09.30.2012 original publish date
10.28.2012 update (there were NO protests before Benghazi attack – ABC News Video)
U.S. Embassies & Staff Come Under Attack, Part IV: The Politics
original article written by Net Advisor™
Excerpt: This is Part IV of our 5-part series report on not just recent, but numerous terrorists attacks on U.S. Embassies and staff covering especially the last four years. The Obama Administration has blamed a “video” for recent terrorists attacks against U.S. Embassies and staff in Libya. The Administration claims they didn’t know the recent attacks were coming. We have found that the Administration has done very little to keep U.S. Embassies and staff safe from ongoing attacks.
Part IV discusses the defensiveness of the Administration, who knew what and when; the politics in how the Administration changed their story on what really happened on September 11, 2012 in Libya.
[1] U.S. Libya Foreign Policy Fiasco Turns Ugly from Inside the State Department
Recently, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s “longtime aide and personal spokesman at the State Department,” Philippe Reines called reporter an “unmitigated a**hole” and told him to “F*** off” over Libya questions (Source: DailyMail.UK).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpbmdowMOw4
White House Re-framer (officially, “press secretary”) Jay Carney (video above) said that the recent attacks against U.S. Embassies (all over the world) have nothing to do with U.S. policy, “obviously” the Obama Administration, or the people of the United States.
“This is a fairly volatile situation, and it is in response not to U.S. policy, not to, obviously, the administration, not to the American people…”
— Source: Mediate.com
Obviously?
So the attacks against other U.S. Embassies and staff by radical religious groups who use the exact same or similar tactics as they did in Libya on September 11, 2012, have nothing to do with U.S. policy in the Middle-East? It’s all random and coincidental? There is no way that terrorists can organize and commit massive murder or destruction? Hint 9/11/2001. And 9/11 had nothing to do with U.S. policy in the Middle-East either?
[2] White House says ‘Libya Was Not a Planned Attack?’ (9-14-2012 Video)
[3] Who Knew What and When?
The Obama Administration denies knowing anything about upcoming U.S. attack that was published in a British newspaper prior to the attack (PDF);
The U.S. government knew in advance of potential harm to Americans and U.S. Embassies in the Middle-east [Sources: Reuters, The Independent.UK (PDF)];
[4] President Obama Skipping Daily Intelligence Briefings?
A report indicated that President Obama has only kept up with 536 daily intelligence briefings in his 1,225 days in office (or 56%) (PDF); and apparently skipped intelligence briefing since September 5th, canceled a scheduled intelligence meeting to “comfort” State Department workers, and instead of rescheduling the meeting, goes to a Vegas political campaign fundraiser.
“According to the public schedule of the president, the last time the Obama attended his daily intelligence meeting was Sept. 5 — a week before Islamist radicals stormed our embassy in Cairo and terrorists killed our ambassador to Tripoli.
The president was scheduled to hold the intelligence meeting at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, the day after the attacks, but it was canceled so that he could comfort grieving employees at the State Department — as well he should.
But instead of rescheduling the intelligence briefing for later in the day, Obama apparently chose to skip it altogether and attend a Las Vegas fundraiser for his re-election campaign. One day after a terrorist attack.”
— Source: Washington Post (PDF)
The American killings took place on the 11th Anniversary of September 11th WTC terrorist attacks (PDF – highlight added);
The initial U.S. government reaction to the murdered Americans was to issue an apology to the Muslim religion for ‘hurting their feelings’ (PDF);
Instead of immediately securing U.S. Embassies and Americans in current high risk areas, President Obama went on a radio show with a radio DJ named “Pimp with the Limp” (PDF), then went on a (per-recorded) show for David Letterman (PDF), went to a Washington DC fundraiser (Fri 09-14-2012) to collect $1.4 million for the 2012 campaign & Democrat party (PDF); took just 1 hour out of his busy campaign schedule at the State Department (PDF) before heading on over to La Vegas and Colorado to campaign (PDF.) Obama told Americans to avoid Las Vegas in 2010 (PDF).
President Obama also blew off Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who asked to schedule a meeting about Iranian nuke developments. The White House said he could not meet because the Israeli Prime Minister because of Obama’s (above) “busy schedule” (PDF – highlight added).
What we know is contrary to the Obama Administration’s view that they didn’t know anything about these events in advance, the U.S. Embassy in Egypt sent most everyone home because of an “upcoming protest.”
In Egypt (BEFORE U.S. Embassy in Cairo and Libya came under attack:
“Almost all the staff had left before the embassy was breached, a US official said. Only a few staff members were still inside, as embassy security had sent most staff home early after learning of the upcoming protest.”
— Source: Guardian.UK (PDF) (share link)
So we know that the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt knew in advance that major demonstrations against the U.S. were coming.
