The Bin Laden Porn Stash

Many of us in the terrorism-watching biz were waiting to hear about this, and today the news officially broke. Nestled among the mountains of intelligence recovered from Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad compund was a stash of pornography.

The reason we were waiting for this news is that anyone who has taken a peek at a terrorist hard drive has found porn lurking amidst the bits. It's common enough to be a punch line. From Afghanistan to Iraq to Saudi Arabia and beyond, terrorists love porn.

I found the images below in Al Qaeda computer data recovered in Bosnia. I've cleaned them up since this isn't that kind of Web site, but this should give you an idea about what Islamic extremists like -- big fake boobs, Asian women and MMF action.

Click to view images (probably not safe for work)

Oh, but it gets worse. In Iraq, they loved porn so much they made it themselves. Computers captured by the U.S. military from Islamist insurgents revealed unedited footage of homemade child pornography, according to sources who have viewed the footage. Insurgents could be heard on the clips coaching young boys on how to perform sexual acts.

People in the PSYOPS counterterrorism world have long tried to figure out how to exploit these images. After all, they show a level of hypocrisy that is more than epic. The problem, of course, particularly in the Iraq situation, is that analysts can barely stand to look at the material, let alone figure out a way to reference it productively.

The bin Laden porn stash, at last, offers an opportunity to bring this issue into the light. There's a lot more to be said about jihadists and their sexual "issues," and I'm working on a longer piece about this subject, but for now, a little schadenfreude is the order of the day, and the deeper levels will provide much fodder for thought and discussion in the weeks to come.

J.M. Berger is author of the new book, "Jihad Joe: Americans Who Go to War in the Name of Islam," available from Amazon.com. For videos and documents related to the book, check out JihadJoeBook.com. Follow @intelwire on Twitter for updates about American jihadists.

Labels: Al-Qaeda, Iraq, Osama-Bin-Laden, Pornography

Views expressed on INTELWIRE are those of the author alone.

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State Department Analysis: Exporting Terrorist Tactics From Iraq

EXCLUSIVE TO INTELWIRE: This newly declassified 2005 State Department analysis highlights one of the most signficant concerns about blowback from the invasion of Iraq -- its use as a proving ground for terrorist tactics and terrorist operatives.

The analysis warns that "the terrorist tactics that have been tested and
refined in [Iraq] may soon become globalized."

Although much of the report has been redacted prior to release by the State Department (an appeal is underway), several specific threat areas are identified:

Improvements to the design of vehicular improvised explosive devices (car bombs)

Proliferation of other types of IEDs -- the report states "Anything can be a bomb."

Improvements and establishment of networks for forged identities and diguise

Advances in the use of technology by terrorists

3/17/2005: State Department Cable, Exporting Terrorist Tactics From Iraq

Labels: INTELFILES, Iraq

Views expressed on INTELWIRE are those of the author alone.

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

State Department Analysis: Exporting Terrorist Tactics From Iraq

EXCLUSIVE TO INTELWIRE: This newly declassified 2005 State Department analysis highlights one of the most signficant concerns about blowback from the invasion of Iraq -- its use as a proving ground for terrorist tactics and terrorist operatives.

The analysis warns that "the terrorist tactics that have been tested and
refined in [Iraq] may soon become globalized."

Although much of the report has been redacted prior to release by the State Department (an appeal is underway), several specific threat areas are identified:

Improvements to the design of vehicular improvised explosive devices (car bombs)

Proliferation of other types of IEDs -- the report states "Anything can be a bomb."

Improvements and establishment of networks for forged identities and diguise

Advances in the use of technology by terrorists

3/17/2005: State Department Cable, Exporting Terrorist Tactics From Iraq

Labels: INTELFILES, Iraq

Views expressed on INTELWIRE are those of the author alone.

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

American Civilians Killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, January 2001 to December 2007

INTELWIRE filed a FOIA request for any records concerning non-military American citizens killed in Iraq and Afghanistan from January 1, 2001 to December 2007. The State Department said it found nine documents, consisting of 17 pages, which are linked below. The State Department said it was not withholding any documents, although some of the released documents were redacted.

