Update On The Killing Of U.S. Diplomats In Benghazi And The Attack In Cairo
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-09-13/update-killing-us-diplomats-benghazi-and-attack-cairo
Turmoil in the Arab world spread to Yemen today as hundreds of protesters stormed the U.S. embassy there. The action comes two days after the American ambassador was killed in Libya and crowds attacked the u-s embassy compound in Cairo. The chaos has been linked to a provocative video that maligns the prophet Mohammed. But u-s officials say attackers at the Benghazi consulate seemed organized and well trained, raising questions about whether there was some level of advance planning. And reaction to the volatile events in Egypt and Libya are spilling over into the u-s presidential race. Diane and guests discuss the turmoil in the Arab world.
Guests
Nancy Youssef
Middle East bureau chief for McClatchy Newspapers.
Robin Wright
journalist, joint fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson International Center, and author of "Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World."
Nadia Bilbassy
senior U.S. correspondent for MBC TV -- Middle East Broadcast Center.
Ambassador David Mack
former deputy U.S. assistant secretary of state, Near Eastern Affairs (1989-1993).
Frederic Wehrey
senior associate for the Middle East Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Comments
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I applaud Mitt Romney's comments on priorities and American values, he was dead on right and this is what I expect from a president. Contrasted with the Obama administrations apologies and back peddling, I know who among these men represent a true leader.
One thing that seems inconsistent , the Obama administration seems to bend over backwards to not offend and to please Muslim sensibilities but yet he and his campaign are spiking the ball at fever pitch over the Osama bin Laden assassination. Was it not Obama himself who said that would be inappropriate and would inspire violence ?
I would expect more from a Presidential candidate than to try and be a Rush Limbaugh wannabe. To go onto the world stage and make false statements,being the 'etch a sketch' statesman,does not bode well for anybody.What country could negotiate with the ultimate "Flip Flopper"?
The T-Party/Republican failed and unpaid wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,should make everyone wary given the constant Romney sabre rattling,ALREADY!
Poking a people and their religion in the eye will never "WIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS".Can`t they get that through those 3 corner hats?
Every time these right wing extremists go into their clowning routine,more AMERICAN`S DIE !
Comments from all these chicken hawk righties are to be expected as they sit safely protected by all those willing to put on the uniform of the US. While Joe Biden's son offered himself for service, others' kids are far from harm's way. AND of course, the cookie cutter conservatives once again chime in unison like a chorus in a Greek tragedy.
Romney once again brings out his empty sabre scabbard to rattle fecklessly against foes he can never understand. Maybe it's no accident that he chides other religions.......something Christ would not do.
truesob wrote: "I applaud Mitt Romney's comments on priorities and American values, he was dead on right and this is what I expect from a president. Contrasted with the Obama administrations apologies and back peddling, I know who among these men represent a true leader.
One thing that seems inconsistent , the Obama administration seems to bend over backwards to not offend and to please Muslim sensibilities but yet he and his campaign are spiking the ball at fever pitch over the Osama bin Laden assassination. Was it not Obama himself who said that would be inappropriate and would inspire violence ?"
No, that wasn't leadership. That was pandering to a base and politicizing a tragedy. "Flip Flop Willard's" comments were made WAAAY too soon in terms of making it a political matter. Even members and pundits of HIS OWN PARTY said that his statements were ill-timed (i.e. William Crystal). And why is it an American value to mock another person's religion? That isolates us further from the world and adds more fuel to the flames as a reason for terrorism against Americans. I'm a Christian, and I condemn what was done.
The movie "Innocence of Islam" is not the only anti-Muslim propaganda vehicle driving the violent reactions.The NeoCon movie "2016:Obama`s America",paints President Obama as an enemy of America because Obama is a anti-colonialist,a President unwilling to invade Muslim nations,and teach these backward Muslim countries our Christian religion.Add in the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,injecting himself into American politics,demanding American assistance in the Iran invasion plan,and you can get the impression a United States invasion is imminent.
Some years ago, I was told by Mormon missionaries who came to my house that: "The Jews are responsible for Hitler." They justified this by quoting from the Gospel of Matthew: "His blood be on us and on our children."
I do not believe that what I was told by those representatives of the Mormon Church is actually Mormon doctrine. Rather, it demonstrated that some Mormon missionaries are very poorly trained by their church.
On the other hand, the very offensive film represents the lunatic fringe in our country and in no way represents what our country stands for or what most Christians or most Jews stand for. And those who made the film in no way have ever been designated by our government as representatives of our country.
