens global stability. As Obama’s domestic economic policies wreak havoc on families and our nation, his kid-gloves foreign policy has now proven to be deadly with the loss of American lives. Still, Obama rejects that the uprising in the Middle East is anti-American even as his image is burned in effigy by Islamist extremists along with the American flag.

Jihadists have bided their time and gaged the current American president. Notable is Obama’s peculiar reticence to admit to the American people who the enemy is — Islamist extremists — even when that enemy openly and repeatedly threatens destruction of the United States. Former United Nation’s Ambassador John Bolton says evidence of that is Obama treating the violent deaths of four Americans in Libya as a “criminal law” matter rather than an organized terrorist attack by mobs armed with RPGs, mortar rounds and foreign agitators as reported by Libyan authorities.

For four years, Obama has weakened America economically, militarily, and globally. Obama has made America increasingly vulnerable. So swiftly it has occurred that many assign premeditation and not naiveté. Despite Obama’s grandiose assurances that his personal charm would bring peace to the Middle East, average Americans held no disillusions as Barack Obama stirred up the Arab Spring that toppled regimes — leaving a gaping leadership void – that allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to quickly step-in and fill. No one needed an intelligence briefing to see it coming. Yet, Obama disclaims the obvious. He defended his actions, claimed the Brotherhood sought only democracy, then went golfing, campaigning and hanging with celebs while ignoring intelligence reports regarding ominous threats to American interests worldwide.

Citing additional threats to security at home, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) questions this President’s inexplicable behavior. Bachmann demands to know why the Department of Homeland Security, under Obama and Janet Napolitano, categorize “Christians, American Constitutionalists, and Patriots as potential threats” — while labeling the so-called “precursor activities” of terrorists and jihadists as “cultural behaviors.” Bachmann reports that Homeland Security may currently employ eight Muslim Brotherhood members in key, sensitive positions.  She further wants clarity regarding why Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, whose family members reportedly have a long and deep history of high-ranking leadership within the Muslim Brotherhood, now serves as Clinton’s closest advisor.

In regard to the Muslim Brotherhood, Obama cannot plead ignorance to its threat. NewsBusters’ Brad Wilmouth wrote a widely read article eighteen months ago titled, “The New Leader of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in His Own Words,” which reads in part:

“CAMERA’s Steven Stotsky picked up on a translation of Mohammed Badie’s first public address after being chosen as Muslim Brotherhood leader in January 2010:

“[The Arab and Muslim regimes] are disregarding Allah’s commandment to wage jihad for His sake with [their] money and [their] lives, so that Allah’s word will reign supreme and the infidels’ word will be inferior…  They crucially need to understand that the improvement and change that the [Muslim] nation seeks can only be attained through jihad and sacrifice and by raising a jihadi generation that pursues death just as the enemies pursue life.”

As pointed out in my previous article, “Obama & Islam,” Obama unleashed uprisings in the Middle East while implementing a radical, Socialist agenda back home. His overall intent is not as bifurcated as it may appear. The Islamists are waging a war of religion while the radical left is waging a war of ideas. The mutual goal is the toppling of a republic based, Judeo-Christian founded and Constitutionally-grounded America. Jihadists want America to become an Islamic state like Iran, whereas the left wants a “transformation of America” to a Socialist/Marxist nation. Both systems devour individual rights and freedoms. Key to both movements is total elimination of all belief systems counter to their own. Were they to succeed, as natural enemies, Islamists and Socialists will eventually target one another. Radical Islam condemns to death all that reject a belief in Allah. Socialists/Marxists constitute much of America’s Progressive-Left and have consistently legislated God out of American society, seeking to become god to the masses.

President Obama is the titular head of the Progressive-Left.  President Obama understands Islam having studied the Koran in Indonesia. Part of the curriculum was that The Twelfth Imam or 12^th Mahdi is the Islamic savior — its Islamic messiah. Islam requires that in order for the 12^th Imam to reveal himself, the world must be in global war. Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly believes that he has the divine mission to “hasten the return” of the 12^th Mahdi. Destroying Israel, then America — erupts the world into the chaos needed for the Mahdi’s return.

Christianity came into existence some 600 years before Islam. The Christian Messiah is the Savior Jesus Christ. Islam reveres Jesus as a lesser prophet and not God, which puts Islam at inextricable odds with Christianity. Iranian President Ahmadinejad believes the “Mahdi” or “Twelfth Imam” will appear publicly during a time of great disaster, with Jesus at his side, to bring peace to a war-torn world. It is said that the 12^th Madhi will take Jesus to Mecca to replace the Bible with the Koran so that Christians worldwide will convert to Islam. A “Muslim anti-Christ” is also to surface in the world and falsely convince Jews that he is their “Jesus the Messiah” that they have long awaited.

An “Islamic Jesus,” it is said, will kill all Jews and behead anyone worldwide who does not accept Islam as the only true religion. The Islamic Mahdi will set-up his kingdom in Jerusalem, establish a worldwide Caliphate, along with Shariah Law, and rule the world. Homosexuals will be killed and women will remain as property and oppressed. Such belief is a driving force of today’s war on non-Islamic nations; an ancient war based on fundamental Islam that has entrenched the globe in a war on terror. Moderate Muslims declare that only extremists hold such beliefs.

The funding by Iran of the upheaval in the Middle East, the positioning of radical Muslim groups in governments across the region from Lebanon to Egypt cannot simply be dismissed as a war of ideologies between the West and the Muslim world. By Ahmadinejad’s admission, Iran’s role in the turmoil in the Middle East is to set the stage for the return of the 12^th Imam. Obama’s years studying Islam should have taught him that he cannot schmooze leaders like Ahmadinejad, gain their favor, and unmoor them from what they believe is the only reason they exist on the planet. Islamic radicals seek world chaos targeting first Israel and then the United States.

