Obama's Global Popularity Continues to Make Al Qaeda Nervous

[Life_Long_Dem!]

By Steve Benen, Washington Monthly
Posted on April 20, 2009, Printed on April 22, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/137496/

A couple of months ago, President Obama noted that terrorist leaders "seem nervous" with the change in U.S. administrations. It seems al Qaeda leaders are intent on proving the president right.

In the latest example, Ayman al-Zawahri has begged Muslims not to like Obama, and tried to convince his audience that Obama is practically identical to George W. Bush.

"America came to us with a new face, with which it is trying to fool us. He is calling for change, but (he aims) to change us so that we abandon our religion and rights," Ayman al-Zawahri said in an audio recording on the website.

Zawahri said Obama's election was an acknowledgement that Bush's policy had failed.

"Obama did not change the image of America among Muslims...America is still killing Muslims," said the Egyptian militant leader.

Zawahri's public-relations panic fits in nicely with the larger trend (indeed, Zawahri was similarly defensive about Obama in early February). Al Qaeda leaders were able to exploit George W. Bush's policies to recruit, expand, and raise money. The terrorist network is now in a much tougher position, not only in light of Bush's departure, but also with Barack Obama's international popularity. The very last thing al Qaeda wanted was a U.S. president who enjoys global admiration -- and that's exactly what they're responding to.

The result is a terrorist network with panicky pleas, urging followers and potential sympathetic ears to think of Bush and Obama as one in the same -- reality notwithstanding.

Rita Katz, who created the Site Intelligence Group, a private company that monitors jihadist communications, recently said the terrorist's hysterical rants against the president show "just how much al Qaeda is intimidated by Obama."

Obama's Global Popularity Continues to Make Al Qaeda Nervous | PEEK | AlterNet

 

[auditor0007]

By Steve Benen, Washington Monthly
Posted on April 20, 2009, Printed on April 22, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/137496/

A couple of months ago, President Obama noted that terrorist leaders "seem nervous" with the change in U.S. administrations. It seems al Qaeda leaders are intent on proving the president right.

In the latest example, Ayman al-Zawahri has begged Muslims not to like Obama, and tried to convince his audience that Obama is practically identical to George W. Bush.

"America came to us with a new face, with which it is trying to fool us. He is calling for change, but (he aims) to change us so that we abandon our religion and rights," Ayman al-Zawahri said in an audio recording on the website.

Zawahri said Obama's election was an acknowledgement that Bush's policy had failed.

"Obama did not change the image of America among Muslims...America is still killing Muslims," said the Egyptian militant leader.

Zawahri's public-relations panic fits in nicely with the larger trend (indeed, Zawahri was similarly defensive about Obama in early February). Al Qaeda leaders were able to exploit George W. Bush's policies to recruit, expand, and raise money. The terrorist network is now in a much tougher position, not only in light of Bush's departure, but also with Barack Obama's international popularity. The very last thing al Qaeda wanted was a U.S. president who enjoys global admiration -- and that's exactly what they're responding to.

The result is a terrorist network with panicky pleas, urging followers and potential sympathetic ears to think of Bush and Obama as one in the same -- reality notwithstanding.

Rita Katz, who created the Site Intelligence Group, a private company that monitors jihadist communications, recently said the terrorist's hysterical rants against the president show "just how much al Qaeda is intimidated by Obama."

Obama's Global Popularity Continues to Make Al Qaeda Nervous | PEEK | AlterNet

Sorry, but I don't buy into this. The radicals aren't going to change their thinking based on Obama. Remember, the planning for 9/11 all took place during Clinton's administration and before we had troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. To the radicals, we are still the Infidels, no matter if our president is Clinton, Bush, Obama, or Jesus himself.

 

[Sinatra]

By Steve Benen, Washington Monthly
Posted on April 20, 2009, Printed on April 22, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/137496/

A couple of months ago, President Obama noted that terrorist leaders "seem nervous" with the change in U.S. administrations. It seems al Qaeda leaders are intent on proving the president right.

In the latest example, Ayman al-Zawahri has begged Muslims not to like Obama, and tried to convince his audience that Obama is practically identical to George W. Bush.

"America came to us with a new face, with which it is trying to fool us. He is calling for change, but (he aims) to change us so that we abandon our religion and rights," Ayman al-Zawahri said in an audio recording on the website.

Zawahri said Obama's election was an acknowledgement that Bush's policy had failed.

