Islamic State video purports to show beheading of U.S. journ

[tater1977]

Islamic State video purports to show beheading of U.S. journalist

http://news.yahoo.com/islamic-state-say ... 07463.html

By Alexander Dziadosz and Michael Georgy

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Islamic State insurgents posted a video on Tuesday purportedly showing the beheading of U.S. journalist James Foley and images of another U.S. journalist whose life they said depended on how the United States acts in Iraq.

The video, titled "A Message To America," presented President Barack Obama with bleak options that could define America’s next phase of involvement in Iraq and the public reaction to it, potentially deepening his hand in a conflict he built much of his presidency on ending.

Obama held back from making a public statement about the beheading until the video could be formally authenticated.

"If genuine, we are appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American journalist and we express our deepest condolences to his family and friends," White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.

The video's grisly message was unambiguous, warning of greater retaliation to come against Americans following nearly two weeks of U.S. air strikes that have pounded militant positions and halted the advance of Islamic State, which until this month had captured a third of Iraq with little resistance.

Posted on social media, the video brought a chilling and highly personal tone to a conflict that for many Americans had started to become all too familiar.

Foley, 40, was kidnapped by armed men on Nov. 22, 2012, in northern Syria while on his way to the Turkish border, according to GlobalPost, a Boston-based online publication where Foley had worked as a freelancer. He had reported in the Middle East for five years and had been kidnapped and released in Libya.

Steven Sotloff, who appeared at the end of the video, went missing in northern Syria while reporting in July 2013. He has written for TIME among other news organizations.

The video injected an unpredictable element into Obama’s deliberations on how far to proceed with U.S. air strikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq, though aides said his vow not to put U.S. combat forces on the ground in Iraq still held.

On a Facebook page for Foley, a message from his mother Diane Foley said: "We have never been prouder of our son Jim. He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people.

"We implore the kidnappers to spare the lives of the remaining hostages. Like Jim, they are innocents. They have no control over American government policy in Iraq, Syria or anywhere in the world."

Islamic State had not previously executed American citizens publicly. The video was posted after the United States resumed air strikes in Iraq this month for the first time since the end of the U.S. occupation in 2011.

HOSTAGE HISTORY

Hostage crises have plagued U.S. presidents over the years.

Jimmy Carter’s presidency sagged under the weight of the Iran hostage crisis when Americans were held captive for 444 days. Ronald Reagan’s bid to get American hostages freed from Lebanon led to an arms-for-hostages Iran-Contra scandal that plagued his second term.


University of Virginia political scholar Larry Sabato said the current situation was more akin to the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl by al Qaeda leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in 2002. He said it could help bolster what appeared to be a growing perception among Americans that the United States will have to be more aggressive in dealing with Islamic State militants.

A USA Today/Pew Research Center poll this week showed Americans by 44 percent to 41 percent saying Washington had a responsibility to "do something" about the violence, a shift from last month when 55 percent to 39 percent saw no U.S. responsibility.

"WE ARE AN ISLAMIC ARMY"

The Sunni militant group, which has declared a caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria in areas it controls, opened the video with a clip of Obama saying he had authorized strikes in Iraq.

The words "Obama authorizes military operations against the Islamic State effectively placing America upon a slippery slope towards a new war front against Muslims" appeared in English and Arabic on the screen.

It showed black and white aerial footage of air strikes with text saying "American aggression against the Islamic State".

A man identified as James Foley, his head shaven and dressed in an orange outfit similar to uniforms worn by prisoners at the U.S. military detention camp in Guantánamo, Cuba, is seen kneeling in the desert next to a man standing, holding a knife and clad head to toe in black.

"I call on my friends, family and loved ones to rise up against my real killers, the U.S. government, for what will happen to me is only a result of their complacency and criminality," the kneeling man says.

The man next to him, in a black mask, speaks in a British accent and says, "This is James Wright Foley, an American citizen, of your country. As a government, you have been at the forefront of the aggression towards the Islamic State."

"Today your military air force is attacking us daily in Iraq. Your strikes have caused casualties amongst Muslims. You are no longer fighting an insurgency. We are an Islamic army, and a state that has been accepted by a large number of Muslims worldwide."


Following his statement he beheads the kneeling man. At the end of the video, words on the side of the screen say, "Steven Joel Sotloff", as another prisoner in an orange jumpsuit is shown on screen. "The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision," the masked man says.

Syria has been the most dangerous country for journalists for more than two years. At least 69 other journalists have been killed covering the conflict there, including some who died over the border in Lebanon and Turkey. More than 80 journalists have been kidnapped in Syria; with frequent abductions, some of which go unpublicised, it is difficult to know exactly how many.

The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists estimates that approximately 20 journalists, both local and international, are currently missing in Syria. Many of them are believed to be held by Islamic State.

'CRUSADER' AMERICA

Islamic State also released a video on Tuesday that gave the strongest indication yet it might try to strike American targets. The video with the theme "breaking of the American cross" boasts Islamic State will emerge victorious over "crusader" America.