Despite the State Department's claim that these are the only documents it could locate, none of the documents refer to American citizen Nicholas Berg, the most famous American civilian casualty in Iraq, who was killed by Al Qaeda in Iraq head Abu Musab Al Zarqawi.

Due to this glaring inconsistency, INTELWIRE believes this request has not received an adequate search nor a satisfactory response. An appeal is in process. In the meantime, the released documents may be viewed below.

American civilians killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, 1/2001 to 12/2007

One point of special interest in the released documents concerned Hector Patino, of San Antonio, Texas, who was killed in an apparent friendly fire incident in January 2007. Family members have raised questions about the official account of Patino's killing.

Reports stated Patino was driving a truck when Australian coalition military guards ordered him to stop in the vicinity of a checkpoint. He did not stop, for reasons unknown, and the soldiers shot and killed him.

The document released to INTELWIRE has one key difference from the official report. According to a State Department cable dated Jan. 17, 2007, "Australian and U.S. military guards ... shot and killed Patino."

As an early report, the cable may simply have erred in stating that U.S. soldiers were involved in the incident. INTELWIRE makes no special claims about the veracity of either account, but offers the document for those who may wish to investigate further.

1/17/2007: State Department cable, death of Hector Patino

Labels: Afghanistan, American-Jihadists, Iraq

Views expressed on INTELWIRE are those of the author alone.

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink

 

Behind the Handshake: The Rumsfeld-Saddam Meeting

By J.M. Berger
INTELWIRE.com
Around the time of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a photo of Donald Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam Hussein began circulating on the Web.

Declassified documents recently obtained by INTELWIRE under the Freedom of Information Act reveal details of the discussion behind the handshake, and how the meeting came to be.

Rumsfeld was appointed special envoy to the Middle East by President Ronald Reagan in November 1983. Rumsfeld was dispatched on a tour of the region shortly thereafter.

In December 1983, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq William L. Eagleton Jr. proposed a meeting between Rumsfeld and Iraqi officials as part of that trip. The Iraqis responded that the proposed timing of the visit "would not be convenient." A schedule change was offered on the condition that Iraq's president would receive Rumsfeld during the trip.

"The Iraqis will be aware that by meeting their scheduling needs he will expect to see Saddam Hussein," the Dec. 7 cable states. "The atmosphere for such a visit should be positive."

State Department Cable, Dec. 7, 1983

A message from President Reagan was drafted for the trip.

"I have become convinced of the important role Iraq can play in helping bring greater peace to the Middle East," Reagan wrote in the Dec. 8 draft.

"The United States strongly desires an end to the Iran-Iraq war. I have no illusions that the many differences between Iraq and the United States can be easily or quickly resolved," the message stated. "However, I am gratified that the dialogue between us, laboriously and patiently nurtured, has improved our understanding of each other.

"The United States stands ready to exchange ambassadors to make formal recognition of this fact whenever you decide that such a step will support the interests of your country. Until then, I want you to know that I attach great importance to continuing and improving our dialogue," the message said.

Coming in the middle of the Iran-Iraq war, the initiative was considered highly sensitive.

"Do not, repeat not, discuss letter outside embassy or with non-American personnel," the cable states.

State Department Cable, Dec. 8, 1983

The presidential message also proposed formalizing relations between the U.S. and Iraq.

I have no illusions that the many differences between Iraq and the United States can be easily or quickly resolved. However, I am gratified that the dialogue between us, laboriously and patiently nurtured, has improved our understanding of each other," the message stated. "The United States stands ready to exchange ambassadors to make formal recognition of this fact whenever you decide that such a step will support the interests of your country."

The Iraqis arranged accommodations for the trip.

State Department Cable, Dec. 10, 1983

In contrast to the friendly tone of the presidential message, a secret cable to Rumsfeld from Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger spelled out U.S. concerns about the ongoing Iran-Iraq war.

"Successful Iraqi disruption of Iranian oil exports could prompt Iran to take reprisals against third countries or shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," the cable stated, strongly urging Iraq to exercise restraint but pointedly and repeatedly refusing to suggest any negative consequence if Saddam failed to do so.

Rumsfeld's visit was presented as an unambiguous sign of support for the Iraqi dictator.

