Rumsfeld yesterday called for the military and other government agencies to mount a far more aggressive, swift and nontraditional information campaign to counter the messages of extremist and terrorist groups in the world media.
Rumsfeld criticized the absence of a "strategic communications framework" for fighting terrorism. He also lashed out at the U.S. media, which he blamed for effectively halting recent U.S. military initiatives in the information realm -- such as paying to place articles in Iraqi newspapers -- through an "explosion of critical press stories."
"Our enemies have skillfully adapted to fighting wars in today's media age, but for the most part we, our country, our government, has not." He said that while the al Qaeda terrorist network and other "extremist" movements "have successfully . . . poisoned the Muslim public's view of the West, we in the government have barely even begun to compete in reaching their audiences."
"Our enemies are operating 24/7 across every time zone. That is an unacceptably dangerous deficiency."
To remedy this, he called for increased communications training for military public affairs officials. He also called for creating 24-hour media operations centers and "multifaceted media campaigns" using the Internet, blogs and satellite television that "will result in much less reliance on the traditional print press."
While I agree with the cause, I doubt the intentions.
You see, U.S. administration always said that “if you are not with us, you are against us.” So, anyone and everyone who do not agree with Bush administration is ultimately a terrorist?! Is this how the U.S. administration refers to us? I hope not, but no one can tell where they place us.
On the other hand, let’s look at what he said more closely. He claims that “Al Qaeda terrorist network and other “extremist” movements have successfully poisoned the Muslims publics’ view of the West.” The question is how?
Terrorist networks and movements do not have satellite TV stations like the U.S. have, not they have known websites/blogs that Muslim (or non-Muslim) can follow. Even if they have, why are they still up? They can be closed in minutes. And to start a new one and get the crowed again to find it and follow it, etc… seams to be worthless effort.
Plus he claims that they poisoned the Muslim public. Does he know what is the percentage of internet user in the Muslim world? I bet he knows that it is the lowest world wide, but he needed to deliver his lies some how.
So, what is it that he is referring to? If they don’t have known websites/blogs nor TV stations, then how come we got poisoned? Maybe he is referring to Aljazeera? Is that what he calls terrorist satellite TV? I’m sure he has that in mind.
On the other hand, what is that poison that he is talking about? May be the photos of Abu Gharib, Guantanamo, Falluja, Al Basra, Killing for fun, the Cooked iraqi, Killing unarmed Iraqi inside the mosque, etc… Oh, that’s the material that poisoned us!
Well Mr. Rumsfeld. I’m afraid that no matter what you do, the citizen media can’t be controlled anymore. It just started to uncover your ugly face, your crimes and terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and everywhere. No matter what you do, it can’t be hidden. And don’t worry about the Muslim public, they don’t have internet connection to read and see your lies. In fact they don’t need to because they live under it and see it live every day of their lives. What you are worried about is what your people started to see, not what Muslims are seeing. You are afraid that your people will finally understand the difference between occupation and freedom. Your people will see the crimes that you are committing against innocent people. Your people will see that you are using Chemical weapons which you are supposed to be fighting other from using. Your people will see how you kill in cold-blood innocents. Your people will understand the difference between a terrorist and a ‘freedom fighter’, and ‘national resistance’. Your people will see that you are number one in abusing human rights. Your people will see that Democracy has two versions; one for white-skinned and another for rest of the world, were no democracy is the democracy. Your people will see that you are the unjust, and warmongers, not those under the occupation. Your people will see that these terrorist groups serve no one but your interest. I do not wonder why they started, not wonder if they will exist forever, until you and alike are brought to justice as cause and supports of all crimes and terrorist networks around the world.
We are the free voice of our nations. We uncover your lies and crimes on daily bases. We treat the world (including Muslim public) from your poison. If you consider us your enemy, that is your problem. You can try your best, but believe me, you can't win this one. Truth will always show.
This is nothing new. First they start tapping their own citizen, now they want to hijack the internet.
Remember the time when I could not find but one photo when searched Google Images for Abu Gharib? Now the time has changed. Truth can't be hidden for long.
I hope the American public wises up soon, again!
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“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
– Theodore Roosevelt
I would agree with you but Bush might send Cheney up here to Canada on a hunting trip.
“It’s always been a war of Ideologies not Arms and Guns” –[x].
Couldn’t say anymore, thanks for the rich material, Keep UP.
As you mentioned near the end of this entry, the Bush Administration in conjunction with the corporate media machine is working behind the scenes to control the free flow of information on the internet. If they are able to pass their nefarious plan, then they will be able to greatly control what is written and who reads it.