The radical-left within Obama’s own party seeks a “transformation” into Socialism with a dependent citizenry existing in a damaged economy with limited freedoms. Though he tries to understate them, Obama clearly understands the ultimate motives of both threats to America. His inability or unwillingness to address both presents a profound danger to the American people.

Sharon Sebastian is an author, writer, and contributor to various forms of media including cultural and political broadcasts, print, and online websites. In addition to the heated global debate on creation vs. evolution, her second book, Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, highlights the impact of Social Darwinism’s Marxist/Socialist underpinnings on the culture, the faith and current policy out of Washington. Critics are calling Darwin’s Racists – “Incredibly Timely” and “A Book for our Times.” Sebastian’s political and cultural analyses are published nationally and internationally. 

“Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” may be ordered at: www.DarwinsRacists.com, www.Amazon.com,www.BarnesandNoble.com and at bookstores online and worldwide.
Sharon Sebastian on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZHzMG66Kg

by Sharon Sebastian

That Jihadists demonstrate dwindling fear of Barack Obama portends a crisis of international proportions that threatens global stability. As Obama’s domestic economic policies wreak havoc on families and our nation, his kid-gloves foreign policy has now proven to be deadly with the loss of American lives. Still, Obama rejects that the uprising in the Middle East is anti-American even as his image is burned in effigy by Islamist extremists along with the American flag.

Jihadists have bided their time and gaged the current American president. Notable is Obama’s peculiar reticence to admit to the American people who the enemy is — Islamist extremists — even when that enemy openly and repeatedly threatens destruction of the United States. Former United Nation’s Ambassador John Bolton says evidence of that is Obama treating the violent deaths of four Americans in Libya as a “criminal law” matter rather than an organized terrorist attack by mobs armed with RPGs, mortar rounds and foreign agitators as reported by Libyan authorities.

For four years, Obama has weakened America economically, militarily, and globally. Obama has made America increasingly vulnerable. So swiftly it has occurred that many assign premeditation and not naiveté. Despite Obama’s grandiose assurances that his personal charm would bring peace to the Middle East, average Americans held no disillusions as Barack Obama stirred up the Arab Spring that toppled regimes — leaving a gaping leadership void – that allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to quickly step-in and fill. No one needed an intelligence briefing to see it coming. Yet, Obama disclaims the obvious. He defended his actions, claimed the Brotherhood sought only democracy, then went golfing, campaigning and hanging with celebs while ignoring intelligence reports regarding ominous threats to American interests worldwide.

Citing additional threats to security at home, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) questions this President’s inexplicable behavior. Bachmann demands to know why the Department of Homeland Security, under Obama and Janet Napolitano, categorize “Christians, American Constitutionalists, and Patriots as potential threats” — while labeling the so-called “precursor activities” of terrorists and jihadists as “cultural behaviors.” Bachmann reports that Homeland Security may currently employ eight Muslim Brotherhood members in key, sensitive positions.  She further wants clarity regarding why Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, whose family members reportedly have a long and deep history of high-ranking leadership within the Muslim Brotherhood, now serves as Clinton’s closest advisor.

In regard to the Muslim Brotherhood, Obama cannot plead ignorance to its threat. NewsBusters’ Brad Wilmouth wrote a widely read article eighteen months ago titled, “The New Leader of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in His Own Words,” which reads in part:

“CAMERA’s Steven Stotsky picked up on a translation of Mohammed Badie’s first public address after being chosen as Muslim Brotherhood leader in January 2010:

“[The Arab and Muslim regimes] are disregarding Allah’s commandment to wage jihad for His sake with [their] money and [their] lives, so that Allah’s word will reign supreme and the infidels’ word will be inferior…  They crucially need to understand that the improvement and change that the [Muslim] nation seeks can only be attained through jihad and sacrifice and by raising a jihadi generation that pursues death just as the enemies pursue life.”

As pointed out in my previous article, “Obama & Islam,” Obama unleashed uprisings in the Middle East while implementing a radical, Socialist agenda back home. His overall intent is not as bifurcated as it may appear. The Islamists are waging a war of religion while the radical left is waging a war of ideas. The mutual goal is the toppling of a republic based, Judeo-Christian founded and Constitutionally-grounded America. Jihadists want America to become an Islamic state like Iran, whereas the left wants a “transformation of America” to a Socialist/Marxist nation. Both systems devour individual rights and freedoms. Key to both movements is total elimination of all belief systems counter to their own. Were they to succeed, as natural enemies, Islamists and Socialists will eventually target one another. Radical Islam condemns to death all that reject a belief in Allah. Socialists/Marxists constitute much of America’s Progressive-Left and have consistently legislated God out of American society, seeking to become god to the masses.

President Obama is the titular head of the Progressive-Left.  President Obama understands Islam having studied the Koran in Indonesia. Part of the curriculum was that The Twelfth Imam or 12^th Mahdi is the Islamic savior — its Islamic messiah. Islam requires that in order for the 12^th Imam to reveal himself, the world must be in global war. Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly believes that he has the divine mission to “hasten the return” of the 12^th Mahdi. Destroying Israel, then America — erupts the world into the chaos needed for the Mahdi’s return.

Christianity came into existence some 600 years before Islam. The Christian Messiah is the Savior Jesus Christ. Islam reveres Jesus as a lesser prophet and not God, which puts Islam at inextricable odds with Christianity. Iranian President Ahmadinejad believes the “Mahdi” or “Twelfth Imam” will appear publicly during a time of great disaster, with Jesus at his side, to bring peace to a war-torn world. It is said that the 12^th Madhi will take Jesus to Mecca to replace the Bible with the Koran so that Christians worldwide will convert to Islam. A “Muslim anti-Christ” is also to surface in the world and falsely convince Jews that he is their “Jesus the Messiah” that they have long awaited.