If Mitt Romney ever came to my door as a Mormon missionary and if I mentioned what I have been told, I would hope that he would apologize for it. But in fact, all that the statement from our embassy in Egypt expressed was regret at the disrespect shown for Islam. I too regret that disrespect. In saying that here, I am in no way apologizing for our American values, but I am condemning those who needlessly try to inflict pain on those who have different religious beliefs.
It is unfortunate that President Obama has felt it necessary to disavow the statement by our embassy in Egypt. And it is equally unfortunate that Mitt Romney has so irresponsibly tried to politicize that statement. After all, four Americans are dead because of some members of the lunatic fringe in our country who are deliberately trying to undermine our relations with the Islamic world.
Well said Steve Gewitz!
The Muslim extremists (a large portion of their populations) hate our country and smell weakness in the Obama administration and their right. It is one thing to sound reasonable, it is quite another to sound reasonable and to be unnecessarily apologetic and to openly support those who would do us harm. Obama invites terrorist attacks upon our country and our embassies .
With all the response my first comment has received I would say my opinion has been confirmed with all the over the top excuse making for Obama and the belittling of Romney.
Clifford wrote:
"The T-Party/Republican failed and unpaid wars in Iraq and Afghanistan"
When you try to tie the T-Party to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, you just put an exclamation point on how ignorant (ignorant: lacking in knowledge) you really are.
Clifford wrote:
"Poking a people and their religion in the eye will never "WIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS".
Neither of these incidents had anything to do with the film - it's been out for months - and everything to do with "commemorating" the Sept. 11th attacks. Use your little brain, Clifford.
Steve Gewirtz wrote: a superficial, politically correct excuse why we need to abandon our first amendment rights for freedom of speech, coupled with a cheap shot about Mormons. These Muslim extremists are not motivated by a movie, their motivated by blind hatred of the United States that happens to be very similar if not identical to what you have written as a response.
Is Mitt Romney complicit in this most recent violence? Even before the deaths of the Ambassador and other Americans were officially known, Romney poured gasoline on a smoldering flame with his first, premature statement. Doesn’t he think our adversaries in this region rely on arrogant, knee-jerk reactions just like this to advance their cause over those of democracy in these new nations? Religious fanatics in Yemen today seized the opportunity he presented to further demonize the U.S. deepening the crisis.
And Romney’s defenders like John McCain still advocate U.S. intervention in Syria much like we did in Libya? They are both human tragedies to be sure but the clumsy and inept attempts by politicians to exploit the death of patriots like Ambassador Stevens show that they have neither honor nor understanding. For them, it seems that second-guessing and slander justify their political ends.
Clifford wrote:
"The NeoCon movie "2016:Obama`s America",paints President Obama as an enemy of America because Obama is a anti-colonialist,a President unwilling to invade Muslim nations,and teach these backward Muslim countries our Christian religion"
Have you seen the movie, Clifford?
David S wrote:
"Is Mitt Romney complicit in this most recent violence? "
Oh, yes, David S. As well as the man's wife he gave cancer to and killed.
You people are positively NUTS!
Looks like a great lineup today Diane; looking forward to intelligent discussion and analysis.
Ambassador Stevens was a friend to Libya and north Africa; thoughtful Libyans are clearly disturbed by his murder. There is no point in taking the Libyan government to task; they have little ability to provide for internal security.
Which leads to questions about the wisdom of US diplomatic personnel being outside the wire of the embassy in Tripoli on 9/11, an obvious high risk date. Ex post facto, Obama and SECDEF Panetta are reacting correctly by deploying a USMC antiterrorism team (FAST) to the shores of Tripoli. These units are special operations capable to a significant degree.
The Egyptian government has more to answer for: US Embassy Cairo is their responsibility to protect. There is no question of Egyptian command and control of the security forces.
Why did that security melt away in the face of a mob obviously bent on violence, on 9/11? At the least, USG should reconsider the ~USD 1.5 billion in loans we just forgave, pending satisfactory answers.
Once again anyone who dares criticize the religion of peace can expect physical, lethal, violence. Apparently this extends to people in the US embassy who have nothing to do with the one who did the criticizing. Those who still want to work there sure have a lot of courage.
The way non-Muslim peoples look at Islam is to not understand how Islam can seemingly deify a human individual to a point where a mere cartoon results in death-threats.
(It's like if Christian groups threaten a Saudi Newspaper for publishing cartoons of John the Baptist.)
This ferocious reaction is totally alien to our way of thinking & is a major irritant to us.
Another problem is Morsi's request that we punish the author(s) of the film...this shows that they have no conception of the western concept of freedom of speech.