"Obama did not change the image of America among Muslims...America is still killing Muslims," said the Egyptian militant leader.

Zawahri's public-relations panic fits in nicely with the larger trend (indeed, Zawahri was similarly defensive about Obama in early February). Al Qaeda leaders were able to exploit George W. Bush's policies to recruit, expand, and raise money. The terrorist network is now in a much tougher position, not only in light of Bush's departure, but also with Barack Obama's international popularity. The very last thing al Qaeda wanted was a U.S. president who enjoys global admiration -- and that's exactly what they're responding to.

The result is a terrorist network with panicky pleas, urging followers and potential sympathetic ears to think of Bush and Obama as one in the same -- reality notwithstanding.

Rita Katz, who created the Site Intelligence Group, a private company that monitors jihadist communications, recently said the terrorist's hysterical rants against the president show "just how much al Qaeda is intimidated by Obama."

Obama's Global Popularity Continues to Make Al Qaeda Nervous | PEEK | AlterNet

Sorry, but I don't buy into this. The radicals aren't going to change their thinking based on Obama. Remember, the planning for 9/11 all took place during Clinton's administration and before we had troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. To the radicals, we are still the Infidels, no matter if our president is Clinton, Bush, Obama, or Jesus himself.

Quite correct.

 

[rayboyusmc]

Quite wrong.

If they think he is getting othe nations to include some of the Muslim nations over to our side, that would worry them. They needed someone like Bush to make everyone hate US.

Obama is turning the table here.

 

[Indiana Oracle]

Am on both sides of this one. If The Prophet plays this out as He appears to be planning, these over-juiced, illiterate, maniacs might actually start to become susceptible to counter propaganda. It was one of my greatest criticisms of Bush 43's crowd. The Prophet is in a unique position for this. We shall see.

 

[Chris]

Quite wrong.

If they think he is getting othe nations to include some of the Muslim nations over to our side, that would worry them. They needed someone like Bush to make everyone hate US.

Obama is turning the table here.

Bush the buffoon(Bring it on!) and Cheney the Evil One were perfect for AQ.

The photos from Abu Ghaib were the best recruiting tool AQ ever had.

We are going to win this political war, now that the adults are back in charge.

Imagine Americans torturing prisoners! It's unbelievable!

 

[Iriemon]

By Steve Benen, Washington Monthly
Posted on April 20, 2009, Printed on April 22, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/137496/

A couple of months ago, President Obama noted that terrorist leaders "seem nervous" with the change in U.S. administrations. It seems al Qaeda leaders are intent on proving the president right.

In the latest example, Ayman al-Zawahri has begged Muslims not to like Obama, and tried to convince his audience that Obama is practically identical to George W. Bush.

"America came to us with a new face, with which it is trying to fool us. He is calling for change, but (he aims) to change us so that we abandon our religion and rights," Ayman al-Zawahri said in an audio recording on the website.

Zawahri said Obama's election was an acknowledgement that Bush's policy had failed.

"Obama did not change the image of America among Muslims...America is still killing Muslims," said the Egyptian militant leader.

Zawahri's public-relations panic fits in nicely with the larger trend (indeed, Zawahri was similarly defensive about Obama in early February). Al Qaeda leaders were able to exploit George W. Bush's policies to recruit, expand, and raise money. The terrorist network is now in a much tougher position, not only in light of Bush's departure, but also with Barack Obama's international popularity. The very last thing al Qaeda wanted was a U.S. president who enjoys global admiration -- and that's exactly what they're responding to.

The result is a terrorist network with panicky pleas, urging followers and potential sympathetic ears to think of Bush and Obama as one in the same -- reality notwithstanding.

Rita Katz, who created the Site Intelligence Group, a private company that monitors jihadist communications, recently said the terrorist's hysterical rants against the president show "just how much al Qaeda is intimidated by Obama."

Obama's Global Popularity Continues to Make Al Qaeda Nervous | PEEK | AlterNet

Sorry, but I don't buy into this. The radicals aren't going to change their thinking based on Obama. Remember, the planning for 9/11 all took place during Clinton's administration and before we had troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. To the radicals, we are still the Infidels, no matter if our president is Clinton, Bush, Obama, or Jesus himself.

Some radicals won't. But the target are the ones that are not radicals but could be recruits. They are the ones who can be swayed if America is not acting like the arrogant "great satan" but standing by the principles that made America what Reagan called the shining city on the hill.

