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Hesham Islam is the aide to Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England who rocketed to fame in the recent Stephen Coughlin imbroglio. "Pentagon Aide's Invitations Contradicted U.S. Policy," by Steven Emerson for IPT News (thanks to Kemaste):
At the urging of a subordinate, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England scheduled at least two meetings with foreign emissaries in direct contradiction of U.S. policy at the time. The meetings date back to 2005. They involved a Lebanese ambassador considered a proxy for the Syrian government and a leading member of Syria's Muslim Brotherhood.U.S. policy at the time was not to engage in talks with either man, because they represent groups with whom the United States was not to communicate. The meetings were organized by England's special assistant for international affairs, Hesham Islam.
An invitation to Muslim Brotherhood official Husam al-Dairi was canceled in late 2005 after a senior State Department official heard about it and insisted it not take place. That official, J. Scott Carpenter, told IPT News he was shocked that such an invitation was issued, let alone that it was done without anyone consulting the State Department.
Carpenter was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs at the time and knew the meeting went against U.S. policy toward the Muslim Brotherhood.
"I said, ‘what are you talking about?'" he remembered in an interview last week. "It was a bad idea."
Without due deliberation, it is easy to send the wrong message "broad and near," Carpenter said. "If something like that were to come up and be blindsided … it's not just a procedural foul up. It could unwittingly create bigger problems for the United States government."
"When you have somebody who has a controversial background," Carpenter added, "you don't want to give the impression that the United States government is standing behind them."
Two discussions should have taken place, he said. One would debate whether the meeting should take place at all. If it was agreed it should, the next question should determine the level of government appropriate to meet someone from the Brotherhood. Deputy Defense Secretary is far too high, Carpenter said.
After Carpenter relayed his concerns to England's office, a staff member called back. She told him it would be "a huge hassle to postpone it" and if that happened, England's office would make it clear this was the result of the State Department "putting its foot down and [saying] the meeting should not take place."
Carpenter said that was fine by him. The episode, including the serendipitous way he learned about it, made him wonder whether other meetings like that took place without State Department consultation, he said.
"When the United States is meeting with dissidents, it is important to know who those dissidents are and what message we send by meeting with them. It is incredibly important that the wrong signal not be sent," Carpenter said.
Indeed. Read it all.
Posted by Robert at February 6, 2008 1:51 PM
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Now that many details of Hesham Islam's life have been revealed as lies (the Department of Defense website reacted by quickly taking down any information about him), now that his conducting, with that man whom he smilingly leads by the nose, Gordon England, of policies in direct violation of the stated policies of the American government, now that everyone and his brother -- save possibly for the egregious England, no doubt indignant and splutteringly defensive at the same time (you don't really think he is capable of coming to his senses, do you, and admitting he was badly mislead and badly misinformed?)-- has got Hesham Islam's number, I as a taxpayer have a question:
Are my tax dollars doing to help pay a salary, an inflated Pentagon salary or any salary at all, of one Hesham Islam? Because if so, I want a refund, and I want that salary paid out of the personal funds of Gordon England, and all the assorted gordon-englands of this world. American taxpayers' money should not continued to be squandered so idiotically in this way.
Stop it. Or Congressmen, properly alerted and informed, will at long last come after you, and pull you all up, root and credulous branch.
Posted by: Hugh![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 6, 2008 2:01 PM
"I want that salary paid out of the personal funds of Gordon England"
I don't want any of our officials conscripting or consorting with individuals with ties to "unfriendlies".
"and if that happened, England's office would make it clear this was the result of the State Department 'putting its foot down and [saying] the meeting should not take place.'"
What a juvenile tantrum of a retort! And my taxes pay the salary of this bewitched imbecile?
at February 6, 2008 2:23 PM
It looks like England is another moron who has fallen for Muslim sweet talk.
Posted by: Ruebacca at February 6, 2008 2:31 PM
I totally agree, Hugh ~ I want my money back. Every freakin' dime.
