Anwar al-Awlaki, Radical Imam, Becomes New Focus In Fort Hood Killings Investigation

According to ABC News, the investigation of last week's Fort Hood shootings has also begun to focus on Anwar al-Awlaki, a radical imam currently living in Yemen who had contact with two 9/11 hijackers and is believed to have ties to al Qaeda. As the AP reported Monday, U.S. officials were aware that Hasan had attempted to reach out to Awlaki by "electronic communication,"--ABC puts the figure at "10 to 20 contacts beginning late last year"--but that the matter was put aside after being deemed non-threatening. Awlaki himself made headlines Monday after he wrote on his personal web site, in a blog post entitled "Nidal Hasan Did The Right Thing," that Muslims could only justify serving in the U.S. military by eventually following "in the footsteps of men like Nidal."

"Nidal Hassan (sic) is a hero. He is a man of conscience who could not bear living the contradiction of being a Muslim and serving in an army that is fighting against his own people," Awlaki wrote. Awlaki has voiced his support for suicide bombing in writings, as well as for groups believe to be affiliated with al Qaeda.

It's not clear what, if any, relationship Awlaki had with Nasan, but as a former FBI agent put it to ABC: "Awlaki is known as a senior recruiter for al Qaeda. He would be the spiritual motivator. Almost like someone you would go to and say, 'this is what I'm thinking about doing.' And they join in and encourage you and basically help you rationalize your behavior."

Before moving to Yemen, Awlaki was an imam at a mosque in Falls Church, Virginia. As the AP previously reported, Hasan attended the mosque while Awlaki was there.

More on Awlaki's background, via Wired:

Awlaki left the United States for Britain in 2002, later moving to Yemen where we was arrested in 2006.  Since his release in 2008, Awlaki has become a popular figure in Islamist circles online through his blog and occasional videoconference and taped appearances at events in the United Kingdom.

The Week also has a good breakdown of the Awlaki's background which you can read here.

Comments

[billobasher]

Okay I'll play this game.

Terror deaths inside America in Bush's first year-3,000

Terror deaths inside America in Obama's first year-13

[billobasher]

The Sandy Berger documents were not the only one's. THey know what was in them. Next to nothing.

[John Robert]

The non-issued gun the shooter bought had an approx 30 bullet clip and was designed to go through class 3 armor.

[billobasher]

The whacky right decided that this was all due to "political correctness." Even though they have ZERO in facts to back it up. This sounds good, and their messiah's Rush, Sean, and Glenn, will carry the water.

[billobasher]

THis guy was in the United States Army during all 8 Bush years. I thought Bush "Kept us safe?" In fact, if he was in contact with the Al Queda recruiter it was in late 2008. Who was President in 2008?

[john donne]

What is most surprising is the eagerness by Libs to defend jihadists. These are people who cut the faces off of innocents with piano wire. They use mentally handicapped kids to carry bombs into malls.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. You Libs have made friends with the devil.

[David Reinertson]

I'm more interested in what you think than in what you think Liberals think.

[Durango]

What people here are accepting as "facts" are the selected leaks of different governmental organizations engaged in CYA.

And anyone who doesn't recognize that is a fool.

I am willing to wait until the actual "facts" come out. There is a reason why both sides are always heard in a fair trial.Because if the evidence presented at the Grand Jury or at a Preliminary Hearing was all anyone heard, every person arrested would be found guilty.

I don't know why Hasan did what he did.

And neither does anyone else at this point.

But trying to point the finger of blame at Muslims in general, particularly Muslims in America or Muslims in the military is ignorant AND foolish.

There are after all, something like 2 million Muslims in America.

[Horst]

I've got to hand it to all the apologists who work so tirelessly to make excuses for this outrage. It must be exhausting work.

[phute]

No apologists on here Horst.
If you bothered to pay attention you might be able to recognise that there is a lot of cynicism directed towards the official response to the Ft Hood shootings.
You see we've been here before.
Or have you had the pleasure of actually meeting Bin Laden since 9/11 ?
And obviously you can explain away the innocent Guantanamo prisoners and the process that that took them there and why.

When justice must be seen to be done the most awful mistakes can cost the innocent badly.

[DMNB]

Ask yourself what the Major shouted before doing the killing. Now do you really have to question the man's motives? Now if he didn't shout what he shouted before hand I can see someone asking why. We already know why. Couple that with the phone calls he made to that group that I'm not allowed to say on this site otherwise my comment will get erased nor am I allowed to say exactly what he said or it will never even get posted like I have tried the last 4 times. And this site is suppose to be fair and balanced unlike Fox?

[David Reinertson]

Did you actually hear this, or are you just trying to taint Mr. Hasan's jury pool with rumors so he can't be tried?

[Horst]

The Army didn't want to risk lawsuits by CAIR by doing anything about Hasan.

[Ahsanm]

Al Awlaki was sent on rendition plane toYemen by Bush admin. He was released with all chrges dropped against him. Current news articles will not tell you this fact.

[Marnieblue]

please show me a link

[Horst]

Garbage. He was questioned many times by the FBI because of his contacts with some of the 9/11 terrorists. He lived freely in Yemen for a while until he was arrested (he claimed because of orders from the FBI). He is currently a university professor in Yemen. He's bad news.

[David Reinertson]

Sounds like you're filling in the blanks with information which seems reasonable. I'd want to get to know Mr. Hasan's superior officers really well before venturing an opinion about their real motives. Not likely to get that online, or in court.

[Horst]

The PC crowd are really having a tough time with this story.....

[billobasher]

Yes sir Horst,

Rush, Sean, and Glenn, have told you this was due to "PC." It "MUST" be true.

[David Reinertson]

I'm a PC.
I'm having a hard time imagining a psychiatrist "going postal". Just as I had a hard time with the first postal worker who did this, and the first high school student.
Of course, as a Liberal, I hope to prevent this kind of thing in the future, rather than just fulminate against the prisoner. If that sounds like "apologist", "excusing", "defending", then so be it.

[KIVPossum]

Aha. I knew if they worked they could get a 9/11 tie in.

Seems like the only thing to do is invade Yemen.

[Horst]

al Alwaki was the imam at the huge Dar al Hijrah mosque in Virginia..­...Hasan's mother's funeral was held there...and it was a popular hang out for some of the 9/11 hijackers.

[David Reinertson]

I assume the reason the Bush administration left Al Quaeda, the highjacker's favorite "imam", and Mr. Bin Laden and family alone was to infiltrate them with spies.

[afgail]

We don't let openly gay people into the military. They pose no threat to the US. But we let Muslim in the military, some of whom DO pose a threat to the US. If we are going to discriminate, why not discriminate against those whose religion promotes the killing of non-muslims?

[TellMeSumn]

Muslims pose a threat to the U.S.? Is is because the U.S. is at war with Muslims?

...and if their religion promotes killing of non-Muslims, why do you think your life has been spared so far?

[DMNB]

Because there aren't enough of them in the US yet. Have you read the K O R A N ? Then you should first before you dismiss what you infer to be paranoia.

[Fight4Freedom2008]

Who said ""War is against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an." as well as "I'm not trying to dodge the draft. We are not supposed to take part in no wars unless declared by Allah or The Messenger." and was famous for floating like a butterfly?

[David Reinertson]

But "stings like a bee."

[Fight4Freedom2008]

Why was this guy in? Remember the Champ said it was wrong?

[billobasher]

The ignorant far right is trying to blame this on "Liberals," This occured because of "political correctness in the military." Yeah right. Hannity is already trying to blame it on Obama. THey are getting excited, they are hoping against hope for another terror attack so that their hero Cheney will appear right.