I’m certain that Rumsfeld is less concerned about “terrorists” on the internet and more concerned about the worldwide peace movement. The people he really wants to shut up are you, me and countless others.
nykrindc,
I’m afraid you are talking about different thing here. What you describe in your post is the method by which Al Qaeda may be communicating, passing info, etc., which is also not more than a guess or a theory. I have not seen any link to a website or a blog for these terrorist networks, maybe you can enlighten us with some, or at least give some keywords by which someone can google to find these websites. Keeping in mind that PDF files and videos can be faked by anyone and distributed to some busy forum, and there you go. Will spread like fire that this is a training manual, etc from Al Qaeda. I’m not saying that they don’t, they might do, but I’m that your theory is based on reports which could be like WMD reports that lead to war in Iraq!
On the other hand, if what you describe is so obvious and already known, then what is keeping these websites up until now? I can’t understand how they would be open-source as you describe, yet they can’t be taken down. I’m not a geek, but I believe that they (terrorist networks) have not invented their own internet, and they must be using what is already known to security and software coder experts. So, why is it alive? Plus, assuming that such an open-source websites exist, and keep changing face from time to time and running from an IP to another so no one can catch, what would make you think that members/visitors would be able to follow? Sound impossible. And if it is not, then if they are that smart, then sorry to say that your CIA is dump enough not to catch up with them and follow all their evil plans.
Back to the poison; Rumsfeld claims that this media poison the Muslim public. I can’t figure out who and how big is this public. Hundred, thousand members? Muslims are 1.2 billion now, so, how many got poised by this claims? I guess you know that majority of the Muslim world are illiterate and don’t have internet connection. In fact I doubt that they have a PC at first. So, would you be kind and tell me who is the public? And what is the media? Internet for the public, no way, let’s not fool ourselves. We know very well that it does not exist. What’s left? TV? Where? I don’t see any Bin Laden reality TV show anywhere!
Also, you say that Bush don’t mean me as individual when he says “if you are not with us, you are against us.” He means the nations. Very well, I’ll agree. What makes you think that Arab nation and Muslim nation is with Bush? And if you don’t think so (and maybe you should not), then that makes us ALL terrorist?
and nykrindc, what a strange Favatars size you have. For God sake, that’s even bigger than a standard banner…
please, if you want to comment, don’t fill in your blog address in the address field. Alternatively, you may put a link to your blog somewhere in your comment.
New Yorker in DC
First, I apologize for the Favatars’ size, your blog treats mine in an unusual manner, Usually, the only image (with link) that appears whenever I post on anyone else’s site is that of the twin towers postcard. For some reason, your site takes my background pic as the avatar to identify my blog. In any case, I’ve done as advised and placed a link to my blog in the comment rather than through your website box.
If you look at the links I provided in my posts, particularly to Stephen Ulph who is an authority on the subject, you can find many links to different web forums, and Islamists sites which have at one time existed or currently exist to propagate al Qaeda’s message. Here’s a link to another of Ulph’s posts with additional links. Here is another on Islamists militants call for a coordinated media jihad, which is likely closer to what Rumsfeld was referring to in his comments. Here are a few more:
An Online “University” for Jihad
Al-Qaeda TV, Via the Web
Syrian website calls for experienced mujahideen, as Aleppo becomes key point of departure for Iraq
Information cyber war on the forums
New online magazine indicates growing jihadi movement in Syria
A Guide to Jihad on the Web
New Online Book Lays out al-Qaeda’s New Military Strategy
New Magazine for al-Qaeda in Iraq
Additionally, while you are correct that many people do not have internet access, or are illiterate, you as well as I know that you can buy any jihadist tape or video in any market at a very cheap price. That is how al Qaeda has distributed many of its tapes, glorifying its accomplishments (defiling the muslim religion, a charge I note you did not address in your post) it is common knowledge that these exists and that they are very popular.
On the other hand, if what you describe is so obvious and already known, then what is keeping these websites up until now?
Because, just as we bloggers in any country (think china) can adapt and find ways to break through firewalls or security measures to get our words out there, so too can those who seek to do evil do the same. The internet, as vast and open as it is is not static, it is ever changing and evolving. As I stated earlier, for every one site that is taken out, three or four new ones prop up immediately. How do people know how to find them? I assume that once you belong to a forum, others in it know how to contact you and alert you to new sites, forums or developments, same as any other open source project.
they must be using what is already known to security and software coder experts.
Yes, they are, they are likely using software or hardware from private firms, which is far superior and secure than what the government can hack or break. That is a major problem, and is a tactic that is also used by criminal syndicates which makes them harder to detect and take down. It isn’t too hard to do, but it is very hard for law enforcement or intelligence agencies to be able to penetrate, if not impossible.
Rumsfeld claims that this media poison the Muslim public.
