Even as the Obama administration celebrates the killing of American-born al-Qaeda operative Anwar al-Awlaki and his traitorous friend Samir Khan in Yemen, its analysts are beginning to admit their war by decree in Libya empowered Islamic extremists bent on exporting jihad throughout the region. Thanks to Obama’s policies, al-Qaeda-linked radicals may be pillaging Muammar Qaddafi’s stockpile of weapons and receiving shipments of contraband from overseas.
In the closest thing to an admission Obama administration figures lied us into war, Reuters reports:
During the half-year campaign by rebels to drive Muammar Gaddafi from power, U.S. and NATO officials downplayed fears that al Qaeda or other militants would infiltrate anti-Gaddafi forces or take advantage of disorder to establish footholds in Libya.
Since then, however, the assessment of top experts inside the U.S. government has sharpened.
Former CIA asset and Obama adviser Bruce Riedel summarizes, “There is a great deal of concern that the jihadi cadre now are going to be exporting their ideas and weapons toward the east and west.”
This author reported the cause of their alarm a month ago. The National Transitional Council (NTC), the body the United States now exclusively recognizes as the official government of Libya, elected Abdel Hakim Belhaj commander of the Tripoli Military Council in late August. Belhaj is the co-founder of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), which the State Department designated a foreign terrorist organization in December 2004. The New York Times relates that LIFG members received “combat experience in Iraq or Afghanistan” — fighting the United States. Belhaj, who met Osama bin Laden twice, now commands 8,000 troops, Libya’s largest fighting force.
U.S. analysts, who covered up the links the “rebels” have to Islamic fundamentalists, now worry Belhaj and his LIFG warriors have raided Qaddafi’s arsenal, despoiling it of anti-aircraft weapons that could one day be turned against U.S. or NATO planes.
The radicals may not need Qaddafi’s weapons, as other nations in the area are reportedly replenishing their cache. Rebels in the city of Zintan intercepted a cargo shipment to Belhaj from the nation of Qatar, which Belhaj insisted contained food and milk. Those who opened it say it contained weapons. Taking note of the interference Mohamed Benrasali, a leading figure in the Libyan government, replied, “We are very sorry the Qataris have taken the decision to support Belhaj’s brigade. This will backfire on our Qatari friends.”
Despite Benrasali’s tough talk, one suspects the fire will aimed in his direction.
Qatar was influenced to support the rebels by Sheik Ali Salabi, a Libyan Islamic scholar who lives in the monarchy. The Washington Times states, “Mr. Salabi has close ties to Mr. Belhaj. The sheik’s brother, Ismail, is the commander of a powerful rebel brigade in eastern Libya.”
With Belhaj’s control of Libya’s strongest militia and the apparent backing of a foreign nation, the nation’s self-proclaimed “Islamists” are well-positioned to topple any provisional government and seize power by force. The current prime minister, Mahmoud Jibril, is under fire from all sides. Sheik Salabi has denounced the NTC’s leadership as “rabid secularists.” Even Benrasali said the rebels’ inability to form a permanent government is “testing our patience.”
Despite all the evidence, some American politicians have a different assessment. The story broke the same day a delegation of four Republican senators met with Libya’s (temporary) government to tell them they “inspired the world.” The quartet included Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Mark Kirk — all confirmed RINOs — and the much-hyped Marco Rubio, whom the Beltway GOP establishment has anointed as the next vice presidential nominee. The senators stressed, as have European diplomats, that the new government must continue its cooperation with the U.S. war on terrorism. Although McCain said, “This is Libya’s revolution, not ours,” he instructed his hosts to ensure “that past wrongs do not become a license for future crimes, especially against minorities” — which, in fact, they already have.
