May 07, 2006
We're quite late in getting to this story, about the New York Times sticking up for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi after the Pentagon released a captured video of the terrorist. The video showed outakes of a less-than capable Zarqawi having trouble with the weapon he was brandishing.
The release of the captured video reflected the dueling public relations efforts between the American-led forces fighting in Iraq and the terrorists and insurgents. It also reflected increasing interest by the military and civilian strategists in trying to ridicule Mr. Zarqawi.
"In Arab and Muslim societies, pride and shame are felt much more profoundly than they are in Western culture," said J. Michael Waller, a professor at the Institute of World Politics, a graduate school in Washington. "To find video like this that can cut him down to size and discredit him is a real way of fighting terrorism." A paper written by Professor Waller advocating the use of ridicule against the insurgents has been circulating at the Pentagon and among military commanders with experience in Iraq recently, according to several military officers.
But the retired and active officers said the public presentation of the tape did not address elements that were disturbing, rather than amusing: the weapon was probably captured from American soldiers, indicating a tactical victory for the insurgents. And Mr. Zarqawi looked clean and plump.
"I see a guy who is getting a lot of groceries and local support," said Nick Pratt, a Marine Corps veteran and professor of terrorism studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany. "You cannot say he is a bad operator." He added, "People should be careful who they poke fun at."
Of course in the literal sense, the Times is correct. Zarqawi has operated quite capably in Iraq; his terrorists have caused trouble now for years. And he is no doubt an accomplished killer. But that's not the point. The point of the video is to show Zarqawi as a man, as vulnerable, as not perfect, as a propaganda whore, and as someone who is - laughably - constructing his videos with some difficulty. So the Times, in it's attempt to chastize American efforts to laugh at the enemy, has revealed itself as entirely subservient to Zarqawi's message - that he is an unstoppable threat, and justified in his actions, and any attempt to portray him as "just a man" and a beatable foe is misplaced.
In reality, all the Times has done is yet again reveal themselves as the best defense the enemy has.
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