Intelligence officials in the U.S. and Britain believe that they are closer to identifying the terrorist who beheaded American journalist James Foley in the grotesque video released by the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS. The U.S. continues to follow a policy against such ransoms, though many have charged that the Obama Administration broke that policy in the controversial trade of five Taliban leaders for Bergdahl in addition to violating federal law. Europe has long rejected the policy and, according to media reports, has sent millions to fill the coffers of ISIS, which then uses the money to fill coffins around the world. France alone paid $13.2 million for four of its citizens and Islamic State is now known to have special kidnapping squads looking for Westerners. While we often discuss the financiers of terror in places like Saudi Arabia, we may have to start to look closer to home in the West.
The man shown in the picture with Foley is believed to be part of the operation to kidnap and ransom Westerners. He is part of a group of at least three British-born ISIS fighters known among former hostages as “The Beatles.” They are believed to include 23-year-old Abdel Majid Abdel Bary(left), who we previously discussed. He is the former rap artist and DJ from London. Bary, who only arrived in Syria last year but has been extolling the murder of nonbelievers since his arrival in what he describes as a type of Islamic paradise. He is the son of Adel Abdul Bary, an Egypt-born terror suspect who is in the U.S. awaiting trial for his alleged role in the 1998 Al Qaeda bombings of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
Bary has given up rap in favor of celebratory picture holding the heads of those who do not accept Islam as he and ISIS understand it.
The two other Beatles are Abu Hussain al-Britani, 20, and Abu Abduallah al-Britani, 23, (no known relation). Hostages describe all three as sadists who would torture hostages with tasers and were so cruel that even the homicidally insane ISIS leaders ordered that they could no longer guard the hostages.
While the world has been repulsed by these stories and scenes, some Muslims are clearly attracted to the movement and its blood-soaked history. Thousands of volunteers have flooded into these areas to join the Islamic State. In one surprising story, there are now twice the number of English muslims fighting for the Islamic State than serving in the English military.
It is not only raw recruits that Islamic State is receiving from the West. The New York Times has reported that “Al Qaeda and its direct affiliates have taken in at least $125 million in revenue from kidnappings since 2008, of which $66 million was paid just last year.”
This creates an obvious market for Westerners who are held and often tortured until Western countries buckle. Thus, France rewarded ISIS with over $13 million for four hostages. It is possible to be religious murderous fanatics and be still rational criminal actors. Obviously, with Westerners bringing in millions, Islamic State will go out and capture more Westerners. Given the past payments, they are likely to be even more vicious if countries do not pay. So we have the bizarre appearance of ISIS militants using captured U.S. weapons and operating off European funds. A true Fellinesque moment in history.
Last week, the CEO of GlobalPost, a media organization where Foley had worked, revealed that ISIS had demanded a ransom of $132 million in exchange for Foley.
Given the ambition of the Islamic State to kill scores of Westerners, the payments by France and other countries is truly breathtaking.
samantha and Nick,
I don’t think I’m being clear, sorry. I do not agree that President Obama, or any future president may lawfully drone kill other people. However, Obama has claimed this right. His lawyer clearly stated this to be the case–anyone, anywhere. The limiting factor was prudential-public opinion. He sited Germany. If Obama were to drone kill a German citizen it would look bad and the German public would be up in arms.
However, the right to kill anyone, anywhere, is a right this president claims for himself. What does it mean that we have a president who thinks this way? What does it say about American citizens who support him?
Nick, torture does not yield valuable intelligence, it yields confessions. In the torture report we see there was no intelligence gained by torturing anyone. I would look up Seton Hall law school. They have done extensive work on the people trapped at Gitmo suffering torture and indefinite detention. You seem to feel that torture and false imprisonment is O.K. in the service of one’s nation. This is an idea you share with people of other nations and religions.
Throwing money at the problem to make it go away. Doesn’t usually work in many business settings and certainly doesn’t work here.
The other big issue is we have stopped doing the hard, but effective work of capture and interrogation. That’s where you get valuable intelligence. It’s messy, and you need Gitmo for that. So, our “tidy” President just blasts them w/ drones, even if they’re US citizens.
Jill, I just don’t see, even this incompetent, lawless, President treading there.
Jill, you asked why are people attracted to killing, then you wonder why we are not drone killing terrorists?
Maybe these terrorists do not see anything wrong with killing, in the same way so many do not see anything wrong with abortion. Maybe you break the cycle of violence by breaking the cycle of abortion first.
By the way, like you, I’m all in favor of going on the offensive. But don’t you think it would be better to just kidnap suspected terrorists in Britain, use them as trading stock?
I think it is very difficult for people to look at their own actions and the actions of one’s own nation. I think we must do so.
Note: As a revolutionary system, Marx’s original ideology is not necessary to Marxism. Any cause can be inserted into the program.
Nick,
Obama’s lawyer said anyone, anywhere. The limiting factor was only public opinion. That’s from the horse’s mouth!
