PrintAugust 2, 2008
Is Zawahiri Worm Food?
CBS News is reporting - with a lot of caveats - that there is a possibility al-Qaeda's #2, Ayman al-Zawahiri, may be criticially injured or dead.
The network obtained a copy of an interecpted letter in Pakistan that pleads for a doctor to come and treat the terrorist:
On the surface, this appears to be legitimately good news. But al-Qaeda is an extremely sophisticated, press savvy organization - despite what the Michael Moore's of the world say about them being ignorant peasants and hiding in caves - and it there is a distinct possibility this is all an effort at disinformation.
Motive? Building the good Egyptian doctor up so that the next time he surfaces he will be seen as invincable. Or, just a litle Psy-Ops directed against our intelligence efforts. There are many reasons al-Qaeda would fake or exaggerate the al-Zawahiri's wounds. Hence, the caution exhibited by our intel people in making any premature claims.
The network obtained a copy of an interecpted letter in Pakistan that pleads for a doctor to come and treat the terrorist:
The letter refers to Sheikh Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri by name - and says that he is in "severe pain" and his "injuries are infected."
It is reportedly written by local Taliban leader, Baitullah Mehsud, whose signature and seal are visible on the letter.
The Taliban logo and the Mehsud's seal have been confirmed by experts as legitimate.
The letter is dated July 29 - one day after a U.S. air strike that killed al Qaeda weapons expert Abu Khabab al-Masri, and five other Arabs in South Waziristan.
U.S. authorities have said they do not have information that al-Zawahiri was present during Monday's strike, or that he was injured.
However, a counter-intelligence expert and other U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News that the U.S. is looking into reports that al-Zawahiri is dead.
On the surface, this appears to be legitimately good news. But al-Qaeda is an extremely sophisticated, press savvy organization - despite what the Michael Moore's of the world say about them being ignorant peasants and hiding in caves - and it there is a distinct possibility this is all an effort at disinformation.
Motive? Building the good Egyptian doctor up so that the next time he surfaces he will be seen as invincable. Or, just a litle Psy-Ops directed against our intelligence efforts. There are many reasons al-Qaeda would fake or exaggerate the al-Zawahiri's wounds. Hence, the caution exhibited by our intel people in making any premature claims.
