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These Are the Questions Mideast Experts Want Congress to Ask on ‘Benghazigate’

Nov. 14, 2012 5:48pm Tiffany Gabbay

The scene at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon) (contrib)

The Center for Security Policy (CSP), a non-profit, non-partisan organization that specializes in identifying policies and actions related to national security, hosted three of the country’s foremost experts Tuesday to discuss sharia law as it relates to U.S. foreign policy, particularly with regards the scandal now known as “Benghazigate.”

During a panel held at Hillsdale College’s Kirby Center in the nation’s capital, author of the new book “Shariah vs. Freedom,” Dr. Andrew Bostom, author Diana West and former duty expert on radical Islam for the Joint Chiefs of Staff Stephen Coughlin, connected the dots between the botched foreign policy of the Obama administration and the terror attack that left a U.S. ambassador, two Navy SEALs and an additional civil servant dead at the hands of al Qaeda militants in Libya.

What’s more, the panelists, along with CSP, have released a series of hard-hitting questions they believe Congress must ask during all upcoming hearings on the Benghazi scandal. Some of these questions are featured below.

In an official press release, Frank Gaffney, founder and president of CSP, noted that in the wake of the 2012 presidential election, with Congress now back to work, “legislators must drill down not simply on the details of what happened during and following the murderous terrorist attack in Benghazi last September.”

“They must examine that event as a microcosm of – and teachable moment concerning – the Obama administration’s pro-Islamist policies that gave rise to it. Getting answers to the questions our panel has posed will do much to shed light on both.”

The ten most pressing questions released by the Center are as follows:

1)      Can the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi be disassociated from the larger failure of American policy towards Libya and the region that has involved engaging Islamists, including the Muslim Brotherhood and even individuals and organizations known to be associated with al Qaeda? For example, hasn’t the U.S. government entered into a relationship with Libya Shield, which fought under the black flag of al Qaeda during the “February 17th revolution.” Libya Shield is led by Wissam bin Hamid, who official sources have identified as a jihadist and veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and possibly the leader of al Qaeda in Libya. Yet, this man met with U.S. diplomats on September 9, voiced his support for MB candidate running for PM in Libya and threatened to withdraw security from US if the candidate he said the US backed won. Who authorized this meeting and this relationship? The same should be asked about February 17^th Martyrs Brigade, from which Ansar al Sharia is said to have spun off.

2)      Were jihad, anti-infidel, pro-shariah factors taken into consideration in formulating U.S. policy on Libya and the so-called Arab Spring more generally? Why not? How would such factors have shaped the policy differently?

3)      Who came up with the idea of blaming an anti-Mohammed video for the attack in Benghazi when it was clear from Day 1 at State and the Tripoli CIA station and by Day 3 at the FBI (after it interviewed survivors) that there was no protest, period?

4)      Who coordinated the dissemination of this false narrative, notably to the President, UN Ambassador Susan Rice, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CIA Director Petraeus and White House spokesman Jay Carney?

5)      Who drafted the President’s September 25th address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in which he cited the video six times and declared, “The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam”?

6)      Who called the deflection operation off, and when? Is it coincidental that that seemed to occur after the UNGA speech, which stands as the closing bookend to the video-narrative that the White House and, as others dropped out, Obama alone pressed for two full weeksafter the attack.

7)      Meanwhile, why did the CIA and other intelligence agencies ignore a seemingly more significant video – Ayman al-Zawaheri’s video exhorting Libyans to take revenge for the U.S. killing of Libyan al Qaeda leader Yahya al Libi that was posted online on September 9 and September 10? Spokesmen such as George Little at Pentagon have explicitly stated there was no prior warning about Benghazi. Doesn’t a 9/11 anniversary video from the head of AQ exhorting Libyans to fight Americans count as a warning?

8)      Did President Obama order the U.S. military not to come to the aid of Americans under attack on 11 September 2012? Mr. Obama told a local Colorado TV reporter that he made his priorities clear “the minute I found out what was happening.” He continued: “Number one, make sure that we are securing our personnel and doing whatever we need to.” Did Obama issue such a directive, written or oral? If so, was it carried out? If not, why did the president lie to the reporter?

9)    “White House Counterterrorism Advisor John Brennan reportedly was aware that there was a relationship [between General David Petraeus and Paula Broadwell] as early as the summer of 2011.” Yet, myriad published reports indicate that only a small number of individuals in the FBI and Department of Justice, including Attorney General Eric Holder, were privy to the investigation into this affair. Which is it? And, either way, was the President actually kept in the dark until after the election?

10) The CIA’s Benghazi station was reportedly engaged in a covert operation aimed at helping an international effort to arm the so-called “Syrian opposition” by shipping weapons recovered from “liberated” Qaddafi-era caches. If, as the New York Times has reported, the bulk of the armaments being sent to the “rebels” in Syria by Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are winding up in the hands of the most radical Islamist elements, some supplied by us are likely reaching al Qaeda operatives, as well. Has the Obama administration been secretly arming Syria’s opposition, including al Qaeda and/or other radical Islamists?

Whether members of Congress actually ask any of the questions above remains to be seen, but in light of what appears to be a smear campaign conveniently timed both to distract attention away from the president’s role in the Benghazi terror attack while simultaneously discrediting General David Petraeus prior to his testimony, it seems more vital than ever that tough questions be asked and, more pointedly, answered.