Even if Libya’s leadership were not ideologically committed to the destruction of the West, it seems unlikely it would heed any further American entreaties. Two of the four senators who visited this week, McCain and Graham, met with Muammar Qaddafi and his son Muatassim on August 14, 2009. Sens. Joseph Lieberman and Susan Collins joined them. All four assured Qaddafi his new relationship with the United States would be a long-lived affair and they would attempt to help him improve his military capabilities, especially getting new C130s. They requested that he continue to cooperate with the war on terrorism and allow the U.S. to build a more secure embassy.
Less than two years later, the same senators were the most outspoken in supporting Qaddafi’s ouster. McCain went on to blast his own party’s alleged “isolationism” for refusing to help Belhaj, et. al, conquer Tripoli.
No national leader would cooperate with “allies” like this. Libyans have every incentive to stand against the United States. We’ve given it to them.
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Excellent informative article, Ben, thank you. I am so disappointed by our so-called leaders in Washington, although I must admit that I’m not surprised by their naivety and short-sightedness. I am very disappointed in Marco Rubio, he should never have even appeared to align himself with the likes of RINO’s McCain and Graham. I completely agree with your assessment that no middle-east leaders will be able to trust the U.S. after Obama’s bungled job throughout the entire region. We are in for a very rude awakening and a severe test of our military might. I fear this test will not only be overseas but will find itself on our shores, whether by terrorists blowing things up, an EMP burst, or one of several scary scenarios I can only guess at. I don’t think Americans realize how truly important it is to elect an able president, one who understands the world geopolitical landscape. Obama, or Barry Soetoro, or whatever his name is (we don’t really know), is not that man. One can only ask for God’s Mercy and guidance in times like these.
Ranchman, you have nailed it!! Excellent article, excellent comment.
However, I, too, am disappointed with Mr. Rubio. This BS is what I would expect from McCain and Graham, but Rubio floored me.
Marco Rubio was asked if he was going to caucus with the tea party and he said no. the tea party is not conected to the beltway.Now this going to Libya and giving aid to our emenies.
Excellent informative article, Ben, thank you. I am so disappointed by our so-called leaders in Washington, although I must admit that I’m not surprised by their naivety and short-sightedness. I am very disappointed in Marco Rubio, he should never have even appeared to align himself with the likes of RINO’s McCain and Graham. I completely agree with your assessment that no middle-east leaders will be able to trust the U.S. after Obama’s bungled job throughout the entire region. We are in for a very rude awakening and a severe test of our military might. I fear this test will not only be overseas but will find itself on our shores, whether by terrorists blowing things up, an EMP burst, or one of several scary scenarios I can only guess at. I don’t think Americans realize how truly important it is to elect an able president, one who understands the world geopolitical landscape. Obama, or Barry Soetoro, or whatever his name is (we don’t really know), is not that man. One can only ask for God’s Mercy and guidance in times like these.
Ranchman, you have nailed it!! Excellent article, excellent comment.
However, I, too, am disappointed with Mr. Rubio. This BS is what I would expect from McCain and Graham, but Rubio floored me.
Marco Rubio was asked if he was going to caucus with the tea party and he said no. the tea party is not conected to the beltway.Now this going to Libya and giving aid to our emenies.
These US representatives ought to be ashamed. When you think about it would you trust anyone who flip-flops everytime you have dealings. Gadaffi is a criminal, but he and mubarak boith denied the muslim brotherhood existence. They knew what this group is about, but the obama regime and hillary insisted we step in like the US had that right. They both are tied into this group for reasons I hope we don’t have to witness. They must be stopped and soon.
These US representatives ought to be ashamed. When you think about it would you trust anyone who flip-flops everytime you have dealings. Gadaffi is a criminal, but he and mubarak boith denied the muslim brotherhood existence. They knew what this group is about, but the obama regime and hillary insisted we step in like the US had that right. They both are tied into this group for reasons I hope we don’t have to witness. They must be stopped and soon.
and what did you expect from this president????
and what did you expect from this president????
I wonder if there was any other senators that met with the “Kay-Daffy”reps? I’d like to know what America is gonna get out of this besides more Jihad?