Posted by: undaunted at February 6, 2008 2:31 PM
OT
Headless body found in North London.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=512629&in_page_id=1770
Lets see how quickly this story gets buried to guage the involvement of mohamadans!
Posted by: km
at February 6, 2008 2:35 PM
km; are you suggesting a Muslim nexus to the crimes?
Posted by: undaunted at February 6, 2008 3:10 PM
Why do Msrs. Islam and England still have their jobs.........?
Posted by: n.a. palm at February 6, 2008 3:17 PM
km,
Let's not jump to any rash conclusions just yet. Perhaps Connor MacLeod is in town,preparing for the upcoming "Gathering." There can only be one.
Posted by: We need G.C. Scott at February 6, 2008 3:18 PM
According to the editorial statement released yesterday by U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) (bold added for emphasis):
"I met with Members of the House and Senate, Pentagon officials, and even Major Coughlin himself.
Major Coughlin told me that he has had a great working relationship with the Joint Staff and that he did not believe there was any conspiracy to remove him from his position. In fact, he was already planning to leave the Joint Staff at the end of his contract. Lest the rumors persist, Major Coughlin will be associated with another office program within the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he will continue to spread his message.
Based on these discussions and the information that I uncovered, specifically from Major Coughlin, I found no evidence that there was a conspiracy to silence the messenger."
Representative myrick goes on to state:
"I know that some people will refuse to admit there is a subversive movement going on here, but let me remind you that we have underestimated the will and capability of our enemy for more than 30 years. They are patient and determined to achieve their radical agenda.
Anyone following this summer’s Holy Land Foundation trial in Dallas, Texas knows this as fact. Among the documents and recordings produced was “Government Exhibit 003-0085.” This memorandum explains the “Civilization-Jihadist Process” strategy of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States. In it, they describe their work in America as a path to “eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within…so that it is eliminated and God’s religion is made victorious over all other religions”."
Stand-by for possible reactions to the above from from Bill Gertz and Claudia Rosett.
Posted by: Sean Osborne at February 6, 2008 3:23 PM
"Are my tax dollars doing to help pay a salary, an inflated Pentagon salary or any salary at all, of one Hesham Islam?"
Not only yes your dollars are going to pay that freak, but heck yes!
I read this book called, 'Infiltration', a couple of years ago and they stated this stuff going on after 9/11 was happening all the time. And to boot - the Jews who knew many ME languages were not hired because it 'offended' the muslims that worked there - who demanded their own bathroom (gee, they are bringing back segregation?!!!) and other muslim demands. These muslims were interpreters, that I remember from the above mentioned book. Interpreters. Interpreting docs from muslims - stated jihadists. These muslims who claim to be 'moderate'.
The stupidity of our government knows no bounds. To apply - make sure you have a single digit IQ.
at February 6, 2008 3:25 PM
In addition to Steve Emerson's IPT article, I wrote the following yesterday:
For all of us who maintain that the Pentagon (our "Citadel") has been infiltrated by the Islamist enemy - this NEINblog entry is for you. And allow me to add, bad English grammar notwithstanding, you ain't seen nuthin' yet!
Having done the requisite background research, I have just taken the liberty of embedding within the article below by Steve Emerson a link to the March 12, 2007 Weekly Standard article by David Schenker. Also included is a link to a March 16, 2006 report from The Epoch Times in which Husam al-Dairi is a prominent figure.
What we have here is proof that US Navy CDR (Ret.) Hesham Islam is a major driving force behind efforts to have Deputy SECDEF Gordon England meet with a senior representative of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood as well as Syria's pro-Hezbollah, proxy Ambassador from Lebanon in direct contravention to the established policy of the government of the United States of America. However, Hesham Islam is not alone in such dealings.