That is one positive thing about Obama's election. We can talk all we want about how we as a nation are not racist. But the election of Obama proved it to the world. I think it moved us a little closer to being the shining city on the hill in the eyes of the world. As did things like closing Guantanamo, ending the policy of torture, and taking a less arrogant approach to other nations.

It's ultimately a battle of ideas and ideals. American principles of democracy, human rights, equality, due process, rule of law vs. Islamic extremism. Islamic extremism has a power tool in that it can manipulate religious beliefs. But I think most admire the principles I set out. America gains when it acts in accordance with those principles; the extremists lose power. When we act inconsistently with those principles, our opponents can use that to show we are hypocritical and the principles are meaningless, and they gain.

Even though sometimes the safer or tougher way looks otherwise, ultimately we win when we stand by what America stands for.

 

[krotchdog]

The site and story are an obvious joke, one its impossible to measure the popularity based on news and some photos. I do know that the people in Europe, the people I work with express indifference to doubt. They see Obama as nothing more than what he is, a Lawyer politician.

It does not matter what the papers say, people are the same all over the world, we want nothing more than government to leave us alone and let us live.

Maybe his popularity is popular in Kenya, at least that how the news portrays him.

These type of stories are telling us what to think about Obama, they are designed to influence us. The motives of those who print these reports I will not pretend to know but there are going to be at least two types of people reporting, those emotionally attached meaning they believe Obama is the represenative of thier hopes, and than thier are those who are of the same idealogy, a third group will be just people trying to make money being contraversial.

Either way, the story is propaganda, maybe it will divert our attention from Obama being a corporate puppet. Maybe they will distract from the Marxism Obama hides just below the surface.

Maybe we are not suppose to concentrate on Obama shaking hands with a communist dictator, accepting a book that demonizes the USA, maybe the story is meant for us to forget that Obama told the latin america country we are guilty of destroying thier nations and it was not obama's fault because he was only a child, either way the story is unimportant and its a distraction from the truth.

 

[Gunny]

Quite wrong.

If they think he is getting othe nations to include some of the Muslim nations over to our side, that would worry them. They needed someone like Bush to make everyone hate US.

Obama is turning the table here.

As usual, you are the one who is wrong and they are correct. Obama isn't turning anything.

You call Pakistan making a deal with the Taliban and telling us to piss off getting other Muslim nations over to our side?

You're a joke.

 

[manu1959]

By Steve Benen, Washington Monthly
Posted on April 20, 2009, Printed on April 22, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/137496/

A couple of months ago, President Obama noted that terrorist leaders "seem nervous" with the change in U.S. administrations. It seems al Qaeda leaders are intent on proving the president right.

In the latest example, Ayman al-Zawahri has begged Muslims not to like Obama, and tried to convince his audience that Obama is practically identical to George W. Bush.

"America came to us with a new face, with which it is trying to fool us. He is calling for change, but (he aims) to change us so that we abandon our religion and rights," Ayman al-Zawahri said in an audio recording on the website.

Zawahri said Obama's election was an acknowledgement that Bush's policy had failed.

"Obama did not change the image of America among Muslims...America is still killing Muslims," said the Egyptian militant leader.

Zawahri's public-relations panic fits in nicely with the larger trend (indeed, Zawahri was similarly defensive about Obama in early February). Al Qaeda leaders were able to exploit George W. Bush's policies to recruit, expand, and raise money. The terrorist network is now in a much tougher position, not only in light of Bush's departure, but also with Barack Obama's international popularity. The very last thing al Qaeda wanted was a U.S. president who enjoys global admiration -- and that's exactly what they're responding to.

The result is a terrorist network with panicky pleas, urging followers and potential sympathetic ears to think of Bush and Obama as one in the same -- reality notwithstanding.

Rita Katz, who created the Site Intelligence Group, a private company that monitors jihadist communications, recently said the terrorist's hysterical rants against the president show "just how much al Qaeda is intimidated by Obama."

Obama's Global Popularity Continues to Make Al Qaeda Nervous | PEEK | AlterNet

Sorry, but I don't buy into this. The radicals aren't going to change their thinking based on Obama. Remember, the planning for 9/11 all took place during Clinton's administration and before we had troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. To the radicals, we are still the Infidels, no matter if our president is Clinton, Bush, Obama, or Jesus himself.

not to mention they attacked two us embassies, killed us soliders in somalia, tried to blow up the wtc and attacked the uss cole.....