An “Islamic Jesus,” it is said, will kill all Jews and behead anyone worldwide who does not accept Islam as the only true religion. The Islamic Mahdi will set-up his kingdom in Jerusalem, establish a worldwide Caliphate, along with Shariah Law, and rule the world. Homosexuals will be killed and women will remain as property and oppressed. Such belief is a driving force of today’s war on non-Islamic nations; an ancient war based on fundamental Islam that has entrenched the globe in a war on terror. Moderate Muslims declare that only extremists hold such beliefs.

The funding by Iran of the upheaval in the Middle East, the positioning of radical Muslim groups in governments across the region from Lebanon to Egypt cannot simply be dismissed as a war of ideologies between the West and the Muslim world. By Ahmadinejad’s admission, Iran’s role in the turmoil in the Middle East is to set the stage for the return of the 12^th Imam. Obama’s years studying Islam should have taught him that he cannot schmooze leaders like Ahmadinejad, gain their favor, and unmoor them from what they believe is the only reason they exist on the planet. Islamic radicals seek world chaos targeting first Israel and then the United States.

The radical-left within Obama’s own party seeks a “transformation” into Socialism with a dependent citizenry existing in a damaged economy with limited freedoms. Though he tries to understate them, Obama clearly understands the ultimate motives of both threats to America. His inability or unwillingness to address both presents a profound danger to the American people.

Sharon Sebastian is an author, writer, and contributor to various forms of media including cultural and political broadcasts, print, and online websites. In addition to the heated global debate on creation vs. evolution, her second book, Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, highlights the impact of Social Darwinism’s Marxist/Socialist underpinnings on the culture, the faith and current policy out of Washington. Critics are calling Darwin’s Racists – “Incredibly Timely” and “A Book for our Times.” Sebastian’s political and cultural analyses are published nationally and internationally. 

“Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” may be ordered at: www.DarwinsRacists.com, www.Amazon.com,www.BarnesandNoble.com and at bookstores online and worldwide.
Sharon Sebastian on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZHzMG66Kg

by Sharon Sebastian

That Jihadists demonstrate dwindling fear of Barack Obama portends a crisis of international proportions that threatens global stability. As Obama’s domestic economic policies wreak havoc on families and our nation, his kid-gloves foreign policy has now proven to be deadly with the loss of American lives. Still, Obama rejects that the uprising in the Middle East is anti-American even as his image is burned in effigy by Islamist extremists along with the American flag.

Jihadists have bided their time and gaged the current American president. Notable is Obama’s peculiar reticence to admit to the American people who the enemy is — Islamist extremists — even when that enemy openly and repeatedly threatens destruction of the United States. Former United Nation’s Ambassador John Bolton says evidence of that is Obama treating the violent deaths of four Americans in Libya as a “criminal law” matter rather than an organized terrorist attack by mobs armed with RPGs, mortar rounds and foreign agitators as reported by Libyan authorities.

For four years, Obama has weakened America economically, militarily, and globally. Obama has made America increasingly vulnerable. So swiftly it has occurred that many assign premeditation and not naiveté. Despite Obama’s grandiose assurances that his personal charm would bring peace to the Middle East, average Americans held no disillusions as Barack Obama stirred up the Arab Spring that toppled regimes — leaving a gaping leadership void – that allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to quickly step-in and fill. No one needed an intelligence briefing to see it coming. Yet, Obama disclaims the obvious. He defended his actions, claimed the Brotherhood sought only democracy, then went golfing, campaigning and hanging with celebs while ignoring intelligence reports regarding ominous threats to American interests worldwide.

Citing additional threats to security at home, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) questions this President’s inexplicable behavior. Bachmann demands to know why the Department of Homeland Security, under Obama and Janet Napolitano, categorize “Christians, American Constitutionalists, and Patriots as potential threats” — while labeling the so-called “precursor activities” of terrorists and jihadists as “cultural behaviors.” Bachmann reports that Homeland Security may currently employ eight Muslim Brotherhood members in key, sensitive positions.  She further wants clarity regarding why Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, whose family members reportedly have a long and deep history of high-ranking leadership within the Muslim Brotherhood, now serves as Clinton’s closest advisor.

In regard to the Muslim Brotherhood, Obama cannot plead ignorance to its threat. NewsBusters’ Brad Wilmouth wrote a widely read article eighteen months ago titled, “The New Leader of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in His Own Words,” which reads in part:

“CAMERA’s Steven Stotsky picked up on a translation of Mohammed Badie’s first public address after being chosen as Muslim Brotherhood leader in January 2010:

“[The Arab and Muslim regimes] are disregarding Allah’s commandment to wage jihad for His sake with [their] money and [their] lives, so that Allah’s word will reign supreme and the infidels’ word will be inferior…  They crucially need to understand that the improvement and change that the [Muslim] nation seeks can only be attained through jihad and sacrifice and by raising a jihadi generation that pursues death just as the enemies pursue life.”

As pointed out in my previous article, “Obama & Islam,” Obama unleashed uprisings in the Middle East while implementing a radical, Socialist agenda back home. His overall intent is not as bifurcated as it may appear. The Islamists are waging a war of religion while the radical left is waging a war of ideas. The mutual goal is the toppling of a republic based, Judeo-Christian founded and Constitutionally-grounded America. Jihadists want America to become an Islamic state like Iran, whereas the left wants a “transformation of America” to a Socialist/Marxist nation. Both systems devour individual rights and freedoms. Key to both movements is total elimination of all belief systems counter to their own. Were they to succeed, as natural enemies, Islamists and Socialists will eventually target one another. Radical Islam condemns to death all that reject a belief in Allah. Socialists/Marxists constitute much of America’s Progressive-Left and have consistently legislated God out of American society, seeking to become god to the masses.

