Comments on: Al Qaeda Pulls the Race Card http://terrorism.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/11/19/al-qaeda-pulls-the-race-card/ The World Affairs Blog Network Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:42:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Josh Hammer http://terrorism.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/11/19/al-qaeda-pulls-the-race-card/comment-page-1/#comment-350 Josh Hammer Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:25:35 +0000 http://terrorism.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/11/19/al-qaeda-pulls-the-race-card/#comment-350 Adam, I completely agree. Al-Qaeda sympathizers are hardly 'dancing in the streets' over the Obama election as many Republicans predicted. Indeed, the President-Elect represents a very grave danger towards AQ and its allies: the possibility that America might be the wrong target in their 'war' against the West. Mr. Bush succeeded, if nothing else, in framing the conflict as the WEST vs. ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM. That classification served his purpose, as well as AQ's. Now those concrete lines are beginning to crack. What is the west? Is it white christians? Does it include Israel? India? Russia? Who are the fundamentalists? The Taliban? Iraqi Insurgents? Chechnyan Rebels? Pakistani Militants? Just as AQ tried to split the western alliance by driving a wedge between the United States and her European Allies, Obama should use this transitional period in American identity to splinter as many fundamentalist factions as he can. The fact that al-Zawahiri even considered releasing this tape is a testament to American opportunity. Adam, I completely agree. Al-Qaeda sympathizers are hardly ‘dancing in the streets’ over the Obama election as many Republicans predicted. Indeed, the President-Elect represents a very grave danger towards AQ and its allies: the possibility that America might be the wrong target in their ‘war’ against the West. Mr. Bush succeeded, if nothing else, in framing the conflict as the WEST vs. ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM. That classification served his purpose, as well as AQ's. Now those concrete lines are beginning to crack. What is the west? Is it white christians? Does it include Israel? India? Russia? Who are the fundamentalists? The Taliban? Iraqi Insurgents? Chechnyan Rebels? Pakistani Militants?

Just as AQ tried to split the western alliance by driving a wedge between the United States and her European Allies, Obama should use this transitional period in American identity to splinter as many fundamentalist factions as he can. The fact that al-Zawahiri even considered releasing this tape is a testament to American opportunity.

]]> By: Adam http://terrorism.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/11/19/al-qaeda-pulls-the-race-card/comment-page-1/#comment-349 Adam Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:13:54 +0000 http://terrorism.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/11/19/al-qaeda-pulls-the-race-card/#comment-349 Al Qaeda has worked for a number of years to win support in African countries. I agree with a previous user comment: Zawahiri perceives Obama's popularity within Africa as a threat to recruitment efforts. Republicans once argued that the US needed a President whom Al Qaeda would fear but, maybe we need something more... Al Qaeda has worked for a number of years to win support in African countries. I agree with a previous user comment: Zawahiri perceives Obama's popularity within Africa as a threat to recruitment efforts. Republicans once argued that the US needed a President whom Al Qaeda would fear but, maybe we need something more…

]]> By: War Crimes » Blog Archive » Al Qaeda Uses Racial Epithet Against Obama http://terrorism.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/11/19/al-qaeda-pulls-the-race-card/comment-page-1/#comment-339 War Crimes » Blog Archive » Al Qaeda Uses Racial Epithet Against Obama Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:40:56 +0000 http://terrorism.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/11/19/al-qaeda-pulls-the-race-card/#comment-339 [...] Goldenberg suggests the attack on Obama shows Al Qaeda’s recruitment efforts are threatened by Obama’s ability to rebrand America’s image, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. Our own Josh Hammer has a similar analysis here. [...] [...] Goldenberg suggests the attack on Obama shows Al Qaeda’s recruitment efforts are threatened by Obama’s ability to rebrand America’s image, particularly in Africa and the Middle East. Our own Josh Hammer has a similar analysis here. [...]

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