 

[Skull Pilot]

This is fucking rich.

the lefty loonies who say the Wall Street journal is not a credible source are giving credence to a blog

 

[krotchdog]

Moslems only repect strength, its thier culture, all the great books talk of this from Deserta Arabia to the Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Obama appears weak, Moslems never apology so Obama's "World Apology Tour" is doing nothing to stregthen his standing amongst his peers in the Moslem world.

 

[Annie]

Quite wrong.

If they think he is getting othe nations to include some of the Muslim nations over to our side, that would worry them. They needed someone like Bush to make everyone hate US.

Obama is turning the table here.

As usual, you are the one who is wrong and they are correct. Obama isn't turning anything.

You call Pakistan making a deal with the Taliban and telling us to piss off getting other Muslim nations over to our side?

You're a joke.

and today Hillary admitted the Taliban are in control of an area 70 miles from Islamabad. Pakistan has nukes, and is turning into a radical Islamic controlled country.

 

[Agnapostate]

The recruitment abilities of Al Qaeda and similar jihadist organizations will entirely depend on whether Obama insists on perpetuating neoconservative policies in regards to Middle Eastern affairs. If, for instance, he does nothing about unconditional and unregulated U.S. aid to Israel even as the government of that state takes provocative actions, disdain for him amongst the Muslim population will undoubtedly grow, thus increasing the strategic liability of the alliance. If he instead demands that they abandon illegal settlement building and the like, things may change.

 

[Yurt]

Quite wrong.

If they think he is getting othe nations to include some of the Muslim nations over to our side, that would worry them. They needed someone like Bush to make everyone hate US.

Obama is turning the table here.

Bush the buffoon(Bring it on!) and Cheney the Evil One were perfect for AQ.

The photos from Abu Ghaib were the best recruiting tool AQ ever had.

We are going to win this political war, now that the adults are back in charge.

Imagine Americans torturing prisoners! It's unbelievable!

and 9/11 and the 93 WTC tower bombing all were because of bush/cheney

it would be funny if not so pathetic

 

[Chris]

Quite wrong.

If they think he is getting othe nations to include some of the Muslim nations over to our side, that would worry them. They needed someone like Bush to make everyone hate US.

Obama is turning the table here.

Bush the buffoon(Bring it on!) and Cheney the Evil One were perfect for AQ.

The photos from Abu Ghaib were the best recruiting tool AQ ever had.

We are going to win this political war, now that the adults are back in charge.

Imagine Americans torturing prisoners! It's unbelievable!

and 9/11 and the 93 WTC tower bombing all were because of bush/cheney

it would be funny if not so pathetic

You are right.

It is pathetic that people believe it right to torture prisoners.

We have met the enemy, and they are us.

 

[elvis]

Bush the buffoon(Bring it on!) and Cheney the Evil One were perfect for AQ.

The photos from Abu Ghaib were the best recruiting tool AQ ever had.

We are going to win this political war, now that the adults are back in charge.

Imagine Americans torturing prisoners! It's unbelievable!

and 9/11 and the 93 WTC tower bombing all were because of bush/cheney

it would be funny if not so pathetic

You are right.

It is pathetic that people believe it right to torture prisoners.

We have met the enemy, and they are us.

Che is back in full force with his anti-american rhetoric.

 

[Yurt]

Bush the buffoon(Bring it on!) and Cheney the Evil One were perfect for AQ.

The photos from Abu Ghaib were the best recruiting tool AQ ever had.

We are going to win this political war, now that the adults are back in charge.

Imagine Americans torturing prisoners! It's unbelievable!

and 9/11 and the 93 WTC tower bombing all were because of bush/cheney

it would be funny if not so pathetic

You are right.

It is pathetic that people believe it right to torture prisoners.

We have met the enemy, and they are us.

unbelievable, bush/cheney caused the 93 WTC attack....

you've lost your marbles

 

[Chris]

and 9/11 and the 93 WTC tower bombing all were because of bush/cheney

it would be funny if not so pathetic

You are right.

It is pathetic that people believe it right to torture prisoners.

We have met the enemy, and they are us.

unbelievable, bush/cheney caused the 93 WTC attack....

you've lost your marbles

I never said anything of the sort.

Why do you lie?

 

[elvis]

You are right.

It is pathetic that people believe it right to torture prisoners.

We have met the enemy, and they are us.

unbelievable, bush/cheney caused the 93 WTC attack....

you've lost your marbles

I never said anything of the sort.

Why do you lie?

He didn't lie. You said he was right about them being responsible, you stupid fuck.