Michelle Malkin provides extensive coverage of new questions surrounding another Associated Press employee in the Middle East.

Over the past five months, I have pestered the Associated Press for answers about one of its photographers, Iraq—based Bilal Hussein. As noted here in April, Hussein's photos have raised persistent questions in the blogosphere about his relationship with terrorists in Iraq and whether his photos were/are staged in collusion with the enemy. Military sources informed me then that Hussein had been captured by American forces in a building in Ramadi, Iraq, with a cache of weapons.

AP has maintained complete silence about the case. Until this morning. In a bombshell article filed by Robert Tanner (hat tip: Jim Lynch), we learn some very interesting——and damning details——confirming my initial report.

Anyone interested in understanding why there is such a big gap between the perceptions of US troops in Iraq and the impression created by press reports should read Michelle's entire piece, and not neglect AP's denials, contained in this AP dispatch from Tanner, mentioned an linked above. Bilal Hussein is currently under detention by US forces, and has been forfive months.

Thomas Lifson  9 17 06

Update: speaking of possible AP bias, how about this switcheroo?