One of the main problems confronting the U.S. and other Western powers in connection with the newly appointed Caliph, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, is that by assuming this title and showcasing that he has some charisma, the savvy leader of the Islamic State bestowed upon himself a certain holiness that would resonate with Jihadis across the globe.
As usual, Al-Bahgdadi proves that, like all other cult leaders, he is dangerously delusional but far from being an imbecile. Now that he has been “appointed” as the Caliph, he has become a public figure par excellence, and we should expect regular such addresses from him at least to commemorate important religious occasions and address critical developments. In time, that will add to his appeal in the world Jihadi circles, and his impact could rival that of Bin Ladin, if not surpass it. Al-Zawahiri and other current Jihadi leaders on the scene do not have his charisma, his stature, or the kind of resources that he has under his disposal.
Obama Admin Debates Whether Assad Really Must Go – The Daily Beast.
Just declare the death of decency, shame and common sense and get it over with already. I mean the very idea of even considering the possibility of striking a deal with the very regime that empowered Al-Qaeda Jihadis in Iraq and Lebanon and enabled the rise of ISIS for the very purpose of getting us to this point, even as Syria and Iraq burn, and their people are decimated and scattered to the four corners of earth; now that would the arsenic laced icing on the shitcake the Obama Administration is willing to gift to the American people, and the people of the world.
Arab Boy’s Death Escalates Clash Over Abductions – NYTimes.com.
The senseless killing of four teenagers in the Holy Land might pave the way towards further bloodshed, as usual. But, if we had leaders with any signs of life in the White House, – a pulse, a sense of shame, a little decency and foresight, – we might be able to transform this tragedy into a new and serious push for peace. All it takes is gumption and a little less cynicism – that is, the very things that could have prevented the carnage in Syria, and could still stop it today. If only…
The Ammar Abdulhamid Archive 