Upset that her husband has successfully surrounded himself with virgins by sabotaging her vest, if released she will catch up. Like the World Trade Towers, they always seem to return and finish the job.
There should be no trade, as horrible as that sounds. It will only further encourage them to take more captives.
1
It is not a trade, really. Trade implies a level of similar value in commodities. Twenty of her would be considered a stretch by the assayer.
No country should allow themselves to be extorted. As we all know, if you pay a ransom or exchange a prisoner with a non-country like ISIS, you invite more kidnappings and murders.
For those that think it is just the humane thing to do, please remember, you are not working or negotiating with humane people or even a people with a humane thought. These are a people that rape their own countrymen and women, children included, steal their homes and businesses, confiscate banks, oil fields, and then tell everyone they must adhere to sharia law - meaning they have no rights. Remember - these are their OWN PEOPLE. And commenters here think it's all happening because the West is evil and all we have to do is negotiate for peace!?!!
For those that think it is just the humane thing to do, please remember, you are not working or negotiating with humane people or even a people with a humane thought. These are a people that rape their own countrymen and women, children included, steal their homes and businesses, confiscate banks, oil fields, and then tell everyone they must adhere to sharia law - meaning they have no rights. Remember - these are their OWN PEOPLE. And commenters here think it's all happening because the West is evil and all we have to do is negotiate for peace!?!!
With the clownish exchange of the hapless Bergdahl for 5 terrorist leadership figures, Mr. Obama has either made us the country that willingly gets extorted, or the country that surrenders first and then asks terms.
Oh, for an actual leader in the White House! Why must we suffer two more LONG years? And the Taliban is NO LONGER a terrorist organization, Mr. Obama?
Oh, for an actual leader in the White House! Why must we suffer two more LONG years? And the Taliban is NO LONGER a terrorist organization, Mr. Obama?
1
@Steve Austin: Tell it like is, brother! Let the sun shine in on this administration.
These violent clashes will go on forever until people realize that the only way to get what you want is through non violence. Martin Luther King chose this path and today we have President Obama.
1
That late, lamented Republican would have been ten times a better leader than the current political hack in the White House. The Dems rushed this novice into the race because he would win out of sheer celebrity, but had he worked in the Senate, he'd have actually leardned about leadership and political compromise.
1
They want to get this woman back just for the aim to lynch her the most cruel way the Muslim world has ever seen. I do not envy this woman... She is supposed to realize what fate she will face very soon... Sad!
1
If this were a chess game (invented in the Middle East so ISIS knows what they are doing) it would be considered insanity: if you give me my pion back I will return to you the fortress and the horse. So obviously the game goes much deeper like Jordan totally dropping out of future participation, Japan and Jordan loosing mutual respect, the Middle East telling the US troops to do more of the dirty work (and thus get captured by ISIS), etc. In short, Pandora's box is about to be opened if Ms. Rishawi is set free.
Shrewd. They are giving their constituents the message that no one is a "nobody". For the marginalized and disenfranchised, this is a powerful recruiting tool.
4
She is one of the first women- kamikaze, that is her value. I think that ISIS members are happy to feel that they are able to put their heat on Jordan. That's real reason why they decided to bring Sajida al-Rishawi back
1
How about this? Tell Isis if either of those hostages are harmed; the requested terrorist will be executed immediately? Or sent back in pieces?
One at a time.
One at a time.
2
This news is very distressing to me and my community personally here in Los Angeles, CA. My childhood friend Rima Akkad Monla and her father, the movie producer Moustapha Akkad were killed in that suicide bombing. I wish this women would have died in the attack or after in prison being on death row. The Kingdom of Jordan is making a grave mistake in using her as a prisoner swamp. No one should give in to the demands of IS or Al Qeada or any group that claims to represent a very distorted view of Islam. This re-opens a wound that has never ever healed for myself and the surviving members of the Akkad family.
2
Clearly, Ms. Maayeh is correct. No one cares about this woman, particularly ISIS.
This is merely an astute political calculation, designed once they had necessary leverage to break up the "coalition".
This is merely an astute political calculation, designed once they had necessary leverage to break up the "coalition".
1
Shame on all those who sit safely in the United States and oppose prisoner exchange.
Prisoner exchanges have taken place in conflicts since Biblical times. There is absolutely nothing dishonorable or foolish about a prisoner exchange. As the term "exchange" implies, it does not provide an advantage to either side if done properly.
