Al Qaeda
The death of Al-Qaeda’s leader has sparked a fierce response that lacks an understanding of the real world. The world is not perfect and nobody should pretend that it is.
Nor is foreign policy black and white. It is a cocktail of aspirational idealism and hard fought realism but too often we forget this. The last few weeks have seen an army of armchair commentators purporting their often narrow and moralist interpretations of events as the only courses of action that would have been permissible. So let’s set the record straight on ten fundamental questions with some real world answers:
1. Could Bin Laden have been captured rather than killed?
No.
Continue reading "Everything you ever wanted to know about OBL’s death" »
Late Sunday night it was revealed on Twitter - by a well-known TV presenter whom I assume approved - that David Hicks had just received a standing ovation at the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
I wanted to know what they were cheering and tweeted: “Fact he abandoned wife and kids? Fact he thought OBL terrific bloke?”
There was no answer, but soon after another tweet arrived, from a complete stranger, saying: “God I am so glad you said that… I am no right wing jerk BUT I draw the line.”
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Kristanna says:
Wham bam thank you, ma’am, my questions are answeerd! Read more »
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Jack Thomas says:
Simon you’ve ruined my day by saying I don’t stand a chance of being one of your heroes. Well, I nearly snorted my coffee out my nose laughing when I read your post anyway. For me, a hero has minimum requirements, basic things like maybe courage and bravery, decency, and… Read more »
I don’t care what you believe, what awful things you’ve seen to make you hate - if you think an aeroplane ploughing into a skyscraper full of civilians is a good thing there is something seriously wrong with you.
So what was wrong with Osama bin Laden?
Like Muhammad Atta, the pilot of the second plane to strike the World Trade Centre, bin Laden was an educated man from a privileged background.
Continue reading "Would you cheerfully kill anyone who hurt your child?" »
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Sharon says:
Are you a parent Thomas Anderson? I can’t help but wonder if you have someone in your world that brings out a pure animal instinct to protect them. Is there no one that you would throw yourself infront of a bullet for? I have twin boy and girl, my son… Read more »
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Liam says:
Methinks someone has a size issue Read more »
For nearly a decade, the question of what Osama bin Laden might look like ran a close second to where he might be located.
Do years of murderous terrorism escalate the hair greying process? Would he be with beard or without? And what are the dress regulations for 21st Century villainy? Semi-criminal or smart homicidal?
In the long years between the September 11 terrorist attacks and Operation Assassination, these were key questions faced by US authorities as they tried to keep the visuals on their wanted posters and card decks up to date.
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Faybian says:
Maybe a bit of face??? Read more »
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the Liberal Loafer says:
who is the leader of the free world? Obama or Osama?Abbott or Abbottobad? Tim B or Nicole G? Read more »
Amongst the rubble of the Abbotabad compound, US Forces discovered a diary which they have leaked to diaryleaks.com.au, after Julian Assange rejected it due to “quality” and “veracity” issues. Read on for selected excerpts.
3 February 2002
Have decided to keep diary to ensure world has record of important post 9/11 career.
October 2002
So far contribution to global jihad has mainly been hiding in caves. Somewhat out of touch with day-to-day Al Qaeda operations. Number 2 is running things from Yemen in my absence.
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Faybian says:
Aren’t they saudi’s?? Read more »
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bikinis on top says:
i don’t know osama from obama. aussie men don’t know arthur from martha Read more »
Storming a building, in which latest reports suggest there were children, wounding a woman and shooting a man in the head is not your typical story of heroism espoused by the US Military.
It all changes, however, when that man is Osama Bin Laden.
There are many theories about how heroes and villains are created. The majority of us are destined to work nine to five and will neither blow buildings up nor end world poverty.
Continue reading "Good guys are nothing without bad guys to destroy" »
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Lisa H. says:
i agree this article is very juvenile in tone…my first response, saying exactly that, was not published. I feel upset by your comment about her being a woman, as I know very many opinionated young men who would take up way too much airspace at a dinner table with exactly… Read more »
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NESLIHAN KUROSAWA says:
Hi Sophie, There has been so much emphasis on these bad guys in the last few years, that I am beginning to get the feeling that in order to survive in the real word, we have to have these “hate figures”!! I guess it does make headlines, however what about… Read more »
It’s unlikely John Howard will apologise, but he should at least feel deeply embarrassed.
Al Qaeda would be praying that Barack Obama became US president, Howard said in February 2007.
The comment—an obvious diplomatic gaffe then—looks particularly stupid now.