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Comments (28)

TopAssistant
Posted on November 30, 2012 at 1:46pm
Who said this, to whom, when and why? Would you consider this statement to be contrary to our Constitution and our way of life?
“The Ambassador answered us that it was founded on the Laws of their prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every musselman [muslim] who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.”

This statement was a part of a March 28, 1786, letter from John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, the United States Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Continental Congress, concerning their conversation with the Tripoli ambassador as to why his pirates/terrorists hijacked our merchant ships, stole the ships and cargo while holding the sailors for ransom. (Thomas Jefferson: “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson.” Princeton Univ. Press. pp. 9:358.)
The actual letter has been photocopied and it is here:
http://memory.loc.gov/master/mss/mtj/mtj1/005/0400/0430.jpg
The typed version is here:
http://freepages.misc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~argyll/From%20JOHN%20ADAMS%20And%20THOMAS%20JEFFERSON.pdf

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Gup20
Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:39am
I like question #10 the best. I think it is the most pertinent.

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Anamah
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:35pm
F.G. is so right! With this net of liars and even professional tricksters committed to ruin our country it will be better for everybody who loves America to awake and stop this madness.

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- RobKraft
  Posted on November 15, 2012 at 6:03am
  I woud e verysurprised if this investigation leads to the truth or any harm of the administration. Read fresh political commentary at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
  
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marybethelizabeth
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:25pm
All you Keys and other reactionaries.

Which figure in the picture has the mortar launcher?

There was no false narrative. There are just people lying to you pretending they know something they do not.

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Gregb
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:23pm
obama and his friends the muslim brotherhood are going to be taking a back seat to the fact that Israel is now starting to defend itself…fervently

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Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:47pm
The King is untouchable. Let’s keep the senate around to give the people a vestige of a republic and placate them with bread and circus.

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TRILO
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:38pm
What is the old lawyers adage,”Don’t ask a question you do not already know the answer too?” Congress is useless. I’m still waiting for them to subpoena the missing ATF agent who skipped the country.

The hearing will be nothing but a dog and pony show with no insult intended to dogs and ponies.

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- wolfinshdo
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:35pm
  I think you give them to much credit. I don’t think it will even GET to the “dog and pony” stage. I believe they will drag it out till it quietly goes away with the help of the MSM.
  
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intercepter
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:36pm
we will never know anything other then what their favorite song is ,its hard to believe those soulless bass-turds didn’t get put out to the curb

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momprayn
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:28pm
Agree with most that know the outcome — nothing will be done. We all have to accept that they are all protected from any indictment/prosecution. Ask away — all Kabuki.
NOTHING will get done until and IF we are still here and have elections in 2014 and by some miraculous intervention fix the fraudulent rigged voting machines, get some real patriots in the Senate (along with the House). THEN, if more miracles happen, and even though they are threatened/blackmailed, they will vote for amendments/defunding of Obamacare, impeachment – and survive until 2016 to finally get a patriot, Consv. as President to be restored. Pray on !!!!

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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:50pm
  and on top of that…..the republicans would have to nominate someone good
  
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- therealconservative
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:09pm
  @soysauce
  
  We did, but you and the other Paul “Followers” were more interested in getting Obama re-elected.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:32pm
  All of Gary Johnson votes going to Mitt Romney would not have won him a single state. Liberals are not the only ones who cling to excuses….
  
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- therealconservative
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:45pm
  @soysauce
  
  ” Liberals are not the only ones who cling to excuses….”
  
  Your correct, just like you and your fellow RP “Followers”, i.e. primary/convention.
  
  Report this comment
ginjit.dw
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:27pm
If they can they will stonewall for 4 years. These people will fall on the sword for potus – prevaricator of the united states… These people in congress can’t get a valid birth certificate, how are they gonna get the truth about Benghazi……

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Red Meat
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:17pm
This will go away like F&F. Glorious Leader will win this one with the assistance of the MSM. Then the ignorant will wonder who’s on American Idol this week. Status quo comrades.
Bank on it.

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dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:08pm
i’m not holding my breath for any truth to come out.

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nesmond
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:07pm
I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for answers if I were you.

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soybomb315_II
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:04pm
The real question you should be asking your republican congressman and senator is why they voted to give McConnell and Boehner 2 more years!!!

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- DadRocked
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:13pm
  Well, you got me there… I don’t get it at all either…
  
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- justangry
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:40pm
  I’d like to know why the GOP that voted overwhelmingly in support of our intervention in Libya are now pointing the finger at the other guys that wanted to intervene in Libya. I certainly don’t condone the cover up in Benghazi, but they too thought it was a good idea to destabilize the region in the first place.
  
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- therealconservative
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:07pm
  @justbecause
  
  When did Congress vote to support using the military in Libya?
  
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- justangry
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:31pm
  I thought you knew everything. Look it up.
  
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DadRocked
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:04pm
I’m proud that, for the most part that, this is not being swept under the proverbial rug. From those on this site down to the congress level…

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Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 6:02pm
If the world doesn’t end on DECEMBER 21st 2012 ….we are SCREWED………….

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- CatB
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:10pm
  LOL .. pretty sad isn’t it PAPERBOY . when you are cheering for the end of the world .. one way or another .. just dragging it out to go on I fear … oh well .. I intend to keep bugging my Congresspeople .. just for the FUN of it!
  
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Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 5:59pm
I hope Petreus has the guts to get up there, in FRONT OF THE WORLD, and say ” WE ARE WITNESSING THE COMMUNIST OVERTHROW OF OUR DEMOCRACY, anything less and he is barf in my book…….PLEASE HELP US GENERAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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