Report: Jordanian Agent Carried Out CIA Bombing

Topics: Afghanistan

(CBS)

The suicide bomber who killed seven CIA agents on a base in Afghanistan Dec. 31, 2009 was a Jordanian doctor acting as a double agent for al Qaeda, according to a NBC News report Monday citing "Western intelligence officials."

The officials said the perpetrator was 36-year-old Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi. Al-Balawi had been identified as a possible terror threat more than a year ago, but U.S. and Jordanian intelligence officials apparently believed he had turned and was feeding them valuable information.

He was allowed onto the Afghanistan base last week after promising information about top al Qaeda lieutenant Ayman al Zawahiri, according to the NBC report.

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by Nikos_Retsos January 4, 2010 8:38 PM EST: It is obvious from the dripping news in this case that Khalil al-Balawi had planned his revenge against the CIA. And I believe that it was personal, and not because he was an Al-Qaeda jihadist looking for martyrdom.

The scenario of al-Balawi's CIA connection is probably this: He was arrested earlier in Jordan by the Jordanian intelligence - which works closely with the CIA- probably after the CIA classified him as an Al Qaeda associate or sympathizer. He was certainly tortured by the Jordanians, but he probably had no much to offer to satisfy the
Jordanians and the CIA. And the Jordanians and the CIA then upped the ante by making him an offer he couldn't refuse: Work with us to infiltrate Al Qaeda and sniff the whereabouts of Ayman al Zawahiri, or you will be shipped to Guantanamo as an enemy combatant.

He took the offer because he had no choice. His CIA conduct was a Jordanian officer embedded with CIA, who was also a cousin of Jordanian King Abdullah. Al Balawi knew, therefore, that his life in his country as a citizen was over, and the only choices left were either as a CIA portable snitch, or yeas in prison as an enemy combatant. And he made the decision then to outsmart his pursuers, and get his revenge against them for virtually forcing him into a mission he hated, but which he would still have some control, or life in a U.S. prison. His handlers might have been bluffing to squeeze him - a standard interrogation tactic, but in the brutal Arab regimes there is no much bluffing. He surely felt he had no way out! The rest is history.

Jordan's King Abdullah was seen in the evening news waiting in the Amman airport for the body of his dead cousin. Someone must tell him now that forcing any Arab to work with the CIA against other Muslims is quite dumb - given the high anti-American sentiment in the Arab world, and particularly in Jordan whose population is 70% Palestinian. The lesson that the Jordanians and the CIA hopefully will learn from this tragedy is: If you force a Muslim to betray other Muslims and his religion, hold the champagne. You probably won't need it! Nikos Retsos, retired professor; Reply to this comment


by wyodutch January 4, 2010 8:12 PM EST: Wealthy countries use the UAV to assassinate.
.
The poor people use explosive vests.
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The results are the same. The only difference is... the UAV controller sits in an air-conditioned office in Texas and goes home at the end of the day. He risks nothing. The fellow wearing the explosive vest must be so determined and committed to his cause that he is willing to lay down his life for it.; Reply to this comment


by YoureSoWrong18 January 4, 2010 5:16 PM EST: Special Jihadists need to be taken out by special means. Their supporters can be dealt with later.; Reply to this comment


by shylove2 January 4, 2010 5:15 PM EST: Since it was a secret war via the CIA starting in '79 they should be well aware of the risks of the clandestine paranoia of the stingers and arrows of outrageously expensive fortunes.; Reply to this comment


by nowhiningallowed January 4, 2010 4:31 PM EST: I hope Jordan is one of the countries on the list requiring more so-called stringent security checks at airports for those passengers traveling to the U.S. It's interesting that the majority of countries on this list are primarily Muslim countries. Coincidence? Geez, I think not!; Reply to this comment


by YoureSoWrong18 January 4, 2010 4:14 PM EST: The usual supporters of state sponsored Jihad are out in force. Where are the drones when they're needed?; Reply to this comment

by jayescas January 4, 2010 3:11 PM EST

Does that mean Jordan is now on the 'Country of Interest list'?

Reply to this comment


by sjc_1 January 5, 2010 2:12 AM EST: No, Jordan is not on that list. Syria, Libya and others are for obvious reasons over the years. Their governments have sponsored terrorism for decades, Jordan has not.

by YoureSoWrong18 January 4, 2010 2:46 PM EST

Jihad's supporters are the scum of the earth.

Reply to this comment


by libftw January 4, 2010 3:53 PM EST: You'll get no argument from me.


by YoureSoWrong18 January 4, 2010 4:11 PM EST: (1) Western Civilization cannot be described as the Great Satan; (2) Secular republics, for reasons as old as the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the American Revolution, are superior in every way to Iran's criminal mystic regime;(3) Supporters of theocratic police states are psychologically and philosophically damaged and dangerous to the well being of the entire world; (4) Such regimes and their supporters should be eliminated by any means necessary.