Well, how many people acknowledge the many good things we have done? Sent aid and humanitarian troops to help the people of Indonesia and surrounding countries following the Tsunami than devastated the region. How about the many schools, wells, clinics being set up by the US military in Africa to help communities survive and thrive. What about the children that American troops have brought to the US from Iraq to get medical attention without which they would otherwise die.
Have we made mistakes? Yes, many. But we have also sought to do some good in the world.
He means the nations. Very well, I’ll agree. What makes you think that Arab nation and Muslim nation is with Bush?
Let me clarify, what are governments doing actively to prevent terrorists from planning mass casualty attacks on their own countries, the region, or throughout the world? If they are actively helping to prevent these attacks, then they are with us. If they are allowing terrorists to plan operations against anyone, not clamping down on terrorist financing, not shutting down terrorist cells then they are against us. That is simply what that statement meant. Nothing more, nothing less.
Hello nykrindc,
Back to the websites that you referred to:
al-farouq.com (Now Accommodation in Germany)
nnuu.org (Software directory)
alqa3edah.netfreehost.com (Free web hosting)
ekhlas.com/index.php (Free directory)
qal3ati.net (Server not found)
Not going to question if these websites did exist in the first place or not, I’ll assume they did. Now the good thing is that they are no more. This proves what I’m saying, No matter how smart they are; they don’t have the technology that the CIA has. And don’t tell me that CIA needs legal cover to take down this website or that one, unless you think that Guantanamo is legal?!
CIA has recruited some of the best hacker who works like any private security companies. Yes, the CIA might not tell you what technology they have, which is normal, but can anyone believe that they lack the technology to bring down a website or track where it is hosted? C’mon, a junior hacker can do this with thousands of free open-source scripts, all s/he has to do is go to altavista.com and pick a tool.
But again, even if these websites existed or still do exist, we have to keep in mind that if PUBLIC can find them, then CIA can too. Note I didn’t say members of the network, considering that they are supermen and no CIA agent could get a membership to be in the mailing list which will ultimately tell them where they moved or what is their next terror plan. No, I’m just saying if very small and tiny Muslim public who has PC and Internet (considering that all of these Muslim public love al Qaeda) are always following these websites, then how come CIA can’t? Unless all these Muslim public are agents of Al Qaeda network, and all are terrorist. Hence, what Rumsfeld wants his listeners to conclude; that we are all poisoned!!
Sorry, I don’t agree with you. I’m living in one of the most conservative part of the world. Gulf; and this means the homeland of Bin Laden. While I can’t claim that no tapes might be flying here and there, yet I can confirm to you that none of these is legally sold anywhere all around the Arab world. On the other hand, if you are referring to al Qaeda mentions here and there, these are broadcasted on News bulletins at all TV, not only in the Arab world. And they are nothing but breaking news which any TV station would be running to have.
Contrary to that, there is not a single show on TV’s that glorify al Qaeda and their mission. All TV shows and legally sold tapes condemn al Qaeda and American occupation.
This is simple. You have not done enough. You need to walk-the-talk. First, you need to withdraw from all lands that you occupy. No one wants you here. Second, if you advocate for democracy, then you have to accept what the people chose, not what you chose, otherwise it is not democracy you are calling for, example, Palestine. Third and most important, be just, not double standard. Then only the people will see the good things that you have done. Until then, I don’t think anyone will be ready to see the good things you are doing.
While I understand your feelings toward the current administration, which has tried to avoid responsibility for the atrocities committed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has failed to establish a transparent world system for processing terrorists or what it calls enemy combatants, I disagree with your conclusions. Not withstanding the fact that this administration has ineptly handled the war against al Qaeda, but also the post-war phase in Iraq (causing great harm to Iraqis and our own troops, you must also speak up against the atrocities committed by Islamist terrorists. Here I am making a differentiation between the local iraqi insurgency and the al Qaeda inspired groups led by Abu Musab az Zarqawi. These groups have defiled Islam and Muslims everywhere with their actions. Not only did they try to fight American forces from mosques, schools and other places protected under International law as safe areas, and religious symbols, thereby removing that protected status from them. They’ve also beheaded aid workers, laborers, Iraqi political, tribal leaders and shiite pilgrims, kurdish civilians and even targeted a wedding in Amman Jordan, killing muslims for no other reason that they were holding their reception in a Western hotel.
Additionally, I would point out that when Bush said “you are either with us, or against us” he meant not individual citizens, but rather states, because it was his conviction that in this struggle against international terrorist groups, states could not be neutral. If they allowed these groups to operate in their soil, collect funds, training or operation, then that state was liable for the actions of the group, unless of course this happened even when the state was trying its earnest to prevent it, in which case the US would provide it with assistance to improve its counter-terror forces.