Continue reading "We officially don’t know what happens post-bin Laden" »
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Seano says:
“in simple terms, communications technology is best undertaken, progressed and implemented by the private sector not the public” That’s not what you said at all. Even on this you are still completely wrong. Australia does not have the critical mass of people to make such an undertaking viable for private… Read more »
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jf says:
“So is medical technology. No more hospitals. So is automotive technology. No more roads? It’s a stupid argument there is only so much you can do to future proof any piece of important infrastructure, technology is always going to change. But please do tell me what’s going to supercede optic… Read more »
The world is justifiably relieved that Osama bin Laden is dead. But there’s this niggling little feeling that the whole operation was a little bit too… American.
The US as judge, jury and executioner. A daring and dramatic feat, and our brave heroes, kill the bad (really bad) guy. The President declares the victory and the crowds take to the streets chanting “USA. USA. USA.”.
Update: Osama bin Laden was unarmed when he was shot and killed, although the Whitehouse says there was a “volatile firefight” underway. All the latest at news.com.au.
Continue reading "Team America: Shock and awe over hearts and minds" »
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Jay says:
Osama Bin Laden was never going to be taken alive as it served no purpose. The priority was to kill him, grab all the hard disks and memory sticks and get out. If Bin Laden was still alive it would leave the US open to potential hostage scenarios all over… Read more »
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Moggy says:
Acotrel…..The west will be given so much more respect from the despots & their henchmen for what America did than they ever got for the softly softly approach. Sure, there will be riots & probably a few attempts at causing mayhem, but at the end of the day these hysteria… Read more »
The ‘world’s most wanted man’, Osama bin Laden is dead. For all the latest news, see www.news.com.au. For an analysis of what it means, here is what Matthew Gray, ANU expert in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, had to say.
This is a symbolic victory, and there’s considerable satisfaction for those who wanted revenge. I’m not sure it’ll have that much operational or strategic impact on Al Qaeda, though.
Osama was not, as far as I can tell, doing much direct operational work or strategic stuff beyond setting vague directions as to where the Al Qaeda ‘brand name’ might go from here – Al Qaeda is now a set of like-minded groups in different parts of the world.
Continue reading "Bin Laden: Some questions answered, many remain" »
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Blind Freddy says:
Gee! The government could never pull the wool over James’ eyes. The old knee jerk insults from those told what to think- and then question none of it, The term ‘false flag’ existed befor 9/11. Read more »
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Martin says:
Haven’t read the ‘Path to Persia’ then Dave? Gee, would have though you’d be better informed… Read more »
US president Barack Obama has just announced officially the news currently flashing around the world, which is that Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden is dead.
Bin Laden was hunted down and killed by US operatives, in a mission which followed a tip-off last August. The strike on Bin occurred in Abbottabad, in northern Pakistan. Members of his family are also believed to have been killed. There were no US casualties in the firefight. It is not known whether any civilians were harmed.
The architect of 9/11 and numerous other terrorist atrocities, Bin Laden has been wanted dead or alive by the US for almost a decade now. The immediate question now is whether the global jihadist movement will be diminished or indeed possibly strengthened by his death.
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Richard Perin says:
“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate… Read more »
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Rule of Law not Gun says:
Since when has it been acceptable for one country to openly assassinate a person within another country? This is directly against international law and was an illegal act. I dont support terrorists THEREFORE law abiding governments should follow the law….you know fair trial by a jury etc not just a… Read more »
Clad in his spectacular Bishop’s regalia, Greek Orthodox Bishop Ezekiel throws a cross in the water at the annual “Thefeonia” at Station Pier. This Greek “Festival of the Waters” is held at Port Melbourne in early January every year, where I’ve represented Federal Labor to the sometimes 5 to 6 thousand members of the Greek Australian community.
Usually I’m there with an array of local State and Federal Greek Australian politicians, but, in my own mind, my presence is emblematic of the natural tolerance and pluralism of modern Australia. All the politicians release doves and make brief speeches.
At the “Thefeonia” this year it seemed appropriate that I briefly expressed the nation’s solidarity with another ancient Christian community, Australia’s Copts, who are approximately 80,000 strong across Australia four of whose churches, in Australia were amongst the sixty four listed worldwide as targets by an Al Qaeda website.