No particular terrorist is particularly important. This was well demonstrated when Bin Laden was dispatched - other leaders moved in to fill the vacuum, and we still have a terrorist problem.
All events since 9/11 indicate that the use of force against terrorists does not provide a solution. Exchanges are a humanitarian activity, and anything that engages groups such as ISIS in normal human activities, is a step toward a real solution.
Prisoner exchanges have taken place in conflicts since Biblical times. There is absolutely nothing dishonorable or foolish about a prisoner exchange. As the term "exchange" implies, it does not provide an advantage to either side if done properly.
No particular terrorist is particularly important. This was well demonstrated when Bin Laden was dispatched - other leaders moved in to fill the vacuum, and we still have a terrorist problem.
All events since 9/11 indicate that the use of force against terrorists does not provide a solution. Exchanges are a humanitarian activity, and anything that engages groups such as ISIS in normal human activities, is a step toward a real solution.
6
I suppose that this will be an unpopular opinion here, but what we need to do is join with as many countries as will join for the purposes of killing all members of IS in Iraq as quickly as possible. Surrender or die. We should do this for ourselves and our allies, no one else. No doubt innocent people will die and that is always a terrible tragedy, but, if we do not, many more innocent people will die or have their lives utterly ruined by IS and the like-minded and an infection will be left unchecked and festering. Young people who are rallying to IS are responding to apparent success and to identifying with what they see as pride and self-confidence. These people are all monsters and we should not worry about being humane or saving them. We are not monsters by destroying them. This has nothing to do with Muslims in general, but those militants or jihadists who have decided that murder, extortion, rape and kidnapping are viable political means. We should though, have no other purposes there and the last thing we should try to do again is try to fix their country. The only people we should help are those who make a substantial attempt to adopt enlightenment values in their government, even if imperfectly (as we are imperfect). We can help the Kurds. If we are tolerant of the intolerant, they will use it against us and they will succeed and we will fail. WWI should be our model, not Vietnam.
1
Rishawi should never be released, as she is an accomplice to the murder of 57 innocents in Jordan and injury to many more. (However, I do understand the difficulty of making such decisions when it means the lives of others like the Jordanian and Japanese hostages.) But the world, from the U.S. to Jordan to Japan must have an uncompromising hard line with the barbarians in ISIS. That is the only language they understand. We must never negotiate with terrorists like them. Instead the US should lead a worldwide coalition that actually enacts a serious plan (beyond "targeted airstrikes") to eliminate the scourge of ISIS and like-mind Islamic militant organizations from the globe.
2
The king of Jordan like his father is a wise and able ruler who has had experience in matters such as this. He will listen to his people as much as possible. I wish our president would be more informed before he gives away the store.
1
Any country that gives into these ISIS radicals is dooming itself to repeated kidnappings of their citizens for ransom. Obama started this nonsense with his trade for the disgraced American soldier. Stop this self-defeating practice now or it will only get worse.
1
This hostage negotiation reveals how shrewd ISIS is. Soon after Shinzo Abe pledged $2.5bn in non-military assistance to the Middle East, ISIS asked for a $200 million ransom from him for the two Japanese hostages. Knowing that Abe wouldn't compromise, it killed Haruna Yukawa, seen by many in Japan as a jerk and his adventure in Syria highly laughable. It keeps the journalist Kenji Goto, whose ordeal now garners much sympathy among Japanese, urging Abe to act.
ISIS is now asking for the release of Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange for Goto. Jordanians would prefer to see the captured pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh released. Sure he will be released, but in exchange for other high value prisoners like Ziad al-Karbouli.
That Kasasbeh's father has been rallying the Jordanian public to put pressure on the government and denounce its coalition campaign against ISIS, shows the Sunnis still think blood is thicker than water. The Sunnis put ethnic, tribal identities ahead of national security and interests.
ISIS is now asking for the release of Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange for Goto. Jordanians would prefer to see the captured pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh released. Sure he will be released, but in exchange for other high value prisoners like Ziad al-Karbouli.
That Kasasbeh's father has been rallying the Jordanian public to put pressure on the government and denounce its coalition campaign against ISIS, shows the Sunnis still think blood is thicker than water. The Sunnis put ethnic, tribal identities ahead of national security and interests.
2
I live in a suburb of Cleveland. We'll throw in Johnny Manziel and a draft pick if it will help get the hostages free.
