I should probably have managed this earlier, but it seems that al-Qaeda is starting up its own online video news service, complete with commercial breaks and the like. While this is more or less a logical extension of other enemy propaganda we've seen over the years like Azzam Publications or the various e-zines published by al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, this is the first time they've taken their propaganda news casts directly to streaming video.
While this first webcast appears to be little more than an Islamified version of a Pat Buchanan column intercut with footage of the Iraqi insurgency, I will mention, probably in vain, that if these webcasts becomes a regular feature (with English subtitles or anchors, perhaps?) it is yet again a good reason for politicians to choose their words with care on any given topic if they don't want them showing up in enemy propaganda. This goes not only in terms of foreign policy but also with respect to domestic issues as well.
Finally, it is interesting note that al-Qaeda praises the Israeli withdrawl from Gaza by showing footage of Qureia, a leading member of the PA that bin Laden had previously dismissed as an infidel organization with Abbas as a "Palestinian Karzai." This may be a coincidence, but it may also be looking into given Israeli concerns that al-Qaeda is planning to infiltrate Gaza.
Actually, the website is not "Adnkonos" as stated in the article, but "Adnkronos".
The original article can be vound here
Why is the comparsion with Pat Buchanan? Regardless of your opinion of him is he is consistent in his views.
Frankly, I wonder why we're not shutting this down. Al Qaeda has been using technology to quite good effect to further its aims. Turning off the tap -- on this and other streams of information that unite their far-flung cells -- would put the hurt on them. We have to cut their lines of communication.
That's strange.
Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou says we should negotiate with al-Quada -- its purported desire to establish an Islamic caliphate is a misconception.
And than al-Quada starts an Internet video newscast called the Voice of the Caliphate.
I say its back to the drawing board.
That is certainly of interest. I'm surprised they're not showing Mahmoud Zahar leading Hamas rallies.
Maybe the PA struck a deal?
Robert M:
The Buchanan comparison wasn't intended as just a cheap shot. It's the closet sort of comparison you'll find between the type of foreign policy they're advocating for us combined with the basic view, reflected in any number of Buchanan columns, that the West really isn't worth saving anymore. I'm sure I can think of other examples, but Buchanan's seem to be the comparison that best summarize the views.
Colt:
Near as I can tell, al-Qaeda has always looked down on Hamas the same mob looks down on a local protection racket. So I'm not really surprised they didn't show them, but the fact that they showed somebody as high up in the PA Qureia instead may well be worthy of note.
No doubt, but my point was that not only did they choose not to show the group that is the closest to them in terms of ideology, they chose the PA.
And Queria rather than Abbas. Fatah has little in the way of ideology, but in terms of what there is of it, there isn't all that much between Abbas and Queria. I guess Abbas's gestures to Israel are too much.
...which is, in theory, the faction the furthest away from A-Q.
Is there any evidence at all that this is actually, specifically al Qaeda, and not some other pro-jihad group with access to balaclavas and a webcam?
That's kinda the same argument that you run into with a lot of jihadi websites, Mitch. You could probably make the same argument with the old Azzam Publications website or the current Zarqawi websites.
we all have the right to freedom. one for all.