President Obama is the titular head of the Progressive-Left.  President Obama understands Islam having studied the Koran in Indonesia. Part of the curriculum was that The Twelfth Imam or 12^th Mahdi is the Islamic savior — its Islamic messiah. Islam requires that in order for the 12^th Imam to reveal himself, the world must be in global war. Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly believes that he has the divine mission to “hasten the return” of the 12^th Mahdi. Destroying Israel, then America — erupts the world into the chaos needed for the Mahdi’s return.

Christianity came into existence some 600 years before Islam. The Christian Messiah is the Savior Jesus Christ. Islam reveres Jesus as a lesser prophet and not God, which puts Islam at inextricable odds with Christianity. Iranian President Ahmadinejad believes the “Mahdi” or “Twelfth Imam” will appear publicly during a time of great disaster, with Jesus at his side, to bring peace to a war-torn world. It is said that the 12^th Madhi will take Jesus to Mecca to replace the Bible with the Koran so that Christians worldwide will convert to Islam. A “Muslim anti-Christ” is also to surface in the world and falsely convince Jews that he is their “Jesus the Messiah” that they have long awaited.

An “Islamic Jesus,” it is said, will kill all Jews and behead anyone worldwide who does not accept Islam as the only true religion. The Islamic Mahdi will set-up his kingdom in Jerusalem, establish a worldwide Caliphate, along with Shariah Law, and rule the world. Homosexuals will be killed and women will remain as property and oppressed. Such belief is a driving force of today’s war on non-Islamic nations; an ancient war based on fundamental Islam that has entrenched the globe in a war on terror. Moderate Muslims declare that only extremists hold such beliefs.

The funding by Iran of the upheaval in the Middle East, the positioning of radical Muslim groups in governments across the region from Lebanon to Egypt cannot simply be dismissed as a war of ideologies between the West and the Muslim world. By Ahmadinejad’s admission, Iran’s role in the turmoil in the Middle East is to set the stage for the return of the 12^th Imam. Obama’s years studying Islam should have taught him that he cannot schmooze leaders like Ahmadinejad, gain their favor, and unmoor them from what they believe is the only reason they exist on the planet. Islamic radicals seek world chaos targeting first Israel and then the United States.

The radical-left within Obama’s own party seeks a “transformation” into Socialism with a dependent citizenry existing in a damaged economy with limited freedoms. Though he tries to understate them, Obama clearly understands the ultimate motives of both threats to America. His inability or unwillingness to address both presents a profound danger to the American people.

Sharon Sebastian is an author, writer, and contributor to various forms of media including cultural and political broadcasts, print, and online websites. In addition to the heated global debate on creation vs. evolution, her second book, Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, highlights the impact of Social Darwinism’s Marxist/Socialist underpinnings on the culture, the faith and current policy out of Washington. Critics are calling Darwin’s Racists – “Incredibly Timely” and “A Book for our Times.” Sebastian’s political and cultural analyses are published nationally and internationally. 

“Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” may be ordered at: www.DarwinsRacists.com, www.Amazon.com,www.BarnesandNoble.com and at bookstores online and worldwide.
Sharon Sebastian on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZHzMG66Kg

by Sharon Sebastian

That Jihadists demonstrate dwindling fear of Barack Obama portends a crisis of international proportions that threatens global stability. As Obama’s domestic economic policies wreak havoc on families and our nation, his kid-gloves foreign policy has now proven to be deadly with the loss of American lives. Still, Obama rejects that the uprising in the Middle East is anti-American even as his image is burned in effigy by Islamist extremists along with the American flag.

Jihadists have bided their time and gaged the current American president. Notable is Obama’s peculiar reticence to admit to the American people who the enemy is — Islamist extremists — even when that enemy openly and repeatedly threatens destruction of the United States. Former United Nation’s Ambassador John Bolton says evidence of that is Obama treating the violent deaths of four Americans in Libya as a “criminal law” matter rather than an organized terrorist attack by mobs armed with RPGs, mortar rounds and foreign agitators as reported by Libyan authorities.

For four years, Obama has weakened America economically, militarily, and globally. Obama has made America increasingly vulnerable. So swiftly it has occurred that many assign premeditation and not naiveté. Despite Obama’s grandiose assurances that his personal charm would bring peace to the Middle East, average Americans held no disillusions as Barack Obama stirred up the Arab Spring that toppled regimes — leaving a gaping leadership void – that allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to quickly step-in and fill. No one needed an intelligence briefing to see it coming. Yet, Obama disclaims the obvious. He defended his actions, claimed the Brotherhood sought only democracy, then went golfing, campaigning and hanging with celebs while ignoring intelligence reports regarding ominous threats to American interests worldwide.

Citing additional threats to security at home, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) questions this President’s inexplicable behavior. Bachmann demands to know why the Department of Homeland Security, under Obama and Janet Napolitano, categorize “Christians, American Constitutionalists, and Patriots as potential threats” — while labeling the so-called “precursor activities” of terrorists and jihadists as “cultural behaviors.” Bachmann reports that Homeland Security may currently employ eight Muslim Brotherhood members in key, sensitive positions.  She further wants clarity regarding why Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, whose family members reportedly have a long and deep history of high-ranking leadership within the Muslim Brotherhood, now serves as Clinton’s closest advisor.

In regard to the Muslim Brotherhood, Obama cannot plead ignorance to its threat. NewsBusters’ Brad Wilmouth wrote a widely read article eighteen months ago titled, “The New Leader of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in His Own Words,” which reads in part:

“CAMERA’s Steven Stotsky picked up on a translation of Mohammed Badie’s first public address after being chosen as Muslim Brotherhood leader in January 2010:

“[The Arab and Muslim regimes] are disregarding Allah’s commandment to wage jihad for His sake with [their] money and [their] lives, so that Allah’s word will reign supreme and the infidels’ word will be inferior…  They crucially need to understand that the improvement and change that the [Muslim] nation seeks can only be attained through jihad and sacrifice and by raising a jihadi generation that pursues death just as the enemies pursue life.”