1
In business, we like to say that you can't achieve long-term profitability solely by slashing expenses. At some point you have to have a viable product offering, generating regular revenues, or else you'll downsize yourself right out of business. Which brings us to ISIS. It knows how to slash heads, literally. But what is its larger value proposition? Until it has one, murdering people, a few here and a few there, will not make it endure. So the last thing anyone should consider doing is assisting ISIS in propping up its failing business model. No ransoms, no hostage swaps, no nothing. It will soon be apparent that ISIS offers nothing, and is nothing.
12
When you reward kidnappings by trading hostages or paying ransoms, you are guaranteeing you will get more of them. Shame on Japan and Jordan for making deals with terrorists. They are insuring untold others will be seen as lucrative prey.
9
true usually, but....
I am not sure to what extent these folks are really ransom motivated. So, not sure that not paying is going to stop the hostage taking and killing. Paying might save some folks until we can figure out a better way to deal with this and similar groups.
I am not sure to what extent these folks are really ransom motivated. So, not sure that not paying is going to stop the hostage taking and killing. Paying might save some folks until we can figure out a better way to deal with this and similar groups.
1
They are going to publicly kill her for being a bad operative to insure better follow through...play along at home...
If 'one at the global helm' don't get moved with half million Syrian deaths...what could be the importance/significance of one Jordanian prisoner swap!!!
1
I think she should be released to spare the life of the journalist. Enough killing already. If something can be done to spare a life, then do it.
10
"With a growing chorus of Jordanians, led by Lieutenant Kasasbeh’s father, arguing that the American-led fight against ISIS should not be Jordan’s war"
Neither should be that other war in Syria - that against Assad - be Jordan's war. Unfortunately they have chosen to start trouble and now they are paying the price.
Neither should be that other war in Syria - that against Assad - be Jordan's war. Unfortunately they have chosen to start trouble and now they are paying the price.
2
Note that she is part of the blowback from Falluja, where her family members were killed in the US assault on the city.
Also, the US failure to exchange James Foley for Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist the US holds in a Texas prison, resulted in Obama's decision to go back to Iraq and attack Syria. Obama rejected the IS exchange offer and Foley's beheading led to the resumption of the Iraq war.
Also, the US failure to exchange James Foley for Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist the US holds in a Texas prison, resulted in Obama's decision to go back to Iraq and attack Syria. Obama rejected the IS exchange offer and Foley's beheading led to the resumption of the Iraq war.
3
Let the Sunnis and Shias sort themselves. It is THEIR war not OURS.
26
In the era of globalisation there is no seperation between spaces. When Ebola infest one part of the world peopel get scared, righly in other parts. When there is a war or terrorist act in one part it soon spread to another part...the great myth of this century is nation and nationality' which provide the illusion of a closed space.
Actually, it became "ours" as soon as the US invaded (thanks, George). We have a responsibility to help defend the people of a nation we turned into chaos.
1
The only thing that could hold and make a 'coalition' against ISIS effective is a common set of values. One of those values must be 'no ransom', for without such a value, ISIS defeat is all but impossible. A pilot today, a few kids tomorrow, it will never end unless you totally defeat these people, and that means killing them all. So, who's war is this O?.
10
"One of those values must be 'no ransom',"
And the best value must be not invading peaceful countries and in meddling around in civil wars of other countries which is the result of our unjust actions.
And the best value must be not invading peaceful countries and in meddling around in civil wars of other countries which is the result of our unjust actions.
7
Peaceful countries engaging in civil wars? Our fault? Oh right, because of oil that we paid for. It's all our fault!
1
It's interesting that the Jordanian government and the Jordanian people are so willing to give her away to trade, especially since this attack is "their 9/11." Even the groom of the wedding where the attacks took place is advocating her trade! I wonder what kind of reaction the american people would give if we had captured one of the men who hijacked a plan on 9/11 and had decided to release him in exchange for an American soldier. Could this be because she is a woman? I have no idea.
5
We would flip out at the mere thought. But then, we've become an entirely visceral nation. Chants of USA! USA! have been substituted for reason.
1
ISIS is fighting a surrogate war on behalf of the interest of the Saudi Kingdom in reversing the verdict of the first Sunni Civil War in Iraq, and redrawing the map of the Shia Crescent to block Persian pipeline distribution of fossil fuel to Europe and Asia.