Continue reading "Christians under attack in the Middle East and Australia" »
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Levi says:
Righto GingerKitty, Christianity has the same thing called a tithe, although obviously you know so much about Islam i assume you knew that about Christianity, but failed to mention it in order to strengthen your own lacklustre argument. A “pillar” consisting of an act of charity does not even come… Read more »
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youdy beaudy says:
Why can’t we all practice peace. Now, peace in our time would be good for a change wouldn’t it?. Anyone out there for peace!!!??. Read more »
News that our Diggers have rejected Kevin Rudd’s pessimistic view of the war in Afghanistan is no surprise.
A foreign minister who derides the French and German contribution to the conflict as nothing more than ‘organising folk dancing festivals’ when each nation has suffered nearly 50 casualties is insensitive and out of touch.
Like our European friends Australia’s participation in Afghanistan is part of a broader international effort that is making considerable progress.
Continue reading "Why Australia must stay the course in Afghanistan" »
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Jim Lamb says:
Afghanistan is a futile war.Anyone that supports it ,is supporting a disgusting imoral,corupt government.The slaughter of young soldiers that are only being sacrificed to supprt their governments total obedience to please America. America has slaughtered hundreds of thousands of inocent people,in Iraq and Afghanistan in revenge for the 9/11 attack… Read more »
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pp et al says:
the real question to be be asked in this political context is ... How and Why is Josh Frydenberg the federal member of Kooyong? we miss you Petros and you don’t know what you have got till it’s gone..your’e a legend and master glad to see you are working for… Read more »
It is fair to say that there is a growing sense of unease in Australia about our commitment in Afghanistan. Twenty-one Australian soldiers have now died.
The latest casualty, Lance Corporal Jared MacKinney, was laid to rest just nine days ago. Five hours after his burial his widow Beckie gave birth to their second child.
Beckie’s friend, Courier Mail journalist Jane Fynes-Clinton, wrote a heartfelt but forthright column about the broader meaning of this family’s private tragedy. She argued on behalf of her friend that Australia should honour Jared’s memory by staying the course in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Whatever the wrongs, Blair is still right on Afghanistan" »
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Dan says:
Jim, the West did invade Afghanistan. That does not mean it was not warrented (although it had nothing to with human rights abuses), but it was absolutely an invasion. Jon, how Islamophobic are you? The Taliban are a pervertion of Islam! Islam is not the problem, extremism is! Just so… Read more »
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Gregg says:
I really doubt that we can put too much on what Blair claims now if he had known what the scene was all about but doesn’t really say what he would have backed, certainly not a ” You’re either with us or against us stance as GWB was looking for… Read more »
Who’s going to say it first? Surely in the prickly conversations going on through the ranks of Australian sport and diplomacy, many people are suggesting it: that we shouldn’t be going to the Commonwealth Games.
It is one thing to take your own life in your hands by getting on a toboggan and going down an ice chute but it is quite another for governments and sporting authorities to send athletes to a place where people are threatening to kill them.
Following today’s threat of a terrorist attack on the Games in New Delhi from an al-Qaeda offshoot the stakes have been raised to vertigo-inducing levels. Fox Sports reports today:
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Concerned Aussie says:
Fully agree with Etrix… I think India very well deserve to host the games. This event will reflect to other members of Commonweatlh & other new countries that with right attitude & approach every nation can economically grow like India has… definitely there lot of issues to tackle in India… Read more »
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Etrix says:
I see you are quite jealous of what India has achieved in just 60 years after independence… This is natural for someone like you who hasn’t achieved anything meaningful in life to feel that way… I have full sympathetic to you… As saying goes Elephant does not get distracted when… Read more »
As a new year begins we should look at where we are with the struggle against Jihadi terrorism.
Retrospectively, we can now see a pattern in the role of Pakistani based Jihadists and new potential threats to Australia.
Three Australians, Gareth McEvoy, Nathan Verity, and Craig Senger, were murdered in Jakarta on July 17 by al-Qaeda’s South East Asian franchise, Jemaah Islamiyah.
Continue reading "On terrorism, we need to tell Pakistan enough is enough" »
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Davido says:
Yes Sri… a hard time. India needs to stop pretending it is the victim all the time. In the twelve months up to Mumbai there were 13 terrorist acts in India (there may be more of that I am not aware of). ALL of these were perpetrated by Indian terrorists.… Read more »
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ChrisJ says:
I believe Jezza is believing the propoganda and false history spread to justify zionist apartheid and land theft. There are tens of thousands of Muslims living in Iran despite strong efforts by Israel to frighten them into moving to Israel “to make up numbers” and displace those who have… Read more »
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