[5] Other U.S. Embassies Issue Advisement
The U.S. Embassy in Algiers advised Americans in the region that “unspecified groups are using online social networks to organize demonstrations in front of the embassy “to protest a range of issues” (Source: Boston.com). U.S. Embassies in other countries also advised Americans in the region to be cautious (Source: Fox News).
[6] Intelligence Agencies Warned U.S. Embassy
A report suggested an intelligence agency issued a cable, warning the U.S. Embassy in Egypt of potential violence – before the violence protest occurred (Source: Reuters).
[7] U.S. Knew of Video Did Not Consider Risk
The Obama Administration claimed (video above) it has no prior knowledge of the attacks. Yet, the United States knew that this controversial video trailer was aired on a talk show in the Middle-East (Source: Reuters). The Administration did not have the insight to consider that this hot bed region could be a potential security risk to U.S. or Western assets.
An unnamed U.S. officials believed that the attack on the Ambassador and the Embassy was planned in advance.
“US officials said last night they believed the attack in Benghazi may have been planned some time ago and the protests over the film used as a cover.”
— Source: The Independent.UK, 09-13-2012 (PDF – highlight added)
The only problems with this, is that we now know that there were NO PROTESTS in Benghazi, Libya before the attack on the U.S. Embassy on or just before 09-11-2012.
Video:
The Obama government had intelligence in advance that such Mideast violence could happen to U.S. Embassies in advance.
“The cable, dispatched from Washington on September 10, the day before protests erupted, advised the embassy the broadcasts could provoke violence.”
— Source: Reuters
So we know that the Obama Administration had advance notice of risk of upcoming organized “protests” against U.S. Embassies in the region. We also know that the 11th anniversary of September 11 was coming the next day. The Administration did not bother to increase security for Americans or for U.S. Embassies?
We know that on September 3, 2012, eight days before the U.S. Embassy attacks in Egypt and Libya, two Pakistani employees working for the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan were killed by a suicide bomber who rammed a U.S. consulate vehicle. Over a dozen other people were wounded including two Americans stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Peshawar (Source: Reuters).
We also know that just two days before the 11th anniversary of September 11th (2001), some 58 people were killed throughout Iraq including a car bomb near the French Embassy (Source: Reuters PDF).
Despite these recent terrorists attacks just two and eight days prior to the attacks in Libya and other U.S. Embassies, the Obama Administration did not bother to increase security to Embassies in the region.
Then, suddenly the Obama Administration claims they were “caught by surprise” of the 9/11 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya where the U.S. Ambassador and three other Americans were killed (Source: Army Times).
This Libya attack seems to have been deliberately timed with the 11th anniversary of September 11 (2001):
“Wanis al-Sharef, eastern Libya’s deputy interior minister, said on Thursday the attacks were suspected to have been timed to mark the 9/11 anniversary and that the militants used civilians protesting an anti-Islam film as cover for their action.”
— Source: Fox News, 09-13-2012
[8] Not Likely a “Small Savage Group” Madam Secretary
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the attackers on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya was a “small and savage group” (Source: Washington Post (PDF) – highlight added).
I studied behavioral psychology and spent part of my senior year in college doing a research report of the history of terrorism and terrorist behavior. The report focused on international terrorism and the challenges it presented at the time to U.S. intelligence. The report included analyzing communications from a speech by then Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), William Casey who served under President Ronald Reagan.
My initial reaction was that this wasn’t a flash mob. It was more likely a a radical armed religious faction with anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli belief systems. It doesn’t take an expert to know that these groups have existed for decades, have acted violently toward western targets (9/11/2001, Pan-Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, U.S. Embassy in Beirut (1983), both U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Tanzania (1998), etc. This is not new, this is the world we live in.
How the Obama Administration or the State Department can say they were “surprised” by the U.S. Embassy attacks questions how close are they really paying attention to the region, and are their policies realistic? The reason why I say this is because the U.S. has been subject to on-going terrorist attacks on U.S. Embassies and staff especially over the last four years (report).
Apparently the Obama Administration either does not see the reality of the threat and thus has failed to keep America’s Embassies and staff safe when in hostile and unstable nations. One has to ask the question: When will the Obama Administration stop apologizing for America, stand up to terrorism and to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States?
Contrary to the Obama Administration’s view, the Libyan president has repeatedly said that he has “no doubt” that the 9/11 attacks in Libya was “Pre-Planned” (Source: DailyMail.UK PDF).
We know that the group responsible for the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Cairo is also part of the jihadist movement.
According to a published report there were two attacks. A second group of “about 20” people armed with assault weapons and rocket-propelled grenades who starting the shooting at the Embassy and subsequently stormed the U.S. compound. The Libyan Deputy Interior Minister Wanis al-Sharif concurred.
