Al-Qaeda and Jihadists Respond to Obama Speech

During the first week of June 2009, al-Qaeda leadership released two messageswithin 24 hours reacting to President Obama's speech to the Muslim world that took place on June 4th in Cairo, Egypt. First was a speech from Ayman al-Zawahiri on June 2nd, arguing that Obama had already presented a clear message to Muslims through US political and military policy in the Middle East and its conduct in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He said: “His bloody messages were received and are still being received by Muslims, and they will not be concealed by public relations campaigns or by farcical visits or elegant words.” As his message was released before Obama gave his speech, Zawahiri also addressed Egyptians who will welcome Obama as the “slaves” of America, those who made Egypt an “international station of torture” and those who besiege Palestinians in Gaza. He urged that Obama not find a welcome or reception in Egypt, and that Egyptians stand as one rank in the face of Obama, “that criminal who came seeking, with deception, to obtain what he failed to achieve on the ground after the mujahideen ruined the project of the Crusader America in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.”

On June 3rd, a day before Obama's speech was to be delivered,an audio>message from>Usama bin Laden was broadcast on al-Jazeera television and spoke in part to Obama's forthcoming speech. Bin Laden criticized President Obama over his foreign policy towards Pakistan and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), charging that it is his orders to Pakistani leadership that have lead to the death and displacement of nearly one million Muslims. Bin Laden alleged that “this simply means that Obama and his administration have planted new seeds to increase hatred for and revenge against America… Thus, Obama has followed in the steps of his predecessor in increasing hostility towards Muslims and in increasing [the number of] combatant enemies, paving the way for long-term wars.”

The well-timed messages from both bin Laden and Zawahiri demonstrate just how much al-Qaeda continues to look at Obama with trepidation, given the regard that many Muslims, al-Qaeda's main target audience, currently hold for the President.

As it has been seen since Obama was elected, al-Qaeda has continued to embark on an aggressive campaign against the president, using the same old arguments: Although Obama may have been elected president, the plight of the Muslims around the world remains unchanged. The leaders have repeated the same rhetoric of tying Obama to the policies of the Bush administration, focusing on the issues of Palestine and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

These two messages from al-Qaeda leadership came in the format of audio messages, a format that allows them to respond quickly to current events, converse to highly polished video productions that take more time to produce. The quality of al-Qaeda's propaganda however, through its media arm, as-Sahab, continues to be high, with long, stylized documentaries. For instance, on April 12, 2009, as-Sahab released a video to jihadist forums entitled: “How to Prevent a Repeat of the Gaza Holocaust.” American al-Qaeda member Adam Gadahn (AKA Azzam the American) appears in the video and provides narration, giving in part a historical view of American aggression in foreign states and intervention in the Muslim world. Gadahn mentions similarities between Barack Obama and George W. Bush in terms of foreign policy, and focuses on US support to Israel. The video features a clip of Obama at an AIPAC conference, pledging an “unshakable commitment to Israel’s security.” That clip was also included in a video speech by Abu Yahya al-Libi, released on April 22, and referenced by Zawahiri in his speech from June 2nd.

Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the head of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq, also released a message in which he criticized Obama, calling him a “black slave who turned away from Islam.” In that speech, released on May 30, Baghdadi described Obama as an apostate from Islam who now commands Western armies against Muslims. Two months prior, in an audio speech released on March 17, Baghdadi attacked Obama’s proposal for a phased withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and his support to the Iraqi government. He observed Obama as following Bush in terms of his rhetoric of US military success and protecting a puppet government that oppresses Sunni Iraqis. Baghdadi said: “He continued the series of lies started by his predecessor, and he claimed that his army achieved success beyond expectations and that they remained all this time and will remain for the coming time to protect the security of the Iraqis.”

Immediately after Obama's speech in Egypt, insurgent groups active in Iraq and Afghanistan and dozens of members of jihadist and Islamist forums posted their reactions. These reactions were highly critical of Obama, most focusing on what they see as hypocrisy: Obama speaking of mending relations with the Islamic world and offering good will, while at the same time commanding armies that wreak destruction in Muslim lands, and supporting Israel against Palestinians. For example, on June 5, the Shura Council Leadership of the Taliban issued a statement in which they argued that Obama’s speech contained nothing “substantial” in order to reduce the “dissonance that has reached its peak between Muslims and America.” Rather, his speech is taken as a “continuation of the previous deceptive slogans of America.” The Taliban followed this criticism of Obama’s speech with another message on June 10, arguing that Obama cannot “fool” Muslims with deceptive rhetoric. His call for improved relations is considered by the Taliban as deceitful as his campaign promises to withdrawal US forces from Iraq and to establish security in Afghanistan.

Five insurgent factions in Iraq issued responses between June 4 and June 6, critical of Obama’s speech with varying degrees of harshness. The umbrella insurgent group, the Political Council for the Iraqi Resistance (PCIR), reserved its judgment, wanting to first see Obama’s words in action, but appeared skeptical. Other factions, including the Islamic Army in Iraq, Mujahideen Army, al-Mustafa Army, and Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas Army, viewed Obama’s words as hollow and used solely to win the sympathy of Muslims. They focus on US actions in Iraq to belie Obama’s message of peace, and here, the reaction of Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas Army was particularly caustic. They say: “We say to the Arabs and Muslims that this speech was only to promote ethnic division and strife and to disrupt the Arab and Islamic world. So, beware of falling into the trap of rhetoric… We say to Obama and his soldiers and his henchmen that we will continue to kill you… so get out of our sight… go back to where you came from.”

The insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with al-Qaeda leaders, each contend that if Obama truly seeks peace and good relations with Muslims, then he must completely withdrawal US forces from Muslim lands and not leave residual bases or bases, and cease support to Israel and Arab rulers. Here, the Taliban reasons:

Overall, jihadists share the view of al-Qaeda and insurgents and observe Obama as carrying a message of belligerence towards Muslims rather than peace. Some forum members praised Obama showing respect for Muslims, referencing Qur’anic verses, and speaking well, but in terms of content, they see deceit. One jihadist writes: “What peace is this? While your armies are still killing our people in Iraq and Afghanistan, what peace is this? While your weapons are still pouring on the heads of our people in Palestine and Pakistan.” On the Shamoukh al-Islam forum, a jihadist argues that Obama follows the same path as his predecessor, George W. Bush, and is a “puppet” in the hands of Jews. He says that if Obama truly seeks reform and to halt the “waves of terrorism,” Obama must cease all US support to Israel and prevent Jews from attaining sensitive positions in the government, referring to Rahm Emanuel, the current White House Chief of Staff.