Max Boot is absolutely right that the United States has not figured out how to treat captured terrorists, like bin Laden son-in-law and former al-Qaeda spokesman Sulaiman Abu Ghaith. The question comes down to a dispute about whether terrorism is a legal matter to be resolved in courts, or a military matter to be resolved on the battlefield. The problem with the former is that evidence needed for a conviction would require exposing intelligence, sources, and methods that might spoil their utility to prevent future attacks or the forensic data available after an attack. A military response enables the United States government to protect its civilians and eliminate the perpetrators without compromising its own security. That al-Qaeda has declared war on America should have made the debate moot but, alas, Washington sophistication means never having to bow to common sense.
Counterterrorism requires not only military strategies, but diplomatic ones as well. Sulaiman Abu Ghaith was first arrested in Turkey, but then released despite U.S. requests that he be extradited to the United States. It was Jordan which complied with the extradition request.
Turkey is a NATO member and both the White House and diplomats say it is an ally of the United States. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, NATO invoked Article V of the Washington Treaty calling for collective defense after the al-Qaeda strike on New York and Washington D.C. Perhaps the Turks forgot. Or perhaps—as this Turkish ambassador suggests—Turkey no long considers al-Qaeda to be terrorists.
Either way, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry need to ask why it is that a supposed ally set free a wanted al-Qaeda terrorist. More importantly, it may be time for the White House and State Department to consider what the proper response should be for a country that shelters if not supports terrorists bent on the destruction of the United States. Strong leaders might curtail aid, withdraw the ambassador for consultations, demarche the Turkish ambassador in Washington, or restrict the flow of military equipment. President Obama, alas, seeks instead to offer Turkey state of the art weaponry and even give it warships. Perhaps it is time for the State Department to recognize that diplomacy is more complicated than ameliorating adversaries, and for Congress to ask some hard questions of Obama and Kerry regarding how they perceive U.S. interests and why, under their leadership, U.S. counter terrorism diplomacy has become laughable.
CIA literally to stooopid to insult. nCIA’s worse nightmare is Sulaiman Abu Ghaith Motivational Oratory. He shared US troops the ditches and fought common enemy side-by-side with CIA graft prodigals to expel Saddam outta Kuwait in 1991. As any traitor CIA ditched Sulaiman Abu Ghaith & his father-in-law Tim Oosman for the dogs then. Sulaiman Abu Ghaith retaliated against CIA interest in Kuwait – he got Anas al Kandari a young Kuwaiti shoot squad of marines, killing one, in Faylaka Island in 2002. Sulaiman Abu Ghaith jabbed Kuwait STATUS QUO and questioned the authority of Kuwaiti Royal Family, and the constitution to begin with. Sulaiman Abu Ghaith has no link to 911 albeit some Googledjunk & Wikitrash failing Photoshop, doctored Audio & over-voice-narrated videography that THE LONG WAR JOURNAL had it a field day to forge fictions. From April 2002 to January 2013 Sulaiman Abu Ghaith unknown whereabouts were mystery until he surfaced in Ankara hotel last January – CIA renditioned Sulaiman Abu Ghaith in Iran for more than eleven years. Rendition in Jordan is quite impossible as Arabspringers hitting Amman streets. Though he aided CIA kick Saddam outta Kuwait back to where he belongs. SULAIMAN ABU GHAITH is stateless and his gentile ain’t published. Kuwait stripped his Kuwaiti citizenship. CIA is CHOICELESS but to call back Sulaiman Abu Ghaith to Langley or tried at NY Kangaroo mock courts in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded and perverted by Puerto Rican, Ho Nu2721gga or jewish corrupt judge.have we any honor left? Or activated elsewhere whenever Sulaiman Abu Ghaith news needed.. It’s a scam. Kapeeesh! n
What planet are you from cloture? Are you sure you are getting enough oxygen to breathe there?
Turkey has been torn between East and West since Attaturk. Today the tendency is toward the East and Islam. Recall that our Turkish "ally" would not allow Desert Storm to be launched from Turkish territory. Recall that our Turkish "ally" did not allow American aircraft to fly over Turkish territory. Recall that the Turkish ambassador departed from our embassy in Benghazi less than an hour before it was attacked and our ambassador murdered. n nTurkey is no friend of the United States or the American people.
you think Obama cares?
Absolutely, Charleston. Obama's entire Middle East policy is invested in progressive Muslim leaders like Erdogen and Morsi. In Obama's view, anti-Americanism is natural and justified and will only be ameliorated by apology and a proper show of American humility. Moreover, the policy works. Witness Erdogen and Morsi's generous willingness to accept free American tanks and jets.