AP Performs Hatchet Job On Released NIE

Rather than offer a reasoned analysis of a National Intelligence Estimate declassified by the Bush administration today, the AP selected only the most negative aspects of the report for inclusion in their story.

WASHINGTON - The war in Iraq has become a "cause celebre" for Islamic extremists, breeding deep resentment of the U.S. that probably will get worse before it gets better, federal intelligence analysts conclude in a report at odds with  President Bush's portrayal of a world growing safer.

In the bleak report, declassified and released Tuesday on Bush's orders, the nation's most veteran analysts conclude that despite serious damage to the leadership of al-Qaida, the threat from Islamic extremists has spread both in numbers and in geographic reach.

The complete quote from the report actually reads like this:

The Iraq conflict has become the .cause celebre. for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement. Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight.

The actual report indicates the deep resentment already exists and is fostered mostly by the socio-economic and political climate within the Middle East, where populations often suffer under Muslim governments. The declassified report also states quite clearly that winning in Iraq and defeating terrorism there is likely to reduce terrorism overall.

In perhaps one of the most irresponsible pieces of reporting from the AP, their lead story on the item appears to repeat Democrat talking points and overlook any real analysis.

"If this trend continues, threats to U.S. interests at home and abroad will become more diverse, leading to increasing attacks worldwide," the document says. "The confluence of shared purpose and dispersed actors will make it harder to find and undermine jihadist groups."

From the actual report:

Four underlying factors are fueling the spread of the jihadist movement: (1) Entrenched grievances, such as corruption, injustice, and fear of Western domination, leading to anger, humiliation, and a sense of powerlessness; (2) the Iraq .jihad;. (3) the slow pace of real and sustained economic, social, and political reforms in many Muslim majority nations; and (4) pervasive anti-US sentiment among most Muslims.all of which jihadists exploit.

Concomitant vulnerabilities in the jihadist movement have emerged that, if fully exposed and exploited, could begin to slow the spread of the movement. They include dependence on the continuation of Muslim-related conflicts, the limited appeal of the jihadists. radical ideology, the emergence of respected voices of moderation, and criticism of the violent tactics employed against mostly Muslim citizens.

The jihadists. greatest vulnerability is that their ultimate political solution.an ultra-conservative interpretation of shari.a-based governance spanning the Muslim world.is unpopular with the vast majority of Muslims. Exposing the religious and political straitjacket that is implied by the jihadists. propaganda would help to divide them from the audiences they seek to persuade.

The full report can be accessed here in pdf and here in text.

Comments

[splashtc]

How about overpopulation-how many kids do they have-osama was one of 57! How about letting women have more rights and power in their families so they are not obsessed with religion....Who writes these reports-Fema.

[Terry Gain]

Of course it makes perfect sense that Islamic extremists are more upset by the removal of a secular dictator, in Iraq, who killed Muslims for sport, and who would never have conspired wih them (Islamic extremists), than they are over the removal, in Afghanistan, of a fundamentalist Islamic government which gave sanctuary and support to the world's pre-eminent Islamic terrorist organization and which removal resulted in the leaders of that organization being forced to take up residence in caves.

Why, this is the very meaning of INTELLIGENCE.

[rocketsbrain]

More from the LL's and MSM's world of Alice In Wonderland on the NIE and the Senate Intel Co's Phase II Report.

Especially don't miss Scott Malensek's investigative report/rebuttal to the Phase II Report. Ray Robison (FoxNews Contributor on Saddam docs) has called Scott's assessment brilliant

No wonder why President Clinton and President Bush failed to act, these intel reports are nothing but partisan hack jobs that any junior higher could right. Acutally Charles Krauthammer said much worse last night on Fox's Special Report with Brit Hume.

Read More

[rocketsbrain]

Sorry the link didn't come thru. Try this one:

http://www.rocketsbrain.com/posts/1159206101.shtml

RBT