Jill, The Middle East is in the Middle Ages. Do you know the US produces more patents in ONE DAY than that entire region produces in a DECADE! They are ignorant and poor. It always comes down to the 7 Deadly Sins. You can figure out the appropriate ones in this matter.
Jill: “Why are people attracted to those advocating/engaged in murder and torture? I think that is a profound question.”
On a rational level, they offer a simple revolutionary clarity. They are a Marxist revolutionary hybrid. Maximal goals reorder morality. They’re competing for real and making a difference. They are acting to reify a distinct world order. They understand it’s whether you win or lose, not how you play the game because history is written by the victors – by civilization-replacing, genocidal victors most effectively.
They won’t stop for our law or our ethics. They can only be stopped by our competition.
And they don’t kidnap Russians either.
Jill, When US citizens start acting like these folks I’ll be w/ your concerns. Now, we should have the contingent of atheists chiming in soon after they wake up comparing these terrorists to US Christians. But, I don’t think you’re part of that?
Jill, There is an agreement known as The 5 Eyes. It involves the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We do not spy on each other, cooperate w/ each other in military and intelligence operations, and would be in violation of this very important alliance by doing what you suggest.
Michael, President Obama claims the right to drone kill anyone, anywhere in the world whom he considers a terrorist. So, why isn’t he ordering drone strikes in the UK on various members of ISIS. Afterall, he considers them terrorists and as such he feels he has a legal right to kill them. Why isn’t he?
Michael, I agree, evil exists. But I was asking people in the US to reflect on why there are those of us who choose to support and follow a person or group of people who engage in murder and torture. Too many times it is thought that people who do this exist in some other part of the world or in some religion we don’t belong to. In fact, the ability to follow evil people and to commit evil in their name or in the ideology of one’s choice happens everywhere in the world.
It is much more palatable emotionally to ascribe such evil to “the other”. But I think it is more courageous, more difficult and profoundly important to understand how this happens not just in others but in one’s own society. If we would try to understand this, perhaps we can find ways to stop it, in other places and at home.
ISIS, like the Taliban was formerly a partner in crime of the US.
Shouldn’t we be drone killing various ISIS leaders in the U.K.? If not, why not?
Why are people attracted to those advocating/engaged in murder and torture? I think that is a profound question. It does not apply only to those who follow terrorists leaders in other nations, it applies to many in our own population.
What is it that allows people to ignore cruelty or to engage in it? Wanting to be allied w/power. Wanting to feel powerful. Belief in a cause or person. These are some answers but only some.
Jill, who is “we”? Are you suggesting that the US kill British nationals in their homeland?
You ask why people are attracted to murder and torture. Evil exists, and evil people are attracted to a belief system (islam) that has no moral foundation, no sense of right or wrong, and in fact “rewards” the doing of evil. Read their book and then find the part where their god loves you and wants you to be happy.
samantha – I agree with your premise, but they keep demanding the Taliban leaders back, not Muslim civilians. The last 5 Big for 1 Little was the worst trade ever. No wonder Obama never got into business. He would be bankrupted in a week.
The ransom money would be better spent hiring Shiite mercenaries to infiltrate Sunni terrorists. I mean, if Israel is successful getting Palestinians to inform on Palestinians, surely it’s far more likely to get Shiites to inform on Sunnis. Should be as easy as getting a Baptist to go after a Catholic.
Alternatively, Westerners could start kidnapping Sunnis, using them for prisoner swaps. I mean, when someone plays hardball, you don’t play softball.
Jews would be prized ransom targets but no one bothers to kidnap Jews because Israel only plays hard ball.
Haz, It’s difficult for people to get their head around the concept that paying ransom is the absolutely wrong thing to do. When I worked in @ Leavenworth we were all told that and when explained, we understood. But, it is tough. We don’t have a tough leader. I’m reading more about this reporter from Massachusetts who was released. Qatar, who did the Bergdahl deal, brokered this one. I’m getting more sure we paid. God help every US citizen in harms way. They all have dollar signs on their backs.
Just say no. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but saying no to ransom demands is the best way to end ransom demands. And westerners not employed by western governments who knowingly go into areas where ISIS is active do so at their own risk. How many Americans are in Baghdad now? Too many. Unless Obama is going to fully commit the forces necessary to protect all of them against ISIS, all should be evacuated.
Hopefully there is good reporting on this US reporter released from Syria. My take is Valerie Jarrett told Obama between rounds of golf that he can’t have more beheadings, it’s a bad visual. CNN did a report yesterday that there are hardly any reporters in Syria because they are being all kidnapped. Once you start paying, NO ONE is safe. Europeans have been paying for awhile. They had paid for reporters in Colombia, putting all foreign reporters @ risk there. ISIS saw the Bergdahl fiasco and saw they had a weak chump, just like Putin saw w/ Crimea. We are screwed folks, This isn’t political spin. Once you start paying, NO ONE is safe, and that money is used to kill more people.