“Libyan Deputy Interior Minister of the Eastern Region Wanis al-Sharif told a news conference today that about 20 gun-wielding attackers fire automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.
By 10:15 p.m., the attackers had stormed the grounds and begun firing on the main building.
…by midnight the U.S. official said today, a second assault began as the annex started taking fire. Libya’s al-Sharif said today that a separate group was involved in that firefight…”
[9] By Definition, Middle-East Attacks on U.S. Embassy’s Were Terrorist Attacks
The events in the Middle-East against the United States are deemed ‘terrorist attack’ that the meet this definition:
U.S. Official Definition of International Terrorism (Quote):
(1) the term “international terrorism” means activities that—
(A) involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State;
(B) appear to be intended
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
(C) occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or transcend national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum;— Source: Title 18 United States Code § 2331 (page 2, PDF – highlight added) (Easier read of the statute: Cornell University Law School)
[10] Unable to Hide From the Facts, Obama Changes Story
President Obama also having a difficult time to re-frame fantasy from reality also changed his story. Initially Obama denied that the attacks were conducted by trained military-style terrorists. Nine days after the fact, on 09-20-2012, Obama finally came to terms with reality and admitted that the Libyan attack was the work of terrorist, but fell short of that it was tied to al Qaeda or al Qaeda sympathizers. Obama also still blame the anti-Muslim video trailer for the cause for all the recent attacks on U.S. Embassies in the Middle-east, North and East Africa (Source: Daily Mail.UK, PDF).
“It is self-evident that what happened in Benghazi was a terrorist attack,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters traveling with President Barack Obama. “Our embassy was attacked violently and the result was four deaths of American officials.”
— Source: Reuters
The White House did not comment or acknowledge nor deny that any other recent U.S. Embassy attacks were “terrorist attacks”.
Thus by definition, and the White House’s own admission 9 days after the fact, the attack on at least the U.S. Embassy was not a “small and savage group” (PDF – highlight added) as Madam Secretary Clinton portrayed; it was an act of terrorism against the people of the United States.
[11] Unable to Hide From the Facts, State Department Changes Story
Now, 15 days after the fact, Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is now hinting that the 9/11 attacks in Libya had an “explicit link” to al Qaeda. This is a complete reversal of Secretary Clinton’s early claims of a “small savage group.” Madam Secretary, all “protestors” carry AK-47’s, mortar fire and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) right? It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to figure out that this was a military-style attack.
[12] A Duck is a Duck: Government Re-Defining Labels
The label given to the people who have killed Americans using grenade launchers, home-made fire bombs, and machine guns, damaged or destroyed U.S. sovereign property are improperly called “Protestors.” There is a slight difference between demonstrations of disagreement with chant and signs, than with guns, explosives and committing murder. These are acts of war against the United States. Anytime a sovereign land or property or people are attacked regardless of location, regardless of the underline events or reason, they are acts of war.
This is not to suggest that the U.S. should start a new war. We are already at war! We are just not defending ourselves or our Embassies. We rely on foreign governments for our own security? What should be reflected is calling a duck a duck. If someone kills another person in the United States it is still murder. They are not called a “protestor.”
The Oklahoma City Bomber Timothy McVeigh was not a protestor. He was a murder, and would be defined today as domestic terrorist. Apparently the Obama Administration is so hypersensitive about accidentally be seen as offending other people’s religion despite decades of factions who have committed terrorism against France, Germany, Israel, U.K., USA, etc., we now call those people “Protestors” and “misguided individuals.”
[13] Justice?
President Obama said, ‘‘Make no mistake. Justice will be done,’ and that the United States would ‘‘work with the Libyan government to bring to justice’’ (Source: Boston.com). Have any of the other Embassy attacks over the last four years been brought to justice?
[14] A Little Too Late
Only AFTER high media and social network attention was given to these recent events in Libya and Egypt did the Obama Administration decide to up security at embassies world-wide. Like typically government response, they act after a crisis has already occurred (Source: CNN).
It is a bit late to saves the lives of the four Americans killed in the 9/11 (2012) U.S. Embassy attack in Libya. Granted working in an embassy in an unstable country with hostiles is a big risk. They knew what they were getting into, but at the same time, it is the U.S. government’s jobs to provide internal security for its own embassies.
This Report is Continued Here: U.S. Embassies & Staff Come Under Attack, PART V: Foreign Policy Fantasy
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Additional information about the author:
Author has long followed global events, and developed military strategy games. While attending a major private University, author initiated a senior project and wrote a research report titled: “International Terrorism: Challenge to U.S. Intelligence.” Net Advisor’s™ bio.
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