Ayman Al-Zawahiri’s Message – 11.19.2008

I have this transcript thanks to MEMRIand I thought I would pass this on. Everyone needs to be reminded of the Islamist threat the West faces, as anxious as our political leaders and Media personalities are to have us forget.

Original Link

Al-Qaeda Deputy Leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri in Message on Islamist Websites

In an audio message posted on Islamist websites on November 19, 2008, Al-Qaeda deputy leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri criticized U.S.president-elect Barack Obama.

The 11 minute 23 second message, in which the audio plays against a background of still images, is the first statement by an Al-Qaeda official relating to Obama’s presidential win.

The following is the transcript, from the message’s English subtitles.

“First, a Message of Congratulations to the Muslim Ummah on the American People’s Admission Of Defeat In Iraq“

“In the Name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and prayers and peace on the Messenger of Allah and on his family, Companions and allies:

“Muslim brothers everywhere: Peace be upon you and the Mercy of Allah and His blessings. As for what comes after:

“Barack Obama has won the presidency of the United States of America, and on this occasion, I would like to send several messages.

“First, a message of congratulations to the Muslim Ummah on the American people’s admission of defeat in Iraq. Although the evidence of America’s defeat in Iraq appeared years ago, Bush and his administration continued to be stubborn and deny the brilliant midday sun. If Bush has achieved anything, it is in his transfer of America’s disaster and predicament to his successor. But the American people, by electing Obama, declared its anxiety and apprehension about the future towards which the policy of the likes of Bush is leading it, and so it decided to support someone calling for withdrawal from Iraq.”

 

“What You’ve Announced About How You’re Going to Reach an Understanding With Iran and Pull Your Troops Out of Iraq to Send Them to Afghanistan is a Policy… Destined for Failure”

“The second of these messages is to the new president of the United States. I tell him: you have reached the position of president, and a heavy legacy of failure and crimes awaits you. A failure in Iraq to which you have admitted, and a failure in Afghanistan to which the commanders of your army have admitted.

“The other thing to which I want to bring your attention is that what you’ve announced about how you’re going to reach an understanding with Iran and pull your troops out of Iraq to send them to Afghanistan is a policy which was destined for failure before it was born. It appears that you don’t know anything about the Muslim Ummah and its history, and the fate of the traitors who cooperated with the invaders against it, and don’t know anything about the history of Afghanistan and its free and defiant Muslim people. And if you still want to be stubborn about America’s failure in Afghanistan, then remember the fate of Bush and Pervez Musharraf, and the fate of the Soviets and British before them. And be aware that the dogs of Afghanistan have found the flesh of your soldiers to be delicious, so send thousands after thousands to them.

“As for the crimes of America which await you, it appears that you continue to be captive to the same criminal American mentality towards the world and towards the Muslims. The Muslim Ummah received with extreme bitterness your hypocritical statements to and stances towards Israel, which confirmed to the Ummah that you have chosen a stance of hostility to Islam and Muslims.”

 

“You Were Born to a Muslim Father, but You Chose to Stand in the Ranks of the Enemies of the Muslims… in Order to Climb the Rungs of Leadership in America“

“You represent the direct opposite of honorable black Americans like Malik al-Shabazz, or Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy on him). You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand in the ranks of the enemies of the Muslims, and pray the prayer of the Jews, although you claim to be Christian, in order to climb the rungs of leadership in America. And so you promised to back Israel, and you threatened to strike the tribal regions in Pakistan, and to send thousands more troops to Afghanistan, in order for the crimes of the American Crusade in it to continue. And last Monday, your aircraft killed 40 Afghan Muslims at a wedding party in Kandahar.

“As for Malik al-Shabazz (may Allah have mercy on him), he was born to a black pastor killed by white bigots, but Allah favored him with guidance to Islam, and so he prided himself on his fraternity with the Muslims, and he condemned the crimes of the Crusader West against the weak and oppressed, and he declared his support for peoples resisting American occupation, and he spoke about the worldwide revolution against the Western power structure.

