Deadly Libyan Attacks a Direct Affront to Freedom and Democracy
Tuesday’s attacks on U.S. diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt represent a chilling view of a Middle East where weak governments fail to provide security and stability. In Libya, this weakness is demonstrated in the government’s inability to maintain basic order. In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood’s control of the country reflects abiding hostility toward the United States, manifested in the leadership’s unwillingness to provide adequate perimeter security to our embassy. A strong American presence—both in perception and on the ground—is how we maintain our security and protect our public servants.
Islamic fundamentalists and their Jihadist action elements used the creation of an independent film’s negative portrayal of their Prophet as an excuse to go on a murdering rampage. If the Libyan and Egyptian governments desire to demonstrate remorse for these unconscionable attacks on our diplomatic missions, they will not delay in arresting, trying and punishing those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.
Secretary Clinton’s statement this morning is a good start, but the operative question is “what next.” An easy, concrete step would be the Department of State putting the Libyan group Ansar al Sharia on the terrorist watch list and initiating all activities against them commensurate with U.S. military programs. We do not need to wait years for such action, as was the case with the lethal Haqqani network operating out of the tribal areas of Pakistan. Leadership is about acting swiftly to preempt continued attacks on the men and women who represent and defend American interests. One of those interests, frankly, is a robust defense of the freedoms and liberties embodied in our Constitution, from which we draw not only our standing in the world but the prosperity we seek for ourselves.
Concerned Veterans for America expresses our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in service at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. These attacks represent a direct affront to American values, and a challenge to our world standing. The U.S. should respond appropriately to make it clear that we absolutely will not abide violence targeting our citizens. As we’ve said, Secretary Clinton’s comments this morning were a good beginning – especially after a troublingly slow public response from official Washington yesterday and last night.
We hope that our nation’s leaders keep their priorities straight and respond in a manner consistent with our principles to the crisis in Cairo and Benghazi. We face many crises today. Not all of them are as visually compelling as the image of a mob storming another U.S. embassy, or the horrible news that America’s representatives abroad had been murdered. But their implications are no less troubling for our country. These other crises are just as deep-rooted, and just as complex, as the circumstances that led to yesterday’s attacks. The underlying actors and causes of yesterday’s attacks are not new, and should not have been a surprise to our intelligence and diplomatic community. Neither are the other challenges we face. How our government, and this administration, meets this crisis will give us insights to how they will face the other crises on our horizon.
Gary Berntsen is a former CIA officer, an expert on national security, and a member of the Concerned Veterans for America’s organizing committee.
james Belver
Sep 14, 2012 @ 21:45:31
My fear is all the BrotherHood Islamist already here in the uSA. All it will take is for the Protestors to start here and get alittle heavy. Pres.0bama can call marsheall Law and the Government is under his CONTROL and TRy to use Military against “We the People”. We will see by the end of this month and middle of OCt. just my thoughts.
The Oxford Scientist
Sep 14, 2012 @ 15:10:24
Two issues are important here, the First amendent right to free speech and freedom of the press, and the universally recognised responsibility of nations to protect foreign Embassies. We hold both responsibilities dear in this country. For elected officials to apologise because citizens in this country have a right to draw attention to the insanity that Islam represents to many who see their senseless bloodletting to be at odds with the peaceful image our leaders tell us that Islam represents. And, if the peaceful majority cannot keep the so-called tiny minority who profess violence in check, then the violent among them are not in the minority – http://www.theoxfordscientist.com/under-seige.html -
SFC Carole J. Townsend
Sep 14, 2012 @ 13:29:04
What is an appropriate response to one small group’s anger, against another small’s group’s attempts to stir up discord? Is a military response appropriate? Are we Americans, subject to the Constitution, or are we just a bunch of heathens? How many acts of group violence in the United States are met with calls to bomb the city? Why is Israel important to people without a job right here in the USA? My studies of the Bible indicate that Israel is not a place. It is a people. They never had a “place”. They were nomads. We “gave” them a place, but oh, by the way, that “place” actually belonged to some other folks, who now have no “place”. Why don’t we follow the Constitution (freedom of religion), US values (freedom of choice and responsible citizenship), and our “Christian” foundation: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us”?
Bro. Steve Winter
Sep 13, 2012 @ 22:43:42
We should consider the details available at http://www.allahislam.com for more about islam and our current president.
UBUIBIOK
Sep 13, 2012 @ 22:25:35
THE DUMB LEADING THE DUMBER….POTUS is the leader of band, not a president want-a -be. A real x CIA Agent would know that you don’t play politics during an on going mission. And the Hoboken from Great Falls, ” They attacked us once (911) for really ZERO strategic value.” , that 9/11 was not there first attack, In fact it was there second try on the World Trade Center.
Gerald Devereux
Sep 13, 2012 @ 12:55:30
Gary,
I heard you in Great Falls MT & had a chance to ask you to respond to my thoughts that Iran would use a bomb on the USA before Israel. You shot that down, but I wanted to share my thinking with you. I would think that the small land mass of Israel (contamination issues), the fact that Jerusalem is a holy city and the fact that it has a large number of Muslims would mitigate against the use of at least a city destroying nuke. I’m fearful that these people are patient and will wait to wear the USA down internally to the point our will is weak and our guard is down. They attacked us once (911) for really ZERO strategic value. Since they are lunatics, I think it would be hard for them to resist an even greater attack if they had the capability. I’m thinking it would likely come via a ship. Am I the one who is crazy???