I guess this is the difference between a theocracy & a democracy.
The gap over fundamental values remains seemingly unbridgeable.
So so sad for the families of those murdered
Early on when the International coalition started supporting and militarizing the Libyan rebels there were reports that one of the head Libyan rebels had been a former Al Qeada member. Now this barely made the MSM but was widely talked about on blogs.
Also please discuss Ambassador Stephens role played with the Libyan rebels. Read that he was not just a soft spoken kind of peace corp worker but actually participated in the physical overthrow of Qaddafi.
Also the recent story of the CIA's rendition and water boarding of Libyan rebels several years back. Did this play into these murders?
Who is in control of the oil in Libya
Who will be getting to the bottom of this hateful video. Who produced, funded? Is Adelson at the top of this list?
Could these protest give Romney a bump?
Over at Professor Juan Cole's Informed Comment he reports that the protest are really not that large.."hundreds" Could these protest possibly be orchestrated from the outside in?
Again please discuss Ambassador Stephens role in the Libyan rebels overthrow of Qaddafi? I have read he was involved with the overthrow in a very direct way. What was his role?
And how does the enemy of my enemy is my friend play into all of this? Was Stephens working with former Al Qeada members to overthrow Qaddafi? Even Qaddafi was mentioning Al Qeada's role in his overthrow
I wish that news reports would routinely mention (instead of routinely omitting) that Libyan security personnel died trying to defend the US consulate. I understand that as many as ten Libyan guards were killed, but we only hear about the four Americans.
Omitting mention of the Libyan fatalities encourages the mistaken belief that all Muslims are anti-American and that the Arab spring has been an utter failure.
I can not reconcile the level of vitriolic hatred towards the President from the right wing with the actions he has taken on many issues. I can only believe that race is more of a factor than is talked about. When I discuss this with some opponents of the President they seem to have trouble detailing specific issues and instead mumble something like 'he's a socialist' or 'he's ruining the country'.
Edward. Keene, NH
ACK!!! NPR is NOT helping matters by having news anchor read copy saying "...American-produced anti-Islamic video..." It was *NOT* "produced by America" which is the idiot mistake all the Islamist thugs are already making! PLEASE FIX THIS NPR!!!!!!!
Maybe President Morsi has been taking notes from U.S. administrations who did not condemn Israel's execution of those on the Mavi Marmara, Israel's recent killing of over 4000 Palestinians , Israel's killing of Rachel Corrie. Maybe Morsi has been taking notes
It's not the film, why do we have to pretend were that stupid, or are we that stupid? This was a planned attack on what has become a national holiday of hate against the United States for the Muslim world, September 11!
Thanks to the commentators for confirming the true motives behind these attacks:
"Neither of these incidents had anything to do with the film - it's been out for months - and everything to do with "commemorating" the Sept. 11th attacks."
Why are we, as a nation, not criticizing the irresponsible anti-Muslim video? Yes, we have free speech, but shouldn't we use it with sense and sensitivity?
Your guest says the video is a pretext, but, you know, it is a fact that it is out there, and it is hurtful, insulting, and inciting!
Marilyn Pinschmidt, Carrboro, NC
edward1 wrote:
"I can not reconcile the level of vitriolic hatred towards the President from the right wing with the actions he has taken on many issues. I can only believe that race is more of a factor than is talked about. When I discuss this with some opponents of the President they seem to have trouble detailing specific issues and instead mumble something like 'he's a socialist' or 'he's ruining the country'."
edward, today's topic is the Middle East. I believe the "Republicans are Racists" topic is usually discussed on Tuesdays.
Polls taken by Saudi owned Al Arabiya and Gallup suggest moderate support the September 11 attacks within the Islamic world, with 36% of Arabs polled by Al Arabiya saying the 9/11 attacks were morally justified, 38% disagreeing and 26% of those polled being unsure.[23] A 2008 study, produced by Gallup, found similar results with 38.6% of Muslims questioned believing the 9/11 attacks were justified.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactions_to_the_September_11_attacks
Our brand new amazing technologies may not intermesh with the old world.
A religious war can easily be started using UTube. What else ? Facebook and Google are potential terrorist weapons. Great twist of fate.
Wonder how quickly Netanyahu and the I lobby will start blaming Iran for Ambassador Stephens murder.
Hope the Rehm show does a show on Netanyahu's tantrums here in the U.S. Will you devote a whole hour like you did on the "Israeli perspective on Iran" the other day as if we hear anything else in our U.S. MSM.
Please devote a whole hour to Netanyahu's threats, bullying, tantrums