“That’s why it wasn’t strange that Malik al-Shabazz (may Allah have mercy on him) was killed, while you have climbed the rungs of the presidency to take over the leadership of the greatest criminal force in the history of mankind and the leadership of the most violent Crusade ever against the Muslims.

“And in you and in Colin Powell, Rice and your likes, the words of Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy on him) concerning ‘House Negroes’ are confirmed.”

 

“You Are Neither Facing Individuals nor Organizations, But… a Jihadi Awakening and Renaissance… This is the Fact Which You and Your Government And Country Refuse to Recognize”

“You also must appreciate, as you take over the presidency of America during its Crusade against Islam and Muslims, that you are neither facing individuals nor organizations, but are facing a Jihadi awakening and renaissance which is shaking the pillars of the entire Islamic world; and this is the fact which you and your government and country refuse to recognize and pretend not to see.”

 

“To The Muslim Ummah…: America, the Criminal, Trespassing Crusader, Continues To Be the Same as Ever, So We Must Continue to Harm It”

“As for the third message, it is to the Muslim Ummah. I tell it: America, the criminal, trespassing Crusader, continues to be the same as ever, so we must continue to harm it, in order for it to come to its senses, because its criminal, expansionist Crusader project in your lands has only been neutralized by the sacrifices of your sons, the Mujahideen. This, then, is the path, so stick to it.”

 

“To the Lions of Islam, The Mujahideen…: Your Enemy’s Stagger Has Begun, So Don’t Stop Hitting Him”

“As for the fourth message, it is to the lions of Islam, the Mujahideen. I tell them: may Allah reward you in the best way for your historic heroics, which have ruined America’s plans and rendered its projects ineffective. So be firm and resolute. Your enemy’s stagger has begun, so don’t stop hitting him.

“And I say to my brothers the Mujahideen in Iraq in general and the Islamic State of Iraq in particular, and to its Amir, the towering mountain Abu ‘Umar al-Baghdadi: your enemy has admitted defeat, and the forthcoming stage is expected to be dominated by conspiracies and betrayals in order to cover the American withdrawal, so you must persevere, for victory is in an hour of perseverance.

“And I tell my brothers, the lions of Islam in Somalia: rejoice in victory and conquest. America is gathering its wounds in Iraq, and Ethiopia is looking for a way out, and for this reason, the stage of conspiracies and machinations has begun. So hold tightly to the truth for which you have given your lives, and don’t put down your weapons before the Mujahid state of Islam and Tawheed has been set up in Somalia.

“And I tell all Mujahideen everywhere: the Hubal of the age has begun to falter and recede, and Allah has granted you success and honored you by making you the most important cause of that, so be resolute on the path of Jihad until you meet your Lord while He is pleased with you.”

 

“America Has Put On a New Face, But Its Heart Full Of Hate, Mind Drowning In Greed, And Spirit Which Spreads Evil, Murder, Repression And Despotism Continue To Be the Same As Always”

“And my fifth message is to all the world’s weak and oppressed. I tell them: America has put on a new face, but its heart full of hate, mind drowning in greed, and spirit which spreads evil, murder, repression and despotism continue to be the same as always. And the Mujahideen of Islam, by the grace of Allah, continue to be the spearhead of the resistance against it to restrain it from injustice, aggression and arrogance.

“As for my final message, it is to the American people. I tell it: you incurred defeat and losses from the foolish actions of Bush and his gang, and at the same time, Shaykh Usama bin Ladin (may Allah preserve him) sent you a message to withdraw from the lands of the Muslims and refrain from stealing their treasures and interfering in their affairs. So choose for yourself whatever you like, and bear the consequences of your choice, and as you judge, you will be judged.

“And our final prayer is that all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and may Allah send prayers and peace on our Master Muhammad and his family and Companions.”