Without the Kingdom and the Emirates ISIS is powerless. The continued willingness of the US to avert its eyes from the obvious absurdity of our allies supporting our ultimate enemy in the War on Terror is essential to the otherwise inexplicable sudden success of ISIS. That our enemies among these Islamic States are pretty consistently Secular Leaders should be twice damning of American Policy, and of course Israel is always in the mix to keep the pot boiling.
Under these bizarre circumstances it is fatuous to allow anyone who has become a hostage to die at the hands of Sunni ISIS because the notion that ISIS needs to extort money with hostages as bargaining chips is ridiculous. The beheadings are pure, attention getting propaganda. ISIS operates on Sunni Oil State largess, and regardless of negotiation with terrorists or not ISIS will persist as long as the US continues to grant its tacit approval.
For the sake of sanity, even though it damages the terror narrative of the American Foreign Policy Elite, the hostages should be bailed out by interested governments. Ultimately the US is behind ISIS and it is screamingly obvious that we bare a large part of the responsibility for the mayhem.
Without the Kingdom and the Emirates ISIS is powerless. The continued willingness of the US to avert its eyes from the obvious absurdity of our allies supporting our ultimate enemy in the War on Terror is essential to the otherwise inexplicable sudden success of ISIS. That our enemies among these Islamic States are pretty consistently Secular Leaders should be twice damning of American Policy, and of course Israel is always in the mix to keep the pot boiling.
Under these bizarre circumstances it is fatuous to allow anyone who has become a hostage to die at the hands of Sunni ISIS because the notion that ISIS needs to extort money with hostages as bargaining chips is ridiculous. The beheadings are pure, attention getting propaganda. ISIS operates on Sunni Oil State largess, and regardless of negotiation with terrorists or not ISIS will persist as long as the US continues to grant its tacit approval.
For the sake of sanity, even though it damages the terror narrative of the American Foreign Policy Elite, the hostages should be bailed out by interested governments. Ultimately the US is behind ISIS and it is screamingly obvious that we bare a large part of the responsibility for the mayhem.
15
"ISIS is fighting a surrogate war on behalf of the interest of the Saudi Kingdom"
Stephen, one of the primary goals of the Islamic State is to undermine KSA's monarchy, thus the Kingdom's monarchy is diametrically opposed to ISIS, in spite fostering Wahhabism for decades.
The GCC's lack of support for Arab Spring behaviour echoes this concern.
FYI.
Stephen, one of the primary goals of the Islamic State is to undermine KSA's monarchy, thus the Kingdom's monarchy is diametrically opposed to ISIS, in spite fostering Wahhabism for decades.
The GCC's lack of support for Arab Spring behaviour echoes this concern.
FYI.
1
What you believe is not even remotely true. Saudi Arabia is The Garden of Eden for all things Wahabi. Al Qaeda, ISIS and the Taliban are creations of the Kingdom. The so called Madi, who leads ISIS is a ringer who first surfaced in the custody of the CIA as a supposed Baghdad Street Thug. He has not a scar on his face, a cosmetically perfect nose, and unmarked skin, with Hollywood white teeth. Hard to believe the street thug story. Six months ago the last word on ISIS, before it all became silly, was that Saudi Arabia and Qatar were competing to own the Sunni Rebellion in Syria. Qatar had already contributed 10 billion to the radical kitty and Saudi Arabia had ramped up arms and financial support in order to lay claim to the rebellion. FYI.
By the way the Saudi support for Arab Spring was fine as long as it didn't apply to Shia. Part of the reason that the Kingdom wants to re secure the Shia Crescent is that the Princes fear the Shia oil rig workers who man the Saudi Extraction Operation in their portion of the Shia Crescent.
This issue between Jordan and ISIS is our problem why again?
1
No one said its your problem. It is simply a global news report - there is no suggesting that you should do something about it.
Why do I get the feeling that if your neighbor's house was on fire, you'd simply close your blinds and say it's not you're problem?
1
I think that the life of the pilot is worth letting her go and since they didn't find a value for keeping her prisoner anyways I see it as a good trade. Plus I am pretty sure they can keep track of her so that even if they let her go there is still a way to know her whereabouts. The trade will also save a life and result in less bloodshed for now. Adding on to that letting her go would give them a shot as to why the want her so bad all of a sudden.