Additionally, here is a link to a report dated November 6, 2006 regarding Husam al-Dairi, wearing the hat of a senior representative of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood front group - the National Salvation Front in Syria (NSF) - having met with U.S. National Security Council officals in August 2006 regarding the establishment of an NSF office in Washinton, D.C. This report cites an October 26, 2006 report in the Arabic-language Levant News stating that: "the NSC officials said that the White House welcomes the opening of the NSF office in DC." It also includes a link to a New York Sun report on the same subject, and is a MUST READ in its own right being demonstrative of the larger issue of the current Bush Administration dealings with Islamists and terrorists (i.e.: the enemy). Hesham Islam, being so well connected to these Muslim Brotherhood and Syrian government terrorist proxies, was blazing the trail in 2005 for meetings with the same terrorist entities that the National Security Council would host.
at February 6, 2008 3:29 PM
km - (OT)
Is North - West London one of those famously non-existant "no go" areas in the UK I've read about? You know what I mean. An area of London largely inhabited by a small majority or large minority of folk who are not Protestant or Catholic? When I read of headless bodies I immediately think of one ideology in particular to the exclusion of all others.
__________________________________________________
I'm hopeful the investigation into Mr. Islam and Mr. England has not ceased and will continue unimpeded. Neither man deserves a security clearance in this day and age, not this long after 9-11. Our gov't has had more than enough time to study and learn the nature of the enemy. Although sadly the evidence says otherwise. The have studied the history of 1950's McCarthyism and learned their lessons well. Too well.
Posted by: omvi at February 6, 2008 3:30 PM
We need G.C Scott you are probably right I am sure it is just a criminal Highlander engaging in un-celtic like activity.
Omvi I am not entirely sure about the area mentioned in the article but large swathes of North London have a heavy mohamadan presence.
at February 6, 2008 3:47 PM
From the top to the bottom:
Don’t use an AK-47 as a pry-bar:
http://www.liveleak.com/player2.swf?token=18f_1201000704
Note that this video and the others in his collection showing convoys and soldiers being blown up is posted by ‘Iraq_Translator_USMC’.
at February 6, 2008 3:49 PM
The Pentagon should reinstate Mr. Steven Coughlin immediately into his former position (that is if he still wants to be). We need him and more of his type. At the same time, we could do with far fewer Hesham Islams.
Both the Pentagon and the excecutive branch of the US government urgently need to purge themselves of Islamic 'radicals' (and sympathizers), Islamic moles, and assorted government personnel espousing the USA move closer to Islam (usually Muslims and their dhimmis). No doubt there are numerous people in the US government who are passing along much critical information to the jihadist networks for future jihadist assaults on America.
Whenever the United States government makes a U-turn in its policies towards Islam it is interpreted as a sign of weakness by Islamic leaders who then redouble their efforts to Islamize the United States aswell as increases the probability of further attacks on us.
This was dangerous territory for the US government to be venturing into.
Posted by: pythagoras at February 6, 2008 3:56 PM
The episode, including the serendipitous way he learned about it, made him wonder whether other meetings like that took place without State Department consultation
Has anyone asked Mr. Islam or Mr. England under oath whether this has happened? Have they questioned them under oath about Mr. Islam's false claims in his autobiography?
Or are they still restricting the investigation to whether Mr. Islam called Mr. Coughlin a particular name on a particular day during a particular meeting?
Posted by: special_guest at February 6, 2008 4:29 PM
"When you have somebody who has a controversial background," Carpenter added, "you don't want to give the impression that the United States government is standing behind them."
No -- you want to employ him within the United States government and stand with them as we are still doing with Mr. Islam.
Posted by: jsla at February 6, 2008 4:30 PM
pythagoras said
The Pentagon should reinstate Mr. Steven Coughlin immediately into his former position (that is if he still wants to be).
Agreed, Mr. Coughlin does excellent work. Others can, too, if given the chance. Whether or not he wants his former position back, the military needs to be trained about the true beliefs and values of Islam.
Mr. Coughlin can do that job. So can Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Spencer. So can Ibn Warriq, or Ayaan Hirsi Ali. There are many others, not nearly so famous, who could do the job. The Pentagon doesn't need one person teaching this, they need many.