As pointed out in my previous article, “Obama & Islam,” Obama unleashed uprisings in the Middle East while implementing a radical, Socialist agenda back home. His overall intent is not as bifurcated as it may appear. The Islamists are waging a war of religion while the radical left is waging a war of ideas. The mutual goal is the toppling of a republic based, Judeo-Christian founded and Constitutionally-grounded America. Jihadists want America to become an Islamic state like Iran, whereas the left wants a “transformation of America” to a Socialist/Marxist nation. Both systems devour individual rights and freedoms. Key to both movements is total elimination of all belief systems counter to their own. Were they to succeed, as natural enemies, Islamists and Socialists will eventually target one another. Radical Islam condemns to death all that reject a belief in Allah. Socialists/Marxists constitute much of America’s Progressive-Left and have consistently legislated God out of American society, seeking to become god to the masses.

President Obama is the titular head of the Progressive-Left.  President Obama understands Islam having studied the Koran in Indonesia. Part of the curriculum was that The Twelfth Imam or 12^th Mahdi is the Islamic savior — its Islamic messiah. Islam requires that in order for the 12^th Imam to reveal himself, the world must be in global war. Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly believes that he has the divine mission to “hasten the return” of the 12^th Mahdi. Destroying Israel, then America — erupts the world into the chaos needed for the Mahdi’s return.

Christianity came into existence some 600 years before Islam. The Christian Messiah is the Savior Jesus Christ. Islam reveres Jesus as a lesser prophet and not God, which puts Islam at inextricable odds with Christianity. Iranian President Ahmadinejad believes the “Mahdi” or “Twelfth Imam” will appear publicly during a time of great disaster, with Jesus at his side, to bring peace to a war-torn world. It is said that the 12^th Madhi will take Jesus to Mecca to replace the Bible with the Koran so that Christians worldwide will convert to Islam. A “Muslim anti-Christ” is also to surface in the world and falsely convince Jews that he is their “Jesus the Messiah” that they have long awaited.

An “Islamic Jesus,” it is said, will kill all Jews and behead anyone worldwide who does not accept Islam as the only true religion. The Islamic Mahdi will set-up his kingdom in Jerusalem, establish a worldwide Caliphate, along with Shariah Law, and rule the world. Homosexuals will be killed and women will remain as property and oppressed. Such belief is a driving force of today’s war on non-Islamic nations; an ancient war based on fundamental Islam that has entrenched the globe in a war on terror. Moderate Muslims declare that only extremists hold such beliefs.

The funding by Iran of the upheaval in the Middle East, the positioning of radical Muslim groups in governments across the region from Lebanon to Egypt cannot simply be dismissed as a war of ideologies between the West and the Muslim world. By Ahmadinejad’s admission, Iran’s role in the turmoil in the Middle East is to set the stage for the return of the 12^th Imam. Obama’s years studying Islam should have taught him that he cannot schmooze leaders like Ahmadinejad, gain their favor, and unmoor them from what they believe is the only reason they exist on the planet. Islamic radicals seek world chaos targeting first Israel and then the United States.

The radical-left within Obama’s own party seeks a “transformation” into Socialism with a dependent citizenry existing in a damaged economy with limited freedoms. Though he tries to understate them, Obama clearly understands the ultimate motives of both threats to America. His inability or unwillingness to address both presents a profound danger to the American people.

Sharon Sebastian is an author, writer, and contributor to various forms of media including cultural and political broadcasts, print, and online websites. In addition to the heated global debate on creation vs. evolution, her second book, Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, highlights the impact of Social Darwinism’s Marxist/Socialist underpinnings on the culture, the faith and current policy out of Washington. Critics are calling Darwin’s Racists – “Incredibly Timely” and “A Book for our Times.” Sebastian’s political and cultural analyses are published nationally and internationally. 

“Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” may be ordered at: www.DarwinsRacists.com, www.Amazon.com,www.BarnesandNoble.com and at bookstores online and worldwide.
Sharon Sebastian on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZHzMG66Kg

by Sharon Sebastian

That Jihadists demonstrate dwindling fear of Barack Obama portends a crisis of international proportions that threatens global stability. As Obama’s domestic economic policies wreak havoc on families and our nation, his kid-gloves foreign policy has now proven to be deadly with the loss of American lives. Still, Obama rejects that the uprising in the Middle East is anti-American even as his image is burned in effigy by Islamist extremists along with the American flag.

Jihadists have bided their time and gaged the current American president. Notable is Obama’s peculiar reticence to admit to the American people who the enemy is — Islamist extremists — even when that enemy openly and repeatedly threatens destruction of the United States. Former United Nation’s Ambassador John Bolton says evidence of that is Obama treating the violent deaths of four Americans in Libya as a “criminal law” matter rather than an organized terrorist attack by mobs armed with RPGs, mortar rounds and foreign agitators as reported by Libyan authorities.

For four years, Obama has weakened America economically, militarily, and globally. Obama has made America increasingly vulnerable. So swiftly it has occurred that many assign premeditation and not naiveté. Despite Obama’s grandiose assurances that his personal charm would bring peace to the Middle East, average Americans held no disillusions as Barack Obama stirred up the Arab Spring that toppled regimes — leaving a gaping leadership void – that allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to quickly step-in and fill. No one needed an intelligence briefing to see it coming. Yet, Obama disclaims the obvious. He defended his actions, claimed the Brotherhood sought only democracy, then went golfing, campaigning and hanging with celebs while ignoring intelligence reports regarding ominous threats to American interests worldwide.