I wonder if there was any other senators that met with the “Kay-Daffy”reps? I’d like to know what America is gonna get out of this besides more Jihad?
Now I see you us of Terror are spreading the same evil thing all over Libya – so you can “march in your precious troops after the fact!
harm done to its own people and troops with Depleted Uranium Munitions (DU) by the US military. This harm is done with the DOD’s FULL KNOWLEDGE.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/07/22/du-you-dont-have-to-inhale-or-ingest-it-for-it-to-make-you-sick/
Now I see you us of Terror are spreading the same evil thing all over Libya – so you can “march in your precious troops after the fact!
harm done to its own people and troops with Depleted Uranium Munitions (DU) by the US military. This harm is done with the DOD’s FULL KNOWLEDGE.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/07/22/du-you-dont-have-to-inhale-or-ingest-it-for-it-to-make-you-sick/
Now I see you us of Terror are spreading the same evil thing all over Libya – so you can “march in your precious troops” after the fact!
harm done to its own people and troops with Depleted Uranium Munitions (DU) by the US military. This harm is done with the DOD’s FULL KNOWLEDGE.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/07/22/du-you-dont-have-to-inhale-or-ingest-it-for-it-to-make-you-sick/
Now I see you us of Terror are spreading the same evil thing all over Libya – so you can “march in your precious troops” after the fact!
harm done to its own people and troops with Depleted Uranium Munitions (DU) by the US military. This harm is done with the DOD’s FULL KNOWLEDGE.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/07/22/du-you-do…
Obama campaigned on bad-mouthing Bush’s waterboarding and yet he condones killing Americans without due process. Even the Nazis got a trial after WWII.
Good article for today.
They can do murders outside this county. they can do the same thing here in this country. Fly a drone over a christan church and send a missle into the church and say there was a gas leak and the church blow up.
Obama campaigned on bad-mouthing Bush’s waterboarding and yet he condones killing Americans without due process. Even the Nazis got a trial after WWII.
Good article for today.
They can do murders outside this county. they can do the same thing here in this country. Fly a drone over a christan church and send a missle into the church and say there was a gas leak and the church blow up.
Surely that does not surprise anyone. My take is that is what they were palnning form the beginning. It is not like the administrations was not told what whould happen if the Brotherhood was able to get rid of Kadifi.
Surely that does not surprise anyone. My take is that is what they were palnning form the beginning. It is not like the administrations was not told what whould happen if the Brotherhood was able to get rid of Kadifi.
Surely that does not surprise anyone. My take is that is what they were planning from the beginning. It is not like the administrations was not told what whould happen if the Brotherhood was able to get rid of Kadifi.
Surely that does not surprise anyone. My take is that is what they were planning from the beginning. It is not like the administrations was not told what whould happen if the Brotherhood was able to get rid of Kadifi.
These connections were known when Obama made his first speech declaring war (oops, “kinetic military action”). In fact, WaPo reported at the time that he received a briefing on the nature of the “rebel” leadership that same morning. Obama’s decisions as to Libya represent either willful blindness or intention. And let us not forget, Billary was orchestrating things behind the scenes. We lent money and materiel to advance the aims of international “allies” who are no doubt celebrating the establishment of yet another jihadist government in the Middle East. There is nothing new here beyond the administration’s inability to deny any longer what has been blindingly obvious for months.
These connections were known when Obama made his first speech declaring war (oops, “kinetic military action”). In fact, WaPo reported at the time that he received a briefing on the nature of the “rebel” leadership that same morning. Obama’s decisions as to Libya represent either willful blindness or intention. And let us not forget, Billary was orchestrating things behind the scenes. We lent money and materiel to advance the aims of international “allies” who are no doubt celebrating the establishment of yet another jihadist government in the Middle East. There is nothing new here beyond the administration’s inability to deny any longer what has been blindingly obvious for months.