This shouldn't just be about Mr. Coughlin getting "his" job back; we should be asking how it is that we don't have 100 Steven Coughlin's on staff at the Pentagon. This should be about how an entire field of study could be ruled inadmissible, when that field of study is the key to our national security for the foreseeable future. How can there be just one contractor, who can be fired at whim by an assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense?
Posted by: special_guest at February 6, 2008 4:43 PM
"it is that we don't have 100 Steven Coughlins on staff at the Pentagon."
-- from a posting above
Yes. Or those who, inside our outside the Pentagon, can train others to go and do likewise.
Posted by: Hugh at February 6, 2008 4:55 PM
A few years ago, Paul Sperry wrote Infiltration, a book exposing the outrageous extent of Muslim infiltration of our government. If he were to write a sequel today, it would be at least twice as thick.
Let's memorize and repeat at every opportunity Hugh's mantra, to ourselves, to our friends and to our inept, unethical misrepresentatives in Congress:
The large-scale presence of Muslims in Western nations has led to a situation that is far more unpleasant, expensive, and physically dangerous for its Infidel indigenous inhabitants (and for non-indigenous immigrants who are not Muslims) than would be the case without such a large-scale presence.
Posted by: US_infidel at February 6, 2008 5:44 PM
Nationalism is not a dirty word.
Posted by: US_infidel at February 6, 2008 5:48 PM
Secretary Gordon England is a former military industrial complex mogul, but the question that really needs to be asked;
What expertise does he himself have when it comes to Islam or was he completely deferring to Hesham Islam when it comes to understanding Islam?
Posted by: Mackie at February 6, 2008 6:33 PM
The defense department is easy to penetrate simply because there is so much naivete about Islam, the person as well as the religion.
Yet another example of ignorance on the part of high government officials. I just wonder what they're high on...
at February 6, 2008 6:58 PM
Secretary of Defense The Chairman and
Vice Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff The Chiefs of Staff
Dr. Robert M. Gates
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1000
Gordon R. England
Deputy Secretary of Defense
1010 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1010
Kenneth J. Krieg
Under Secretary of Defense
(Acquisition, Technology and Logistics)
3010 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-3010
David S. C. Chu
Under Secretary of Defense
(Personnel and Readiness)
4000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-4000
Eric S. Edelman
Under Secretary of Defense
(Policy)
2000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-2000
Tina Jonas
Under Secretrary of Defense
(Comptroller)
1100 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1100
Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff
9999 Joint Staff Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318-9999
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
9999 Joint Staff Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318-9999
Secretaries of the
Armed Forces
Secretary of the Army
101 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0101
Secretary of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350-1000
Secretary of the Air Force
1670 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1670
Army Chief of Staff
200 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-0200
Chief of Naval Operations
2000 Navy Pentagon
Washington, DC 20350-2000
Air Force Chief of Staff
1670 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1670
Commandant of the
Marine Corps
Headquarters USMC
2 Navy Annex (CMC)
Washington, DC 20380-1775
at February 6, 2008 11:21 PM
Considering the amount of arms dealing that Lockheed-Martian-GD does with Islamic nations it stands to reason they attached a string to LMGD weapon sales. Namely that the Pentagon employ muslims at the highest level in return for them buying weapons.
And weapons suppliers will do anything to make a sale.
Variations of such quid-pro-quo are common. When Boeing wanted to sell its latest proposed airliner, one of the prices for that was for the plane to be built in the countries Boeing will sell them too.
Posted by: waltc at February 7, 2008 1:15 AM
SeanO:"US Navy CDR (Ret.) Hesham Islam is a major driving force behind efforts to have Deputy SECDEF Gordon England meet with a senior representative of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood as well as Syria's pro-Hezbollah"
Mindboggling. Just mindboggling.
The next time the US starts lecturing Syria about this and that, Damascus will, ever so paitently, point out that the Syiran MB were exterminated in their tens of 1,000s by the Alawite regime whereas the US Navy invites the Syrian MB to drinky poos.
