As President Bush wraps up his weeklong trip to Africa today, there is some discussion as whether he has been given due credit for his strong commitment to the people of the region during his tenure. Under President Bush, the United States has developed extensive progams and initiatives for Africa to address the issues of education, poverty, human rights, democracy, economic development, and health concerns such as the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other treatable diseases.
Jim Long (aka newmediajim), conducted a fascinating impromptu mobile video interview with Irish musician and political activist Sir Bob Geldof, of “We Are the World,” Band Aid, World Aid and The ONE Campaign fame. He has also teamed up with friend and U2 frontman, Bono, in many of these and other global charity endeavors.
Al-Qaida is reaching out and soliciting questions online – approximately 900, but no answers as of yet. According to Lee Keath, Associated Press:
Sympathizers submitted hundreds of questions to al-Qaida deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri’s “on-line interview” before a recent deadline. Among them: Why hasn’t al-Qaida attacked the U.S. again, why isn’t it attacking the Israelis and when will it be more active in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria? So far, there have been no answers.
Al-Qaida’s use of the Internet is nothing new. In fact, Islamic militant websites have been a primary source of communication due to the aggressive and effective allied efforts to break up terrorist cells and thwart their violent activites.
From the tone of the questions, it appears as if supporters are confused, disorganized, worried about al-Qaida’s future and sense that the end of the terror network is nearing – thankfully!
One thing is clear from the questions: Self-proclaimed al-Qaida supporters are as much in the dark about the terror network’s operations and intentions as Western analysts and intelligence agencies.
Some of those posting questions sound worried: Does al-Qaida have a long-term strategy?