It followed a video posted on Monday, warning of attacks on American targets if Washington strikes against its fighters in Iraq and Syria.

Islamic State's sweep through northern Iraq, bringing it close to Baghdad and in control of the second city, Mosul, drew U.S. air strikes that helped Kurdish peshmerga fighters regain some territory captured by the Sunni militants.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iraqi forces halted a short-lived offensive on Tuesday to recapture Tikrit, home town of executed dictator Saddam Hussein, due to fierce resistance from Islamic State fighters.

Buoyed by an operation to recapture a strategic dam from the militants after two months of setbacks, Iraqi army units backed by Shi'ite militias launched their offensive shortly after dawn on Tikrit, a city 130 km (80 miles) north of Baghdad which is a stronghold of the Sunni Muslim minority.

But officers in the Iraqi forces' operations room said by mid-afternoon that the advance had stopped.

Islamic State has concentrated on taking territory for its self-proclaimed caliphate both in Syria, where it is also fighting the forces of President Bashar al-Assad, and in Iraq.

Coinciding with the Kurdish advances, Damascus government forces have stepped up air strikes on Islamic State positions in and around the city of Raqqa – its stronghold in eastern Syria.

Analysts believe Assad - who is firmly in control in the capital more than three years into the civil war - is seizing the moment to show his potential value to Western states that backed the uprising against him but are now increasingly concerned by the Islamic State threat.

Islamic State added new fighters in Syria at a record rate in July, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict. About 6,300 men – 80 percent of them Syrian and the rest foreigners – joined last month, Rami Abdelrahman, founder of the Observatory, told Reuters.

(Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Edgartown, Mass., Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, and Oliver Holmes and Tom Perry in Beirut; Writing by Jim Loney and Jason Szep; Editing by Howard Goller)

[JBlake]

Like I said before in the Obama thread, I'd happily drive an electric car, hell even walk, if we nuke that oil rich piece of shitland into oblivion. As long as these individuals are alive, the world is going to have this problem with them. Simple as that. The world will need to deal with them sooner or later and that is a guarantee. I think it's best to just eliminate the whole fucking area once and for all ASAP. I'm tired of the bullshit. And the Libs and Dems want to force American's to give up their right to own guns? Yeah, the international terrorists love that, just as much as the domestic terrorists as well.

[JBlake]

IRAQ CRISIS
1h
US official: Fighter jets, drones conducted 'nearly a dozen' airstrikes in Iraq since Tuesday near Mosul Dam - @AP

Following his statement he beheads the kneeling man. At the end of the video, words on the side of the screen say, "Steven Joel Sotloff", as another prisoner in an orange jumpsuit is shown on screen. "The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision," the masked man says.

Looks like berry just sealed the fate of the other "journalist".

These guys should have been aware what possibilities could be waiting for them when they stepped onto the plane. Right or wrong, they all should have known. As for "Berry", got to wonder if him releasing the five top brass terrorists had any play in what is going on over there. Even if these five were not even in the area, releasing them had to be a huge moral boost for terrorists world-wide.

[Hollywood]

IRAQ CRISIS
1h
US official: Fighter jets, drones conducted 'nearly a dozen' airstrikes in Iraq since Tuesday near Mosul Dam - @AP

Following his statement he beheads the kneeling man. At the end of the video, words on the side of the screen say, "Steven Joel Sotloff", as another prisoner in an orange jumpsuit is shown on screen. "The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision," the masked man says.

Looks like berry just sealed the fate of the other "journalist".

Should the US back down and allow ISIS free reign over the region to potentially save the life of this one journalist?

[Hollywood]

IRAQ CRISIS
1h
US official: Fighter jets, drones conducted 'nearly a dozen' airstrikes in Iraq since Tuesday near Mosul Dam - @AP

Following his statement he beheads the kneeling man. At the end of the video, words on the side of the screen say, "Steven Joel Sotloff", as another prisoner in an orange jumpsuit is shown on screen. "The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision," the masked man says.

Looks like berry just sealed the fate of the other "journalist".

These guys should have been aware what possibilities could be waiting for them when they stepped onto the plane. Right or wrong, they all should have known. As for "Berry", got to wonder if him releasing the five top brass terrorists had any play in what is going on over there. Even if these five were not even in the area, releasing them had to be a huge moral boost for terrorists world-wide.

Those five are still in custody in Yemen and will be for a while.

[ebake02]

We need to go old school and napalm the bastards.

[RPM]

This was done as it seems isis doesn't like being hit from a stronger enemy from the Air....
in response we should hit them harder. Sadly we have a president without any balls, and Hillary
hasn't even been elected yet.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Sadly we have a president without any balls...

Let's see...Afghanistan...Libya...Syria...saber-rattling w/ Russia...into drone attacks on civilian targets. Yeh, you're right, this President is such a total pussy. Maybe you would prefer Dr. Strangelove for President? Come to think of it, if McCain had won in '08, that description actually wouldn't be that far off.