Drinky poos with the Muslim Brotherhood.
Take that, nasty Al-ikhwān al-muslimūn
Posted by: ewha1 at February 7, 2008 3:11 AM
KM; there is a headless body in Australia too this morning.
Posted by: Aunt Bea at February 7, 2008 6:31 AM
This is wonderful surreal stuff, isn't it?
If the Hesham Islam story were published as a novel or thriller, people would say that the plot was too far-fetched, simply too incredible to believe.
What on earth is the government up to?
Posted by: Kev at February 7, 2008 6:38 AM
Oh isn't that so true, Kev. I mean, the sleasiest, lamest, corniest B movie director wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. The US Navy, unfortunately, made of less sterner stuff than Ed Wood........
http://imdb.com/title/tt0109707/
And the rest, so they say, is history. Plastic ETs, polystyrene rocks, ropey acting and cardboard walls included.
To think that Western civilisation has come to this.
Ed Wood, all is forgiven.
Posted by: ewha1 at February 7, 2008 8:10 AM
This is gonna P O the Islam-is-peace-and-the-Muslem-Brotherhood-is-the-answer
Bloggers who have been so upset the the assistant to DepDefSec whose name I will not mention has been tied to the MB.
Apparently there are some big talks going on with the MB/US Govt. and they could be compromised.
Doesn't that make you feel safer?
at February 7, 2008 8:11 AM
Here's a bit of good news.
It would appear that when Major Coughlin's Joint Staff contract expires in the next few weeks he will begin work under a new contract in the SOCOM office of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).
This is indeed a promotion for Maj. Couglin. Looking at the organizational chart for the OSD it appears that Maj. Coughlin will work within his new contract for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities (ASD/SOLIC&IC).
The SOLIC Office is under the direction of Michael G. (“Mike”) Vickers. It's core tasks according to the US Special Operations Command 2007 posture statement include "counterterrorism; unconventional warfare; direct action; special reconnaissance; foreign internal defense; civil affairs, information and psychological operations; and counterproliferation of WMD."
Given Major Coughlin's expertise in Islamic warfighting doctrine - this new position would seem to be the perfect assignment.
at February 7, 2008 9:34 AM
AuntBea:"This is gonna P O the Islam-is-peace-and-the-Muslem-Brotherhood-is-the-answer
Bloggers who have been so upset the the assistant to DepDefSec whose name I will not mention has been tied to the MB."
That doesn't make any sense. We are upset with the DepDefSec's links with the MB because HE, and it seems you, thinks that the MB = Peace.
We think that the MB definitely are NOT the way towards peace.
This is pretty elementary stuff here
Your sentence really doesn't make any sense.
It's all back to front.
And also why the silly "name I will not mention"- bit?
His name, which is Defense Gordon England is all over the thread if you'd care to look. You're not hiding anything. It's even in the header FFS.
AB:"Apparently there are some big talks going on with the MB/US Govt. and they could be compromised."
Oh yippee yee. The US are chatting with the MB.
Waves flag around and gets all excited
Hey, why not go the whole hog and start holding afternoon teas with Bin Laden? You know, cut out the middle man.
Posted by: ewha1 at February 7, 2008 10:38 AM
JewishWoofWoof:"The defense department is easy to penetrate simply because there is so much naivete about Islam, the person as well as the religion.
Yet another example of ignorance on the part of high government officials. I just wonder what they're high on..."
Great post, JWW
What are they high on? Oh, that's easy. They get high on their own bullshit. Positively swimming in it.
Posted by: ewha1 at February 7, 2008 10:54 AM
pythagoras:"The Pentagon should reinstate Mr. Steven Coughlin immediately into his former position (that is if he still wants to be). We need him and more of his type. At the same time, we could do with far fewer Hesham Islams."
Well said
Posted by: ewha1 at February 8, 2008 12:40 AM
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