CIA Official: Iraq War Helping al-Qaida

[dArKeR]

LONDON - A CIA (news - web sites) official who claims in a book that the West is losing the war on terror said in an interview Tuesday night that the war in Iraq (news - web sites) was actually helping al-Qaida.

The 23-year veteran of the CIA, who also has spoken with the U.S. media, is releasing the book anonymously and has not identified himself.

"Iraq was a gift of epic proportions to Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) and those who think like him," the man said, his face hidden during the interview on the British Broadcasting Corp. "Newsnight" show.

The CIA veteran's claim comes at a time when British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) is facing the prospect of another potentially critical report to be released on Wednesday on Britain's participation in the war in Iraq.

The book, "Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror," is to be released next month in the United States.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=513&e=7&u=/ap/20040714/ap_on_go_ot/britain_cia_anonymous

[Spiffarino]

1. This story broke a couple weeks ago didn't it?

Still, it's good to get a heads up, so thanks. I plan on being first in line at Books-A-Million to get a copy. This guy's work is what the "War on Terr'r" really comes down to.

I wonder how hard RoveCo is beating the weeds to out this guy.

[struggle4progress]

6. Story broke three or four weeks ago ...

... and 'Anonymous' was outed about two weeks back:

'Boston Phoenix' IDs 'Anonymous' CIA Officer
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=656451

[Poiuyt]

2. Be sure to rate this story a 5

[Roon]

3. Kick

[leftchick]

4. "the amerikan people are safer today".....

so says the chimpass*.. over and over and over.. :puke:

[cmutt]

5. should this shock you?

GWB's actions have done nothing but strengthen terrorists anti-US mindset. The war on terror isn't a physical war, but a mental war: it's a war of ideas and it's a war of beliefs. Unfortunately, this administration seems incapable of seeing this. Their war on Iraq has 'added fuel to the fire' for terrorists: it shows how bad and imperialistic the US can be. They simply couldn't have asked for better ammunition for recruiting the next-generation of terrorists. This is going to weaken US security for the next generation. I'm afraid that time will show that this misguided Iraq war will be one of the biggest blunders (and blemishes) in US history.

[Gregorian]

10. Wow, that was good.

Cmutt, I love hearing that there are other real people in this country. Thanks.

When Bush got into office, my 80 year old father turned to my mom and said, here comes the war.
When the WTC towers fell, my dad said that we needed to forgive.
When they talked about another war, I protested.

We were right. We aren't CIA employees, we just have common sense. I'm always amazed that people get paid money to do what takes level headed people like us, just moments to conceive.

[truthspeaker]

7. if only a few million people had warned Bush of this ahead of time

Oh, wait, we did.

[democracy eh]

8. is there an actual publication/availability date?

everything I can find just says July 2004

I want to place an order for some books, but am waiting to include I H in my order

[Az_lefty]

9. It is helping al-Qaida...

Iraq is a major distraction from the war on terra-ism.