Citing additional threats to security at home, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) questions this President’s inexplicable behavior. Bachmann demands to know why the Department of Homeland Security, under Obama and Janet Napolitano, categorize “Christians, American Constitutionalists, and Patriots as potential threats” — while labeling the so-called “precursor activities” of terrorists and jihadists as “cultural behaviors.” Bachmann reports that Homeland Security may currently employ eight Muslim Brotherhood members in key, sensitive positions.  She further wants clarity regarding why Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, whose family members reportedly have a long and deep history of high-ranking leadership within the Muslim Brotherhood, now serves as Clinton’s closest advisor.

In regard to the Muslim Brotherhood, Obama cannot plead ignorance to its threat. NewsBusters’ Brad Wilmouth wrote a widely read article eighteen months ago titled, “The New Leader of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in His Own Words,” which reads in part:

“CAMERA’s Steven Stotsky picked up on a translation of Mohammed Badie’s first public address after being chosen as Muslim Brotherhood leader in January 2010:

“[The Arab and Muslim regimes] are disregarding Allah’s commandment to wage jihad for His sake with [their] money and [their] lives, so that Allah’s word will reign supreme and the infidels’ word will be inferior…  They crucially need to understand that the improvement and change that the [Muslim] nation seeks can only be attained through jihad and sacrifice and by raising a jihadi generation that pursues death just as the enemies pursue life.”

As pointed out in my previous article, “Obama & Islam,” Obama unleashed uprisings in the Middle East while implementing a radical, Socialist agenda back home. His overall intent is not as bifurcated as it may appear. The Islamists are waging a war of religion while the radical left is waging a war of ideas. The mutual goal is the toppling of a republic based, Judeo-Christian founded and Constitutionally-grounded America. Jihadists want America to become an Islamic state like Iran, whereas the left wants a “transformation of America” to a Socialist/Marxist nation. Both systems devour individual rights and freedoms. Key to both movements is total elimination of all belief systems counter to their own. Were they to succeed, as natural enemies, Islamists and Socialists will eventually target one another. Radical Islam condemns to death all that reject a belief in Allah. Socialists/Marxists constitute much of America’s Progressive-Left and have consistently legislated God out of American society, seeking to become god to the masses.

President Obama is the titular head of the Progressive-Left.  President Obama understands Islam having studied the Koran in Indonesia. Part of the curriculum was that The Twelfth Imam or 12^th Mahdi is the Islamic savior — its Islamic messiah. Islam requires that in order for the 12^th Imam to reveal himself, the world must be in global war. Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly believes that he has the divine mission to “hasten the return” of the 12^th Mahdi. Destroying Israel, then America — erupts the world into the chaos needed for the Mahdi’s return.

Christianity came into existence some 600 years before Islam. The Christian Messiah is the Savior Jesus Christ. Islam reveres Jesus as a lesser prophet and not God, which puts Islam at inextricable odds with Christianity. Iranian President Ahmadinejad believes the “Mahdi” or “Twelfth Imam” will appear publicly during a time of great disaster, with Jesus at his side, to bring peace to a war-torn world. It is said that the 12^th Madhi will take Jesus to Mecca to replace the Bible with the Koran so that Christians worldwide will convert to Islam. A “Muslim anti-Christ” is also to surface in the world and falsely convince Jews that he is their “Jesus the Messiah” that they have long awaited.

An “Islamic Jesus,” it is said, will kill all Jews and behead anyone worldwide who does not accept Islam as the only true religion. The Islamic Mahdi will set-up his kingdom in Jerusalem, establish a worldwide Caliphate, along with Shariah Law, and rule the world. Homosexuals will be killed and women will remain as property and oppressed. Such belief is a driving force of today’s war on non-Islamic nations; an ancient war based on fundamental Islam that has entrenched the globe in a war on terror. Moderate Muslims declare that only extremists hold such beliefs.

The funding by Iran of the upheaval in the Middle East, the positioning of radical Muslim groups in governments across the region from Lebanon to Egypt cannot simply be dismissed as a war of ideologies between the West and the Muslim world. By Ahmadinejad’s admission, Iran’s role in the turmoil in the Middle East is to set the stage for the return of the 12^th Imam. Obama’s years studying Islam should have taught him that he cannot schmooze leaders like Ahmadinejad, gain their favor, and unmoor them from what they believe is the only reason they exist on the planet. Islamic radicals seek world chaos targeting first Israel and then the United States.

The radical-left within Obama’s own party seeks a “transformation” into Socialism with a dependent citizenry existing in a damaged economy with limited freedoms. Though he tries to understate them, Obama clearly understands the ultimate motives of both threats to America. His inability or unwillingness to address both presents a profound danger to the American people.

Sharon Sebastian is an author, writer, and contributor to various forms of media including cultural and political broadcasts, print, and online websites. In addition to the heated global debate on creation vs. evolution, her second book, Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, highlights the impact of Social Darwinism’s Marxist/Socialist underpinnings on the culture, the faith and current policy out of Washington. Critics are calling Darwin’s Racists – “Incredibly Timely” and “A Book for our Times.” Sebastian’s political and cultural analyses are published nationally and internationally. 

“Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” may be ordered at: www.DarwinsRacists.com, www.Amazon.com,www.BarnesandNoble.com and at bookstores online and worldwide.
Sharon Sebastian on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZHzMG66Kg

by Sharon Sebastian

That Jihadists demonstrate dwindling fear of Barack Obama portends a crisis of international proportions that threatens global stability. As Obama’s domestic economic policies wreak havoc on families and our nation, his kid-gloves foreign policy has now proven to be deadly with the loss of American lives. Still, Obama rejects that the uprising in the Middle East is anti-American even as his image is burned in effigy by Islamist extremists along with the American flag.

