News & Opinion on Terrorism & Strategic Communication — September 11, 2007

“Economic Jihad” Emerges as Islamist Goal. “In this permutation, jihad is perceived as being aimed primarily at undermining the Western economy, particularly the U.S. economy, with the ultimate goal of bringing about the total collapse of the West.” (MEMRI 9/10)

More Osama Show…

Osama bin Trotsky? “The (now) black-bearded high commander of al Qaeda was still quoting from holy texts and talking at a Caliphate level, to be sure, but stunningly, he was also reciting recycled neo-Marxism of the kind usually generated at Berkeley, Columbia or the web sites of the anarchic and post-Soviet internationalists.” (CT Blog, 9/10).

Da’wa in bin Laden Speech Overlooked. “The invitation to Islam is the heart, and the most revealing aspect, of bin Laden’s entire statement. The chief reason for this, of course, is because in traditional Islamic law, the invitation to Islam must precede an attack on non-Muslims.” (Frontpage Magazine, 9/10).

AQ Alive and Well. “Six years on, the notion of al-Qaeda being on the run appears outdated and misguided. Instead, the group has adapted and looks resurgent on many fronts.” (BBC, 9/11)

Also…

U.S. Intel Agencies More Networked than Ever. “Six years after the fall of the World Trade Center towers, formerly independent law agencies have formed a cross-linked, information-sharing American substrata.” (San Francisco Chronicle, 9/10).

Saudi Feminists: Let Us Drive. “On September 4, 2007, the liberal Arab website Aafaq published a statement from the newly established League of Demanders of Women’s Right to Drive Cars in Saudi Arabia, asking women to sign a message demanding that women be given the right to drive.” (MEMRI 9/10).