———————————————————–

Well look at that, Ayman-Al Zawahiri insulted Obama’s race. Do know what I find interesting and disturbing? This Washington Post article focuses on the “house negro” comment, but it seems (to me anyway) to gloss over Zawahiri’s earlier comment:

“You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand in the ranks of the enemies of the Muslims, and pray the prayer of the Jews, although you claim to be Christian, in order to climb the rungs of leadership in America.”

Why did this comment, where Zawahiri explicitly states that the enemies of Islam are Christian and Jews get no detailed coverage in the article? The full passage is quoted to be sure, but the main emphasis is on the slur against Obama, and its racial context. No special emphasis is given to hatred of Jews and Christians, which makes me believe that if Zawahiri had not made an ethnic slur against Obama, then this article would have been much shorter, and buried in the Post, if it had appeared at all. In this day and age when there is so much confusion (among some) about why Islamic Jihad is being waged, I would think such an explicit comment from the Number 2 man of Al-Qaeda would be explored in more depth, so that the enemy and his motivations may be understood. However, if this was done by the political and media elite, than it would utterly destroy their belief that the United States is to blame for Islamic Jihad, and that Qur’anic Scripture and the basic tenets of Islam have nothing to do with Jihad.

And we can’t have such inconvenient truths come to light, now can we?

Mike Grant — Samnite Gladiator

The Obama Administration – 11.19.2008

Much media hay is being made of the possibility that President-Elect Barack Obama will stock his administration with old enemies, even up to appointing Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. This possible move is heralded as a real change from Washington politics as usual, and it is even drawing comparisonsto the way Abraham Lincoln filled his administration positions. However, I wouldn’t be so sure that is the real root cause of Obama’s possible appointment of Hillary Clinton to the position of Secretary of State. To paraphrase Michael Corleone in The Godfather II:“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” By appointing rivals to positions of power in his administration, Obama accomplishes several things that work to Obama’s benefit. First and foremost, Obama’s rivals are now in his debt, which renders them easier to control. For example, given that the media is trying to paint this as a magnanimous gesture by Obama, it would seem rather churlish and disloyal of the appointees to deviate too far outside the administration line on any number of controversial issues.

Also, it gives the appointees a personal stake in seeing an Obama Administration succeed. Personally, if my name and face are on a product, project, or piece of legislation then I don’t want it to fail, as the citizens and media would always remember that failure, and hold it against my record. Any rivals that Obama would appoint would also not be able to work in the Senate or House of Representatives to author / co-author big time legislation which would undermine Obama’s own agenda. A prime example of that is Hillary Clinton, who would have to give up her New York Senate seat if given the job of Secretary of State. Given the way politics works in Washington, Hillary would be virtually choice less in backing an Obama Health Care plan, instead of forcing a possible showdown in Congress. Ultimately, I cannot read President-Elect Barack Obama’s mind, so this is pure speculation on my part. However, I do believe it to be informed and logical speculation, given the way politicians of all stripes operate in taking and preserving their personal power. It will be very interesting to see what other rivals Obama may bring into his fold, and as a result we may be able to see if he is removing and/or minimizing potential obstacles for his agenda.

Mike Grant — Samnite Gladiator

Syrian and Egyptian Interests – 11.7.2008

In this article from World Tribune, we learn a little bit about Barack Obama’s future plan (which we’re now seemingly stuck with) for diplomacy that involves the regimes of Damascus and Cairo. An excerpt below:

The aide said Obama plans to launch a U.S. diplomatic initiative toward Syria, regarded by the Bush administration as a leading supporter of the Al Qaida insurgency in Iraq. Obama, unlike President George Bush, has also supported Israeli peace negotiations with the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

“The tenor of the messages was that the Obama administration would take into greater account Egyptian and Syrian interests,” the aide said.