6
It appears to be a rather clever, and disturbing, manipulation of the relationship between Japan and Jordan by ISIS. An unwanted, low value prisoner in exchange for the Japanese hostage? Jordan refuses, Mr. Goto perishes and the Japanese public hold the Jordanians responsible, leading the Japanese government to drop their support of Jordan.
6
I think you have this situation so right. ISIS is manipulating the negotiations in order to place Jordan in a horrible predicament. ISIS is causing discord among the Jordanian people and its government if the exchange process places the life of a Jordanian citizen at risk while at the same time, possibly ruining diplomatic and financial relations with their ally if they decide otherwise. This terrorist organization has taken terror to a new level that to me, seem unprecedented in previous groups of this type. I don't think it's about the ransom money or the exchange rather their strategy is based, according to my observation, to be as a way of preventing unity among allied forces against terrorism and tension between good diplomatic/economic relations like that of Jordan and Japan.
3
YES. Unlike uneducated countries or people's point of views Japan is not participating into war any longer unlike WW2. Lot's of people has no clue that Japan is not same as back in a days of "Imperial Great Japan" no longer for long time.
To be honest, In Japan the Image of Middle easterners ( except Lebanon for some reason ) are very bad including Israel ( many drifters travel to the Japan to make money but end up getting connections with Mafia on the streets and committing crimes) Japan might willing to support Jordan but because of this incident and sort of betrayal and attitudes of self conceit forced Japan to withdraw support perhaps in the future.
To be honest, In Japan the Image of Middle easterners ( except Lebanon for some reason ) are very bad including Israel ( many drifters travel to the Japan to make money but end up getting connections with Mafia on the streets and committing crimes) Japan might willing to support Jordan but because of this incident and sort of betrayal and attitudes of self conceit forced Japan to withdraw support perhaps in the future.
However, in this hostage situations like this Keeping lives of hostages and not to agitate terrorists mind is the key of hostage situations to be successful. passing dead line to be both executed? very ironical move to everyone.
"With a growing chorus of Jordanians, led by Lieutenant Kasasbeh’s father, arguing that the American-led fight against ISIS should not be Jordan’s war, ..."
Isn't that obvious?
What else could the father of a hostage in the hands of murderous fanatics say?
Isn't that obvious?
What else could the father of a hostage in the hands of murderous fanatics say?
9
After reading a few of the comments already posted, there is a lot of sense after putting thought into what has been said. The way they are resolving this problem can be the start of something new, a better more efficient way of releasing prisoners rather than having them kept prisoner and a video surfacing of them being beheaded or so. Reflecting on a few comments posted earlier, Ms. Rishawi does now hold some value, her knowledge of what went on during her time of imprisonment and captivity. This “an eye for and eye” trade seems effective in reducing the bloodshed, nothing at the moment is for sure and the freedom of the Japanese pilot isn’t guaranteed yet but the risks we have to take to try to save lives matter day.
3
On the one hand, she left her husband at the alter. On the other hand, her release represents perhaps a watershed moment for ISIS to flex their muscles inside Jordan. Jordan is not as stable as it once was. Jordan is teaming with extremism -- underneath the monarch. By showing they can get a prisoner released inside the kingdom, ISIS shows its power, demonstrates its reach, and teaches all extremists, even those in prison for nine years that --- the game isn't over -- even for them, if they're caught.
That's quite a powerful message and I'm surprised the Jordanians are playing along, no matter what they deem Ms. Rishawi's "importance". This isn't about her, it's about ISIS v. the king of Jordan. Using Japan to influence Jordan also demonstrates a willingness to test and coerce the alliance fighting them.
That's quite a powerful message and I'm surprised the Jordanians are playing along, no matter what they deem Ms. Rishawi's "importance". This isn't about her, it's about ISIS v. the king of Jordan. Using Japan to influence Jordan also demonstrates a willingness to test and coerce the alliance fighting them.
15
Regarding the Jordanian pilot: I'd say release her and make it a POW style exchange. There are countless worthless human beings just like her in the ISIS-controlled territories and she won't make a difference. This could also be a test of ISIS's limits.
Regarding the Japanese hostage: Japan hasn't fired a bullet in a war theater since WW2. How many big, developed nations can claim this? If ISIS executes this brave, humanitarian-journalist, who only came to the ISIS-controlled territory to help his friend, then the image of Islamic world will suffer. There is absolutely no possible rationalization for killing of Japanese citizens. (It is easy for the Islamists to rationalize the murder of US and European citizens.)