[Boomchild]

Sabre rattling with Russia my ass. Putin pissed all over Obama, as did Syria. All he showed was his weak ass to the world. Putin has been doing as he damn pleases with Ukraine. Ukraine has done far more to Russians then Obama. Maybe Obama will get tough and draw another red line.

Speaking of Syria, what's the status on those chemical weapons that were to be handed over and destroyed? I haven't heard updates in the press on that one.

[Boomchild]

Should the US back down and allow ISIS free reign over the region to potentially save the life of this one journalist?

Our government should never give into threats from terrorists. That being said, I don't feel we should be involved with this situation in Iraq or Syria. Iraq needs to stand on their own or they never will. They have been given training and equipment to effectively do so. What our military can't give them is courage and determination needed to protect and defend their country. They have to do it on their own. If we go back in then the only way to keep things in check would be for the U.S. to essentially occupy Iraq. That would only make the tensions worse in that area of the world. An interesting note I heard on CBS news was that ISIS is a much larger organization then al-Qaeda ever was. So much for B.O.'s claims that terrorists have been beaten back and unable to effectively operate. Also blows the notion that the world is a more peaceful place. Just another mirage touted by the leader of the U.S..

[The_Noble_Cause]

Sabre rattling with Russia my ass. Putin pissed all over Obama, as did Syria. All he showed was his weak ass to the world.

Sanctions, which the US has convinced the EU to go along with, are an act of war. Accusing Russia of direct involvement in shooting down a civilian aircraft is also a bellicose act. It's pretty obvious what's going on here.

[ebake02]

We need to go old school and napalm the bastards.

Sandusky was still a world class perv.

That's two things we agree on.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Absolutely the dumbest post you've ever made. Everything you just mentioned is most probably FUBAR until berry leaves office.

Yep. I'm sure President Chris Christie will wave a magic wand and Russia will give up Crimea and all of the Middle Eastern radicals will adopt mainline Christianity. You set a new record for online stupidity on a daily basis.

[ebake02]

As much as I hate to say it but I'm starting to think that boots on the ground is the only way stop these terrorists. We can't do it alone though, it needs to be a huge coalition like Lybia and the Gulf War in the early 90s.

[Boomchild]

As much as I hate to say it but I'm starting to think that boots on the ground is the only way stop these terrorists. We can't do it alone though, it needs to be a huge coalition like Lybia and the Gulf War in the early 90s.

We've put "boots on the ground" there before and what did it accomplish? They way I see it absolutely nothing. Just a break till another radical faction steps in. The only solution is for their citizens and their military to take care of it themselves. Otherwise this "boots on the ground" thing will just be merry go round. That is unless you go for indefinite occupation.

[steveo777]

With surgical precision, bomb and kill these fucks on an hourly basis. Find them and kill them all. Sorry, but there will be collateral damage and there will be innocent civilian casualties. That is the price of waging war on the world and subscribing to an insane ideology. The extreme ISLAMIC State must be destroyed. Maybe someday they will tire of it and will be able to aspire to a different, non-radical ideology. {chuckles to myself.......yeah right!} Kill them off and spare the rest of the world. They serve no place on this planet and nothing good will ever come of their existence.

Problem is, we have the wrong president for this job, a suspected closet Muslim and an obvious Muslim sympathizer/apologist, with cabinet members tied to the Muslim brotherhood. Isn't this America.........how fucked up is that?

[RPM]

With surgical precision, bomb and kill these fucks on an hourly basis. Find them and kill them all. Sorry, but there will be collateral damage and there will be innocent civilian casualties. That is the price of waging war on the world and subscribing to an insane ideology. The extreme ISLAMIC State must be destroyed. Maybe someday they will tire of it and will be able to aspire to a different, non-radical ideology. {chuckles to myself.......yeah right!} Kill them off and spare the rest of the world. They serve no place on this planet and nothing good will ever come of their existence.

Problem is, we have the wrong president for this job, a suspected closet Muslim and an obvious Muslim sympathizer/apologist, with cabinet members tied to the Muslim brotherhood. Isn't this America.........how fucked up is that?

I agree 100% .

[Boomchild]

With surgical precision, bomb and kill these fucks on an hourly basis. Find them and kill them all. Sorry, but there will be collateral damage and there will be innocent civilian casualties.

We've been doing this "surgical strike" approach. Maybe not on an hourly basis. Doesn't seem to change much. We are trying conventional tactics on a non conventional enemy. I think our military has a hard time figuring out just who the bad guys are. They don't dress in military uniforms and blend in to their surroundings. What we should be doing is pressuring our so called allies in that region to put forth a united effort to rid their region of these radicals. Or is that just maybe there is more support for this radical type thinking in that region then what is seen on the surface.

Problem is, we have the wrong president for this job, a suspected closet Muslim and an obvious Muslim sympathizer/apologist, with cabinet members tied to the Muslim brotherhood. Isn't this America.........how fucked up is that?

You also have the issue that it seems his decisions on foreign affairs is weighed against how it will effect the approval of him and his administration.