Jihadists have bided their time and gaged the current American president. Notable is Obama’s peculiar reticence to admit to the American people who the enemy is — Islamist extremists — even when that enemy openly and repeatedly threatens destruction of the United States. Former United Nation’s Ambassador John Bolton says evidence of that is Obama treating the violent deaths of four Americans in Libya as a “criminal law” matter rather than an organized terrorist attack by mobs armed with RPGs, mortar rounds and foreign agitators as reported by Libyan authorities.

For four years, Obama has weakened America economically, militarily, and globally. Obama has made America increasingly vulnerable. So swiftly it has occurred that many assign premeditation and not naiveté. Despite Obama’s grandiose assurances that his personal charm would bring peace to the Middle East, average Americans held no disillusions as Barack Obama stirred up the Arab Spring that toppled regimes — leaving a gaping leadership void – that allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to quickly step-in and fill. No one needed an intelligence briefing to see it coming. Yet, Obama disclaims the obvious. He defended his actions, claimed the Brotherhood sought only democracy, then went golfing, campaigning and hanging with celebs while ignoring intelligence reports regarding ominous threats to American interests worldwide.

Citing additional threats to security at home, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) questions this President’s inexplicable behavior. Bachmann demands to know why the Department of Homeland Security, under Obama and Janet Napolitano, categorize “Christians, American Constitutionalists, and Patriots as potential threats” — while labeling the so-called “precursor activities” of terrorists and jihadists as “cultural behaviors.” Bachmann reports that Homeland Security may currently employ eight Muslim Brotherhood members in key, sensitive positions.  She further wants clarity regarding why Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, whose family members reportedly have a long and deep history of high-ranking leadership within the Muslim Brotherhood, now serves as Clinton’s closest advisor.

In regard to the Muslim Brotherhood, Obama cannot plead ignorance to its threat. NewsBusters’ Brad Wilmouth wrote a widely read article eighteen months ago titled, “The New Leader of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in His Own Words,” which reads in part:

“CAMERA’s Steven Stotsky picked up on a translation of Mohammed Badie’s first public address after being chosen as Muslim Brotherhood leader in January 2010:

“[The Arab and Muslim regimes] are disregarding Allah’s commandment to wage jihad for His sake with [their] money and [their] lives, so that Allah’s word will reign supreme and the infidels’ word will be inferior…  They crucially need to understand that the improvement and change that the [Muslim] nation seeks can only be attained through jihad and sacrifice and by raising a jihadi generation that pursues death just as the enemies pursue life.”

As pointed out in my previous article, “Obama & Islam,” Obama unleashed uprisings in the Middle East while implementing a radical, Socialist agenda back home. His overall intent is not as bifurcated as it may appear. The Islamists are waging a war of religion while the radical left is waging a war of ideas. The mutual goal is the toppling of a republic based, Judeo-Christian founded and Constitutionally-grounded America. Jihadists want America to become an Islamic state like Iran, whereas the left wants a “transformation of America” to a Socialist/Marxist nation. Both systems devour individual rights and freedoms. Key to both movements is total elimination of all belief systems counter to their own. Were they to succeed, as natural enemies, Islamists and Socialists will eventually target one another. Radical Islam condemns to death all that reject a belief in Allah. Socialists/Marxists constitute much of America’s Progressive-Left and have consistently legislated God out of American society, seeking to become god to the masses.

President Obama is the titular head of the Progressive-Left.  President Obama understands Islam having studied the Koran in Indonesia. Part of the curriculum was that The Twelfth Imam or 12^th Mahdi is the Islamic savior — its Islamic messiah. Islam requires that in order for the 12^th Imam to reveal himself, the world must be in global war. Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly believes that he has the divine mission to “hasten the return” of the 12^th Mahdi. Destroying Israel, then America — erupts the world into the chaos needed for the Mahdi’s return.

Christianity came into existence some 600 years before Islam. The Christian Messiah is the Savior Jesus Christ. Islam reveres Jesus as a lesser prophet and not God, which puts Islam at inextricable odds with Christianity. Iranian President Ahmadinejad believes the “Mahdi” or “Twelfth Imam” will appear publicly during a time of great disaster, with Jesus at his side, to bring peace to a war-torn world. It is said that the 12^th Madhi will take Jesus to Mecca to replace the Bible with the Koran so that Christians worldwide will convert to Islam. A “Muslim anti-Christ” is also to surface in the world and falsely convince Jews that he is their “Jesus the Messiah” that they have long awaited.

An “Islamic Jesus,” it is said, will kill all Jews and behead anyone worldwide who does not accept Islam as the only true religion. The Islamic Mahdi will set-up his kingdom in Jerusalem, establish a worldwide Caliphate, along with Shariah Law, and rule the world. Homosexuals will be killed and women will remain as property and oppressed. Such belief is a driving force of today’s war on non-Islamic nations; an ancient war based on fundamental Islam that has entrenched the globe in a war on terror. Moderate Muslims declare that only extremists hold such beliefs.

The funding by Iran of the upheaval in the Middle East, the positioning of radical Muslim groups in governments across the region from Lebanon to Egypt cannot simply be dismissed as a war of ideologies between the West and the Muslim world. By Ahmadinejad’s admission, Iran’s role in the turmoil in the Middle East is to set the stage for the return of the 12^th Imam. Obama’s years studying Islam should have taught him that he cannot schmooze leaders like Ahmadinejad, gain their favor, and unmoor them from what they believe is the only reason they exist on the planet. Islamic radicals seek world chaos targeting first Israel and then the United States.

The radical-left within Obama’s own party seeks a “transformation” into Socialism with a dependent citizenry existing in a damaged economy with limited freedoms. Though he tries to understate them, Obama clearly understands the ultimate motives of both threats to America. His inability or unwillingness to address both presents a profound danger to the American people.