Already, in Japan, there is a strong isolationist tendency. I live between US and Japan. Every time when I'm in Japan I'm perplexed at the relaxed attitude towards foreign policy (apart from tensions with China) and total lack of desire in getting involved in affairs of other countries, especially in the Middle East. Unfortunately for the world, Japan will get even less involved after this kidnapping. Even the father of the first hostage (now beheaded) has apologized for his son's travel to the territory.
Perhaps the West could learn a bit from Japan and leave Middle East to its own devices, while accepting and helping the refugees. I don't see any other way out of this hell.
Regarding the Japanese hostage: Japan hasn't fired a bullet in a war theater since WW2. How many big, developed nations can claim this? If ISIS executes this brave, humanitarian-journalist, who only came to the ISIS-controlled territory to help his friend, then the image of Islamic world will suffer. There is absolutely no possible rationalization for killing of Japanese citizens. (It is easy for the Islamists to rationalize the murder of US and European citizens.)
Already, in Japan, there is a strong isolationist tendency. I live between US and Japan. Every time when I'm in Japan I'm perplexed at the relaxed attitude towards foreign policy (apart from tensions with China) and total lack of desire in getting involved in affairs of other countries, especially in the Middle East. Unfortunately for the world, Japan will get even less involved after this kidnapping. Even the father of the first hostage (now beheaded) has apologized for his son's travel to the territory.
Perhaps the West could learn a bit from Japan and leave Middle East to its own devices, while accepting and helping the refugees. I don't see any other way out of this hell.
76
Since the USA has given up leading (or trying to lead) the world, we definitely need more countries like Japan and Germany, without meaningful and comprehensive foreign policies to pay more ransoms and issue more apologies. We are the world…we are the ostriches.
1
Japan hasn't fired a shot because they weren't allowed to.
1
It is naive to buy into the 'rationalization' from ISIS or any terrorist group (or any religious or government) that the west or US is responsible for this terror. NONSENSE! Neither the West nor the US has done anything that can rationalize the kidnapping, rape, and/or murder of peoples today.
Is the west perfect - heck no. Is any country without shame. HECK NO. Ask China how they feel about the Nanking massacre. The Japanese don't teach their kids about it, but it was an unbelievable attocity. All countries have done things they cannot be proud of - the US nor the west have brought this on themselves and if you believe that propaganda that they did, you might want to learn alittle more about your adoptive country called Japan.
Is the west perfect - heck no. Is any country without shame. HECK NO. Ask China how they feel about the Nanking massacre. The Japanese don't teach their kids about it, but it was an unbelievable attocity. All countries have done things they cannot be proud of - the US nor the west have brought this on themselves and if you believe that propaganda that they did, you might want to learn alittle more about your adoptive country called Japan.
they want her for precisely the reason she is "irrelevant" . Not only will she willingly kill again BUT she has nine long years of recognizing how the prison works, who is there and who is in charge, etc. she is the observer from the inside. She can name names and identify people. You really, really think she has no value? That's wrong thinking my friend.
24
Maybe the tables should be turned and the west needs to tell ISIS that they need to release all hostages or an equal number of their prisoners will die. "An eye for an eye" - until all of us are half blind.
10
They want her so they can kill her for not executing (no pun intended) her "duty". Sounds like a win-win situation for all concerned, actually.
Send her to her brothers in arms. Good riddance.
Send her to her brothers in arms. Good riddance.
2
Whoa, whoa, hold on. "...especially after that group morphed into the Islamic State." Is it just me, or is saying Al Qaeda became Islamic State a very bold and debatable statement?
4
Not really. It's commonly understood that Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) morphed into the Islamic State. AQ Core formally disassociated itself from the group last year, though, and currently AQ is a competitor to IS.
http://www.cfr.org/iraq/islamic-state-iraq-syria/p14811
http://www.vox.com/cards/isis-myths-iraq/al-qaeda-isis
http://www.cfr.org/iraq/islamic-state-iraq-syria/p14811
http://www.vox.com/cards/isis-myths-iraq/al-qaeda-isis
1
It started as al Qaeda in Iraq, which is distinct from Bin Laden's al Qaeda. You can't know the players without a program.
7
Al Qaeda in Iraq did become ISIS. The other Al Qaedas are not aligned with them.