"We are willing to take more symbolic steps in bilateral areas, if Iraq believes these can give any morale boost to war effort or impetus to its diplomatic efforts. Ambassador Rumsfeld's visit could be seen in this (context) and of course, we remain ready to exchange ambassadors with Iraq without preconditions," Eagleburger wrote.

However, such offers were left to Rumsfeld's discretion.

"You should mention symbolic bilateral moves in the context of the war only if you sense that the atmosphere is correct," the cable said.

The cable makes clear that U.S. support for Iraq came without preconditions for good behavior from the Hussein regime.

"We are not making increased U.S. support for Iraq contingent upon Iraqi behavior in the Gulf," Eagleburger wrote.

If that wasn't clear enough, Eagleburger added, "A defeat for Iraq would be a strategic defeat for the U.S. ... We have an interest in Iraq's survival as a strong and independent state that can promote the stable development of its region."

Eagleburger also indicated it would intervene with the Reagan administration's allies in the oil industry to build Iraq's oil exports.

"We are talking with oil industry representatives about their plans for
construction of new alternative facilities for Iraq's oil exports," the cable stated.

State Department Cable (1), Dec. 14, 1983

State Department Cable (2), Dec. 14, 1983


A meeting with Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz was held prior to the meeting with Hussein, on December 19, 1983.

State Department Cable, Dec. 20, 1983

The unredacted State Department cable describing the meeting, as released to INTELWIRE, notably omits mention of Rumsfeld discussing Iraqi use of chemical weapons and violations of human rights, points which were described in an earlier FOIA release to George Washington University.

External link: George Washington University National Security Archive

The earlier document, written by Rumsfeld, was not included in the FOIA release to INTELWIRE although it falls within the scope of INTELWIRE's FOIA request.

The meeting with Saddam Hussein took place the following day.

"In his 90-minute meeting with Rumsfeld, Saddam Hussein Showed obvious
pleasure with president's letter and Rumsfeld's visit," a summary of the meeting stated.

"Our initial assessment is that meeting marked positive milestone in development of US-Iraqi relations and will prove to be of wider benefit to US posture in the region," the cable stated.

"Iraqi TV photographed Saddam's initial greeting of Rumsfeld and presentation of President Reagan's letter," the cable said.

"Rumsfeld told Saddam US and Iraq had shared interests in preventing Iranian and Syrian expansion," the cable stated. Rumsfeld also expressed interest in "seeing Iraq increase oil exports."

Saddam offered an ironic analysis of the Middle East conflict between Syria and Lebanon.

"(The) US had originally acted with indifference both toward Syrian invasion of Lebanon and toward the (Iran-Iraq) war, for which it decided to 'let this group of lunatics bash each other,'" the cable quoted Saddam as saying. "What ... would have happened to the states of the Gulf and Arabian peninsula if Iraq had not stood fast? No one would have been able to put out the fire. Zionism was in fact encouraging it to burn."

Rumsfeled responded with a lengthy statement largely endorsing Saddam's stated world view.

"Nations, Rumsfeld said, were better off taking long-sighted view and US had to try to take a comprehensive view. Our understanding of the importance of balance in the world and the region was similar to Iraq's."

If Rumsfeld made a direct response to Saddam's statements about "Zionism," it was not recorded. However, he did discuss Israel.

"To the extent there was excessive focus on Lebanon, Rumsfeld continued, it could distract attention from need to address more fundamental problems, such as security of the Gulf and circumstances of the Palestinian people." Rumsfeld added that the U.S. wanted to "promote a fair peace between the Arabs and Israel, one that recognized the circumstances of the Palestinian people."

Rumsfeld also suggested that the U.S. would consider guaranteeing the security of a possible Iraqi oil pipeline through Jordan against attack from Israel.

In another statement filled with retrospective irony, Rumsfeld said "Nations which export terrorism and extremism ought to be recognized as such. People should know that terrorism has a home -- in Iran, Syria and Libya."

State Department Cable, Dec. 20, 1983

Labels: INTELWIRE-Exclusive, Iraq, Secrets-Scandals

Views expressed on INTELWIRE are those of the author alone.

Posted by J.M. Berger | Permalink