Monica Crowley

Classified, for about 5 minutes

Splashed on the front page of today's New York Times is a story headlined, "U.S. Hopes to Use Pakistani Tribes Against al Qaeda."  Here is the first paragraph: "WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 — A new and classified American military proposal outlines an intensified effort to enlist tribal leaders in the frontier areas of Pakistan in the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, as part of a broader effort to bolster Pakistani forces against an expanding militancy, American military officials said."

The fourth word of the story is "classified."  Did it strike anybody at the Times that perhaps "classified" information should not be published on the front page, or frankly anywhere else in the paper?

The piece goes on:  "The tribal proposal, a strategy paper prepared by staff members of the United States Special Operations Command, has been circulated to counterterrorism experts but has not yet been formally approved by the command’s headquarters in Tampa, Fla."

I guess the military commanders don't have to wait to get a copy BECAUSE THEY CAN NOW READ IT ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES.

A cynic might suggest that perhaps the military itself leaked this to make sure they got funding for the project.  But that flies in the face of the delicate nature of our dealings with Pakistan.  President Musharraf is hanging by a thread and the Islamists are waiting in the wings to seize control of the regime and the nuclear weapons.  If the United States looks like it's injecting itself too much into Pakistan, Musharraf falls and the country slips into chaos.

Whomever leaked this must have known the damage it would do to our efforts to help Pakistan fight al Qaeda.  Those plans are intricate, sensitive, and now, no longer classified.

The Weeds of Jihad

This week, we saw the nexus between thinking about the threat of so-called "homegrown terror" and its reality.

Today, Jose Padilla (not to be confused with Richard Reid or John Walker Lindh) was convicted of federal terrorism support charges.  A Chicago native, he was held for 3 1/2 years as an enemy combatant.  Padilla and his co-defendants, Adham Amin Hassoun and Kifah Wael Jayyousi (Catholics?!  Jews?!  Buddhists?!), face life in prison because they were convicted of conspiracy to murder, kidnap and maim people overseas----as part of a cell that provided all kinds of support to Islamic extremists. All three were also convicted of two terrorism material support counts that carry possible 15-year sentences each. Their defense argued that they were just trying to help persecuted Muslims in war zones with relief and humanitarian aid. 

Of course they were.

Earlier in the week, the New York City Police Department's Intelligence Division issued a report about radical Islam in and around the city.  The report, of course, has national implications.  U.S. law enforcement officials say they have already identified "clusters" of young Muslim men, especially in the Northeast, who are on "the trajectory of radicalization." 

       They hang out in mosques (duh!), and bookstores, cafes, prisons, and flop houses, becoming what the report called "self-generating cells."  That is, inspired by al Qaeda but not necessarily taking direct orders from bin Laden and al-Zawahiri. 

       The report also details at least 10 (count 'em, TEN) recent cases where the FBI, local authorities, and European police and intelligence have stopped plots in various stages of planning and operation. 

       The New Jersey Intelligence Assessment also pointed out that "these individuals are virtually indistinguishable from the population."  Meaning: in many cases they are citizens who blend in very well and look to the average American as if they are completely assimilated.

       Welcome to Western Europe.  This is exactly the problem they face.  In this country, we like to think we're different: that America is a unique melting pot that encourages assimilation through opportunity and prosperity.  Well, we may do that better than Western Europe, but we're not foolproof.  Jose Padilla proves that.

       As he's led off yet again in an orange jumpsuit, let's not lose sight of what the NYPD and NJ reports say:

       *that the threat is radical Islam;

        *that it's here;       

        *that it disguises itself as "assimilated;"       

        *and that it's shielded by Islamic and Arab groups that claim and often sue for "discrimination."

       We need to stomp out this problem before it metastasizes.  Weeds are "homegrown" too.  That doesn't mean we let them grow.

The Enemy Is Testing Us

The alleged terror plot to blow up fuel pipelines and depots supplying John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York indicates an obvious point which requires repeating:  the Islamic terrorist threat is real and present.  The enemy is here and growing, plotting and infiltrating, bloodthirsty and committed.  Unless and until we are willing to look this enemy square in the face and call it what it is---without the weight of political correctness and the willful blindness that comes from the wishful thinking that the enemy isn't quite so bad---we are going to lose this war in a spectacularly destructive way.  Thank goodness for the law enforcement folks who nailed these guys. 