6
It seems odd that ISIS is demanding her release, since women seem to be valued less than cattle in their culture. Perhaps they are doing this to somehow save face, since there message seems to be more diluted each day. Sad to say, the west is no longer shocked by the extreme violence of this group. If she does secure the release of the Jordanian and Japanese hostages, she will achieve some redemption, but I doubt that she will treated well by ISIS. She will no doubt be viewed as a PR victory, but will certainly show up in another suicide attack down the line.
3
What culture is that, exactly, wherein women have little value?
Women have been the heads of state in Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, etc.
Islam isn't anti-woman any more than Christianity. Husbands from numerous cultures sit in front of a television waiting for their wive to deliver a chicken pot pie...
Women have been the heads of state in Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, etc.
Islam isn't anti-woman any more than Christianity. Husbands from numerous cultures sit in front of a television waiting for their wive to deliver a chicken pot pie...
1
Yeah, Christianity and Islam treat women basically the same. With this kind of suprememly bogus equivalency you are essentially comparing a headache to a brain tumor. Well thought out.
1
Jordan's position: Ms. Rishawi is a nobody. Not even the victims oppose her release. But trading the Japanese hostage for her is not acceptable. The Jordanian hostage must be released.
ISIS's position: Ms. Rishawi has long been forgotten. But now we want Jordan to release her and we'll give up a $100 million Japanese hostage, who means nothing to Jordanians But we will not give up a Jordanian pilot.
It may be time for the Japanese to make an offer. If their hostage is released to Jordan, maybe they could get Jordan's hostage out by making an offer to ISIS.
This all seems like horse trading of the ugliest sort. Those who see sense in it are suggesting that Ms. Rashawi went from non-entity to saint last week when nobody was paying attention.
If human lives weren't at stake this would seem surreal and silly. Instead it is surreal and grave.
ISIS's position: Ms. Rishawi has long been forgotten. But now we want Jordan to release her and we'll give up a $100 million Japanese hostage, who means nothing to Jordanians But we will not give up a Jordanian pilot.
It may be time for the Japanese to make an offer. If their hostage is released to Jordan, maybe they could get Jordan's hostage out by making an offer to ISIS.
This all seems like horse trading of the ugliest sort. Those who see sense in it are suggesting that Ms. Rashawi went from non-entity to saint last week when nobody was paying attention.
If human lives weren't at stake this would seem surreal and silly. Instead it is surreal and grave.
8
I believe that ISIS may be taking the long view in these negotiations. I suspect that Ms. Rishawi merely proves to ISIS that Jordan will partake in the horse trading. If they can trade Mr. Goto for her, they can trade First Lt. al-Kasasbeh for someone much more valuable, like high-ranking ISIS leadership that Jordan supposedly has imprisoned.
17
The way this will play out will indicate whether ISIS is predominately pursuing long-range or short-range goals in this hostage crisis. If the latter, there is a simple solution both sides could live with. If ISIS were to now respond to Jordan's insistence on the release of both Jordan's Lt. Kasasbeh and Mr. Goto, the Japanese journalist, for the mass-murderer Rishawi by adding a demand for the release of another Jordanian-housed terrorist, such as Ziad al-Karbouli, I'll bet the Jordanians would bite and both sides would get what they want and save face in a 2-for-2 exchange.
But if ISIS is really playing its cards to force both Jordan to withdraw its support of the fight against ISIS, and the Japanese to stop supporting Jordan - which are likely far more important goals to ISIS, although far more difficult to achieve - it becomes harder to handicap the odds of saving both of these lives.
Suggestions to leave the region to its own devices are wrongheaded. They would leave Israel, America's most loyal ally and friend within thousands of miles of Jerusalem, to the mischievous devices of Iranian-sponsored terror groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, the government of Hafez Al-Asad, and other Islamic terrorists, all of whom are dedicated to the extermination of the most pro-Western democracy in the region.
But if ISIS is really playing its cards to force both Jordan to withdraw its support of the fight against ISIS, and the Japanese to stop supporting Jordan - which are likely far more important goals to ISIS, although far more difficult to achieve - it becomes harder to handicap the odds of saving both of these lives.
Suggestions to leave the region to its own devices are wrongheaded. They would leave Israel, America's most loyal ally and friend within thousands of miles of Jerusalem, to the mischievous devices of Iranian-sponsored terror groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, the government of Hafez Al-Asad, and other Islamic terrorists, all of whom are dedicated to the extermination of the most pro-Western democracy in the region.
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