Sharon Sebastian is an author, writer, and contributor to various forms of media including cultural and political broadcasts, print, and online websites. In addition to the heated global debate on creation vs. evolution, her second book, Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, highlights the impact of Social Darwinism’s Marxist/Socialist underpinnings on the culture, the faith and current policy out of Washington. Critics are calling Darwin’s Racists – “Incredibly Timely” and “A Book for our Times.” Sebastian’s political and cultural analyses are published nationally and internationally. 

“Darwin’s Racists – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” may be ordered at: www.DarwinsRacists.com, www.Amazon.com,www.BarnesandNoble.com and at bookstores online and worldwide.
Sharon Sebastian on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdZHzMG66Kg

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

Susanne Posel | Protests are erupting across the Middle East as demonstrators throw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police who retaliate with tear gas canisters being shot into the crowds. The US Embassy in Cario has become a new target.

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/

by Kristopher Kaim

Director of Middle East and Counter-Terrorism Affairs (GSFC

The United States has been reeling from a series of protests and attacks at U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East. On the 11^th anniversary of the September 11^thattacks, American ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed along with two ex-Navy SEALS, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods along with Information Officer Sean Smith. Gunmen attacked the Libyan consulate at around 10:30 pm Libyan time with small arms and explosives and was able to breach the perimeter. Most of the staff was escorted out to safety and since been flown to Germany for debriefing but the ambassador and several others remained. At the same time, the U.S. embassy in Cairo was attacked where protestors tore down the American flag and replaced it with a black flag that said “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger”. Embassies attacked from Morocco to Yemen have been reported and concerns for further attacks in additional countries have been expressed.

What media reports claim is that these attacks were in response to a film created in California about the life of Mohammad called “The Innocence of Muslims” which painted the prophet as a fraud and sexual deviant. Mass protests have been gathering in the Middle East in many Islamic countries and calls to similar protests have been made in western nations to include the United States. Similar events were witnessed in the Draw Mohammad Day in 2010 and the Danish cartoons of Mohammad in 2005.

Yet a major difference between these events is that two of them were spontaneous rallies of violence and the other was a coordinated terrorist attack that was planned.

First it is no surprise that Islamic terrorists use special dates as spring boards to conduct attacks against targets around the world. In fact the September 11^th attack’s date was specifically chosen in reference to the Battle of Vienna in 1683 where the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Holy Roman Empire and Poland thus expelling the Islamic empire from Hungary some years later and ending Ottoman expansion in the European continent. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – when he was alive – had made reference to this particular battle thus speculating that connection. Intelligence agencies around the world also recognize the importance of dates in reference to terrorism and around the anniversary carefully monitor terrorist chatter in the event of another attack.

Another thing to note are the recent killings of high profile terrorist leaders. Al Qaeda’s number two, Abu Yahya al-Libi, was killed in an American drone strike in Pakistan in June and Al Qaeda in Yemen’s number two, Saeed al-Shihri on September 10^th. These significant events have no doubt drawn the ire of Islamic terrorists and shifting political balances in the region have given such groups a renewed zeal.

The savagery of these attacks were timed all too close to each other in the aftermath of these two leaders’ deaths and the September 11^th anniversary. Such a coincidence should not be ignored as the film in question, which was speculated to start these attacks, is a red herring to the greater political and security situation of the region. Already, an al Qaeda affiliated group has claimed responsibility for the attack and evidence shows a 42 minute video released by Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri on September 10^th which confirmed al-Libi’s death and called for Muslims to exploit American weaknesses and to “liberate” every inch of Islamic land from the Americans and Jews.

Given the lax security at the consulate in Libya, the al-Zawahiri video may have been the catalyst for the attack. There were no U.S. Marines at the consulate and local police were tasked with protecting the exterior of the consulate itself. However, reports indicate that Libyan police failed to protect the consulate and instead allowed the attackers to enter. In Cairo, there have been independent reports of Marines not having ammunition in their rifles prior to the attack at the American embassy but was denied by the Department of Defense.

After the attack at the Benghazi consulate, sensitive data was taken which may have included information on Libyans working with the United States and American safe house locations throughout the country.  All safe house locations have been deemed compromised and at least one was attacked by mortar fire as American personnel were being evacuated.

Warnings of a potential attack was made as early as August when a report written by Chris Blanchard titled Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy noted the lack of security in the country and rouge elements operating without impunity. This warning was echoed by the Congressional Research Service. President Barack Obama has skipped half of his daily intelligence briefings and reports indicate he has not attended his briefings since September 5^th. The lack of decision with regards to the security situation for American diplomats in the Middle East has cost the lives of four Americans and continuing protests ensure the possibility of more fatalities should they persist.

Works Cited

Baron, Kevin. “Congress Was Warned about Libya Last Month.” Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://e-ring.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/congress_was_warned_about_libya_last_month>.

MacDonald, Alastair. “US Diplomats, Marine Rescue Team Were Also Attacked at Safe House, Libyans Say.” World News. Reuters, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/12/13833848-us-diplomats-marine-rescue-team-were-also-attacked-at-safe-house-libyans-say?lite>.

Robertson, Nic, and Elise Labott Contribute to This Report. “Pro-al Qaeda Group Seen behind Deadly Benghazi Attack – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-attack-jihadists/index.html>.

Tepper, Greg. “Hailing ‘blessed’ 9/11 Attacks, Al-Zawahiri Tells Muslims to Exploit US ‘weakness’ to Purify Their Countries.” The Times of Israel. The Times of Israel, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.timesofisrael.com/hailing-blessed-911-attacks-al-zawahiri-tells-muslims-to-exploit-american-weakness-to-purify-their-countries/>.

Thiessen, Marc A. “Obama Alone: This President Does Not Need Intel Briefers.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/marc-thiessen-obama-alone-this-president-does-not-need-intel-briefers/2012/09/13/c11e1a52-fda5-11e1-b153-218509a954e1_story.html>.

Article source: http://www.geostrategicforecasting.com/the-embassy-attacks/