Now, diplomacy in and of itself is not a bad tool, and every President should see fit to utilize it. A politician skilled in the art of talking can accomplish great things, whether from a trade agreement to averting armed conflict. However, before getting carried away with the ideal of “diplomacy”, let us examine for a minute what basic conditions must be met for diplomacy to succeed. First and foremost, both sides must willing to come to the table, and converse honestly about the needs and wants of each side. Secondly, both sides must be willing to yield in some of their interests, for the goal of reaching a consensus and ratifying the their new pact. Thirdly, both sides must honestly recognize what the other side represents. In our historical  ”relationships” with the regimes of Cairo and Damascus, I rarely, if ever, see any of the above conditions being met. Rather, I see the United States giving advanced military hardware, and billions of dollars every year to Egypt, while getting fairly little in return. The way I understand things, and you may have to forgive my naivete, when an individual or nation engages in an exchange of any sort with another individual or country, one often expects goods or services in return of equal value.

Now, every year the United States sends $1.3 billion worth of military aid to Egypt, which already has $2.5 billion of its own money devoted to its military. Additionally, the United States has been a historical supplier of economic assistance to Egypt as well, though fortunately, there are signs pointing to the end of this. In 2009, about $200 million is earmarked for Egypt, and there is no guarantee there will be another payout. In my opinion, there probably will. So the question is, do we get enough return? Now:

“Mubarak gives the US military free passage through Egypt’s air space and ensures priority passage for American navy vessels through the Suez Canal. According to US figures, Egypt granted airspace access to 36,553 US military aircraft between 2001 and 2005.”

Without a doubt, such service is clearly valuable, and worthy of Egypt getting something in return. But, we have to balance the “now”, with the longer term plan. When push comes to shove, is Egypt rally on our side? And if the answer is no, then why are we arming them with advanced military hardware every year? Why are we bolstering Egypt to stand against and pose a conventional threat to Israel, our one true ally in the region? In short, is what we receive from Egypt worth $1.3 billion ever year, along with any other economic assistance we send them, worth it?

Now, the “realists” among us may cite Egyptian backing of United States attempts to deter Iran from developing nuclear technology. They may also cite Eyptian support of the Middle Eastern “Peace” Process. But lets get real here – Iran continues to develop nuclear technology, and has no problem ignoring Egyptian and United Nations wishes. Also, Egypt would most likely be against Iranian getting nuclear weapons anyway, due to the constant fear of Shia infilitrations in Sunni countries. Also, has the violence against Israel abated any because of Egyptian desires? In some cases, it seems Egypt turns a tremendous blind eyeto Hamas efforts to arm themselves. So, essentially we’re paying Egypt for no return in these two cases, which are supposed to be cornerstones of our relationship with Cairo. Does that really seem wise to anyone? Indeed, I regard the Egyptian “incompetence” regarding Hamas arms tunnel to be tacit (or rather overt) support for their agenda, which is the destruction of Israel. I find it interesting that academia, the Media, and the International Community are so willing to condemn proxy wars of the United States, but when it comes to the enemies of Israel, anything goes. So taking this into account, why should an Obama administration take Egyptian interests into greater account? I say the United States should start getting real return, or pull the plug on that $1.3 billion dollars. But, I fear I am in the minority.

Turning our eyes to Syria, we must ask again why we should bow to their interests? They were using North Korean technology to assemble a covert nuclear reactor. Their support of Hizballah and other Jihadist groups is well documented, their enmity to Israel beyond all doubt. It seems that Syrian interests, to put it crudely, consist of screwing us over, not helping us out. And Obama wants to “emphasize” those interests of Syria? Perhaps President-elect Barack Obama, soon to become the most powerful man of the world, needs to do some more homework, before he can muster a passing grade on foreign policy.

The ironic thing is I am not a genius. I don’t work for the CIA, NSA, or Department of Defense. All the information I see is available to the general public, no security clearance required. If I can see the writing on the wall, why can’t our elected leaders? And how long will they accept, proscribe, and enact the failed policies of the past, before true “reality” sets in? My guess, is never. Which is hardly a comforting thought for those of us forced to live with the failed policies of others.

Mike Grant — Samnite Gladiator