Tape Shows Al Qaeda Threatened By Obama: Experts

National Security Network reports on the upshot of the tape in which No. 2 Al Qaeda Ayman al-Zawarhri calls Barack Obama a "house negro":

Experts agree that the release of a new tape by Al Qaeda's second in command Ayman al-Zawahri indicates that Al Qaeda feels threatened and is on its heels after Obama's resounding victory. President-elect Obama's diverse background, along with his pledge to reverse many of the policies and approaches of the Bush administration on issues such as detentions at Guantanamo, torture and the war in Iraq has served to dramatically improve America's image, especially in the Muslim world.

Counter-terrorism expert Richard Clarke explained, "Most of all, by returning to American values the world admires, Obama sets al Qaeda back enormously in the battle of ideas, the ideological struggle which determines whether al Qaeda will continue to have significant support in the Islamic world." Having thrived on the decline in America's world image, the impact of Obama's victory provides a direct challenge to Al Qaeda's negative depiction of the United States. Additionally, Obama's emphasis on shifting US attention from Iraq to Afghanistan represents a direct physical threat to Al Qaeda's leadership. America's improved global image and the new administration's focus on Afghanistan threatens Al Qaeda and has led to what experts see as a confused, racist, and off-kilter response reflective of an organization on the defensive.

Meanwhile, experts tell CNN that Obama is poised to restore America's image in the international community.

Comments

[harriscrl3]

Of course they are scared the American people made the smart choice this time and pick the intelligent candidate. The one who knows how to fight them not just by talking tough but going after them where they breed fighting them with all the weapons helping countries fight poverty so that they dont become breeding places for hate, engaging our allies in the fight. We picked a smart President who is going to put forth a comprehensive plan for fighting terrorism. Pat yourselves on the back America you did good.

Carol

[Indieguy]

Al-Qaeda would have been thrilled with a McCain win. It would have increased their funding and recruitment.

[bellenoir55]

Here,here!

[ImWithThatOne]

Obama is simply the right man for this time.

[mcdavis]

I think AQ knows they look desperate in doing this. That's why they sent out their #2 to slur Obama, rather than having bin Laden address the world himself--because that would've made them look even more scared and desperate.

Everyone knows that when you want to race bait your opponent you always send out your #2 person to do it--right John McCain?

[Tane]

Touché!

[theone718]

I will quote Obama when I say this "It is time to refocus on the central war on terror, Afghanistan and it is time to CRUSH Al Qaeda once and for all."

[Hekkenschroeder]

Also - if you actually watch the al-Zawahiri video, it becomes painfully obvious how the mainstream media has distorted its message to make it sound like a "racially driven" attack on Obama. His negative comparison to Malcolm X and employing the concept of the "house negroe" is not fundamentally about race, but about putting into perspective that Barack Obama is just another lackey of global capitalism, Zionism, and liberalism.

[luke150]

That's true, however, he is using a racist reference. So the message may not be racially driven, but is definitely racially framed.

[edva]

Very astute. However, Obama does represent the "high road" vs. Al Qaeda, or Bush/Cheney.

[greeniefromOH]

Yes, it is more in that context; the racist context many have interpreted is specific to our American culture and history alone. Not something they would truly grasp.

Regardless, they are wrong. Obama is no one's house-anything. They are making the same mistake Hillary and McCain made: underestimating him.

[cjgnew]

Mr. al-Zawahiri was just trying to prop his base. That's a good thing because it places him and al-Qaeda on the defensive where we want them. His message actually had a double meaning: (1) It reminds Al-Qaeda's rank and file that America has been treating them as house negroes for years; and (2) that because Obama, the house negroe, has taken over the White House, it does not mean that their situation has changed or will change. Who says that the MSM always get it right? If it were so, the blogosphere wouldn't exist.

Carlos Jean-Gilles
Saint Louis, MO

[marymansour]

Al Quaida is probably threatened by the fact that many Middle Eastern countries were rooting for an Obama presidency in the hopes that he will insist on a fair and just peace for the Palestinian people. I truly hope Obama comes through on this for it will change the complexion of the Muslim world if this can be effected.

[Hekkenschroeder]

The Obama administration will likely do a better job of utilizing the ideological struggle, at least to make the US appear far less farcical when it talks about democracy, freedom, and human rights. But, all that aside, a benign imperialist power is still an imperialist power. US hegemony will not be deterred by Barack Obama or the democrats. He is no different than the others.

The fact that he's hyped as a man who will bring about dramatic change is credit only to his campaign managers, press-team, and media presence. The material reality of US hegemony will dictate the outcomes of this conflict - not silly idealism.

[edva]

To have no idealism would be silly. Unless one does not believe that progress is possible.

[ZenCrusader]

Al Qaeda has been put on notice that President Obama will end their time of terror. RIGHT ON !

[BJOregon]

In an early speech, Obama asked how we could hope to disable 80+ active Al Qaeda cells around the globe if we deplete all of our resources occupying Iraq? Of course, that was never about the war on terror, but domination of middle eastern oil reserves. "Big Toy" war is obsolete when the "enemy" is scattered all over the world. We might learn from the Mossad how to position highly skilled operatives where Al Qaeda leaders are active, and diminish their influence per strategic orders.

[kellygrrrl]

apparently A-Q is not familiar with Obama's character and intellect, and has not yet received message that the new Administration will NOT be playing games.
Party's Over!

[mcantwell]

I Hope and Pray that one day Peace loving citizens in the Middle East will rise up against and defeat the terrorists within their own countries.

[marymansour]

They could more easily do this if the Palestinians got a fair shake.

[Chavez08]

...maybe it's because they know that Obama won't fly Bin Ladens family out of the country the next time he attacks us.

[RevSpaminator]

Like it really takes an expert to figure out that Al Quada is baiting Obama with racial slurs to get him to get him to react stupidly. Taunting only works on morons like the present administration.

[sepiasiren]

LOL--thank you ... Obama won't be reactionary, but he will react...

[dalkowski]

... with resolve, determination, character, moral authority and a REAL PLAN.

[marlainWA]

Al Quada wanted the whole world to hate us and god forbid they are starting to like us again because of obama....w­orld peace...

[ZombieKiller]

I've been saying this since I was 15 years old....our best defense is a world that loves us, not a world that fears us.

[grizhead63]

You radical peacemonger! (-:

[Mabila]

Louder!!!

[DRaymond]

I know from a recent visit to Turkey that in much of the muslim world thinks highly of Obama.

Of course they are threatened. Suicide bombers are single-use weapons, and all it takes is a little hope for the future to make blowing oneself up be a limited career path.

[ZenCrusader]

90% of my taxi drivers in Toronto are Muslim and from Middle East. For years now I have ongoing discussions with about 7 of them regarding politics and world situation. Obama's election was the FIRST time I have seen them enthusiastic and happy about something that happenned in America. They pretty much agree that peace is now possible. ENCOURAGING NEWS !

[mom2sons]

Now that's what I'm talking bout! Great point! Peace in the middle east in our lifetimes. Woohoo!

[fedupinfla]

Not to mention the fact that maybe they will look at US a bit differently too...Afte­r all, if we elected him, maybe we aren't so bad after all....

Maybe they'll think twice before they try to fly another plane into us.

[Coinyer101]

they know he got cajones