Further more, you ask how it is that terrorists are getting their message out given they have no cable news network, or blogs, websites, etc. Here I would point you to my blog, where I’ve laid out a case for how they have been able to establish their presence in the internet. The term I use is Open source Terrorism or Cyberjihad. That post details how it is that these groups are able to do what you say they cannot. I would also point out, that just as you say that citizen journalism can not be silenced thanks to the Internet, so too it is with cyber jihadist websites, as soon as one is taken down, three or four more pop up.
Cyber_rigger wrote above:
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
I couldn’t agree with you more. It is one of the quotes I have in my site to remind readers and myself that it is our responsibility to seek out the truth to hold our leaders accountable.
New Yorker in DC
And don’t tell me that CIA needs legal cover to take down this website or that one, unless you think that Guantanamo is legal?! I never said they didn’t. On Gitmo, I think we need to come up with a more transparent means of processing enemy combatants who violate all laws of war by 1) not carrying their weapons openly 2) not wearing uniforms to distinguish them from the civilian population 3) target innocent civilians or occupy protected sites under international law. Until we do so, I think people will not trust the manner in which we are prosecuting this war, so I agree with your implication on Gitmo. Gitmo needs to go and a new process that is far more transparent and just established.
But again, even if these websites existed or still do exist, we have to keep in mind that if PUBLIC can find them, then CIA can too.
Yes, but many of these sites are only up for limited purposes, so constant vigilance is warranted, the CIA is not all knowing or powerful, they are humans (experts, yes) but human nonetheless. You give the CIA too much credit and islamists not enough. For an example on how people can avoid the CIA “eye” I direct you to see what is happening in China, they have a dedicated (the largest internet police force) and yet they can’t stop all the information from making its way to China, the CIA faces a similar problem in trying to find Islamist sites or chat rooms, or e-mails, the internet, is too large and too vast for anyone or any agency to control. It is one of the greatest expressions of freedom, and yet therein lies its peril and the opportunities that that freedom begets.
Sorry, I don’t agree with you. I’m living in one of the most conservative part of the world. Gulf; and this means the homeland of Bin Laden. While I can’t claim that no tapes might be flying here and there, yet I can confirm to you that none of these is legally sold anywhere all around the Arab world.
I never claimed they were legal, so this is a non-issue. There is a huge black market demand for these, and if you know how to get pirated copies of western music, or porn, or whatever else you like that the government and society forbid it, you can just as easily get al Qaeda’s tapes and recordings.
This is simple. You have not done enough.
And yet we gave the world the internet, global communications, vaccines, cell phones, the end of major power war ( no more great powers are going to war with each other) why? Because our form of globalization has expanded the pie, creating a non-zero sum outcome for all involved. In addition to that, we’ve defended Muslims in Europe (Bosnia, Kosovo), in the Middle East (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia), the last were the King invited us to defend his nation against a menacing and expanding Iraq under Saddam Hussein. We’ve defended Shiites in Iraq from the likes of Abu Musab Az Zarqawi, who has shed the blood of innocent Shiites and our troops for his maniacal pursuit of power. We’ve even defended the Iraqi sunnis against the imposition by Shiites and Kurds to leave them out of power. I’m not claiming we haven’t made mistakes, but that many of our accomplishments are never noted.
First, you need to withdraw from all lands that you occupy.
I guess I must remind you that prior to 9/11 we were not occupying any muslim land. We invaded Afghanistan because it was housing al Qaeda. Without 9/11 Bush would have never been able to rally the nation to take down Saddam. In Iraq, both Shiites and Kurds want us to remain until they can bring the sunnis (thanks to our cajoling the Shiites and kurds to share power) back into the fold. In Afghanistan, we are preventing al Qaeda from launching an offensive to remove the Afghan government. We are in these places thanks to bin Laden, he brought us here, if you want to blame someone blame him.
Additionally, bin Laden has argued that we were occupying the land of the two holy places prior to his attacks, but the truth is that we were invited there by the King of Saudi Arabia to protect the country from Saddam Hussein.
With regard to your comments on democracy, you are correct. I’ve written in my blog about Hamas’ victory and how we need to let them govern, to judge their actions, not their rhetoric and respond accordingly. The Palestinian people elected them because Fatah was corrupt, we have to give them a chance to prove they can do better than Fatah.
You still neglected to mention all the aid and reconstruction teams we sent to Indonesia (a huge muslim country, and a democarcy) following the Tsunami in Asia.
As an aside, I’ve just read the Charlie Rose/Rumsfeld interview and think that Rumsfeld is a fool if he is really serious about trying to supplant the media with government controlled media. The original report I saw indicated he meant only as a means to counter lies and rumors propagated by al Qaeda and other groups, but the interview I read on Charlie Rose points to something far deeper. This Americans will never tolerate, a free press is one of the foundations upon which our country is built and noone, not the president, not the SecDef will ever be able to take that away from us.
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