But we, as a nation, aren't even close to being on the kind of war footing we need to win.  Islamic terrorists have a seriousness of purpose we haven't begun to fathom----despite these repeated busted plots, despite their statements of intention, and despite the horror of September 11.  There is only ONE way we are ever going to win against this kind of fanatical but methodical, mass murdering enemy---an enemy which seeks nothing short of your conversion or death.  And that is to be willing to be as ruthless as they are.  It's a tough thing for democratic, life-loving societies to absorb.  But without that stance, we die. 

Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman eventually learned to be as ruthless as the enemies they faced, but not before the United States suffered staggering losses of life.  The key differences this time around are that the enemy is seeking access to weapons of mass destruction, and it is driven by its faith.  There will be no unconditional surrender on their part.  Ever.  A willingness to be as ruthless as they are is the ONLY way to signal to them that we are seriously in this fight.  Anything less is perceived weakness, and weakness is an invitation to enemy attack.

When the enemy tells you who they are, what they believe, and what they intend to do to you, BELIEVE THEM.  Our history is replete with examples of ignoring threats---or trying to "will" them away---until it's too late. This time, however, "too late" may mean the end of our life as the United States of America.  We are the world's greatest superpower, but we won't be for long unless we act like it.

When Cheney Talks, Pakistan Listens

A top Taliban leader has been nabbed in Pakistan, just hours after the Vice President read the country's president the riot act over his efforts in the war on terror.

Pakistani security forces captured Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, the former Taliban defense minister-- the highest-ranking leader from the Afghan insurgency to be arrested since the Taliban lost power in 2001.

Interesting how fast Pakistan can act when we hold their feet to the fire.

ABC Investigative Reporter Brian Ross has more on how the arrest went down, on his website The Blotter.

The End of Saddam

Saddam Hussein has left the building.   The man responsible for the deaths of one million people.  The man who invaded two countries.  The man who used weapons of mass destruction on his own people.   The butcher of Baghdad is dead.

The execution of Saddam is a very critical moment in the progress of the new Iraq.   Despite all the predictions of increased violence after Saddam's final punishment, there has been little negative reaction inside Iraq.

Brigitte Gabriel, author of the bestselling book, Because They Hate, told me this weekend that most in the Muslim world didn't care about Saddam.   She feels the execution will come and go with little fanfare, and that the only way he will become a martyr is if the media in the west continues to pay attention to his passing.   In the end, Gabriel feels this will go away as quick as it happened.

Gabriel is also the founder of the website American Congress for Truth.  You can purchase her great book, Because they Hate at AMAZON.COM.

Listen to my interview with Gabriel with the ON DEMAND feature to the right, or by downloading my free PODCAST ON ITUNES.

The Legacy of Rumsfeld

I feel like I’m one of the few Americans left who will be sad to see Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld go.   But no matter what you think of the war in Iraq, you can’t deny the importance of Secretary Rumsfeld’s service to this country.   

From the morning of September 11th, when he bravely rushed to help pull burning victims from the Pentagon, to the successful effort to bring freedom to Afghanistan, Secretary Rumsfeld has helped this country through some pretty difficult times.  When he stood by President Bush this week to say goodbye, he also stood by his decisions in the war in Iraq.   The calls for Rumsfeld to step down have been getting louder, and faced with the Democratic victories in the House and Senate this week, President Bush was clearly faced with a difficult decision.   

In typical Rumsfeld style, he seems to be taking it all in stride, quoting Winston Churchill who once said: “I have benefited greatly from criticism, and at no time have I suffered a lack thereof.

This weekend I’ll be remembering the Rumsfeld era on the radio by letting you listen to the interview I conducted with him at the Pentagon back in the summer.

READ MORE: RUMSFELD'S LONG, HARD TENURE

Monica Headed for Gitmo

Monica is being sent to Guantanamo Bay.  No, it's not what you think-- She's actually headed there so she can get the real story on how the United States is treating some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world.  Monica will be ready to share her experiences at Gitmo this weekend on the radio.  Don't miss it!

Taliban in the Crosshairs

NBC's Kerry Sanders has posted declassified image of several top Taliban officials, gathered at a funeral.  The image was taken by one of our drones over Afghanistan.   Why didn't we blow them all away?  Because unlike the terrorists who want to kill us, the United States plays by the rules of engagement, which say no attacking a funeral.   Maybe we should consider changing that, since the enemy plays by NO rules.   Check out Sander's post on the NBC Nightly News Blog.

Rumsfeld: The Historic Challenge

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the world faces "a new type of fascism" and is warning against repeating the pre-World War II mistake of appeasement.  Rumsfeld spoke to several thousand veterans at the American Legion's national convention.   His speech was outstanding, and is a must-read.  READ THE SPEECH.

The Rumsfeld Interview