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| Fifth Column |
| Hesham Islam to leave Pentagon job |
| 2008-02-12 |
| In a stunning turn of events, a high-level Muslim military aide blamed for costing an intelligence contractor his job will step down from his own Pentagon post, WND has learned. Meanwhile, his rival, Maj. Stephen Coughlin, a leading authority on Islamic war doctrine, may stay in the Pentagon, moving from the office of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the office of the secretary of defense. However, sources say a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey is trying to block his new contract. The top Pentagon aide, Egyptian-born Hesham H. Islam, came under a cloud of suspicion after reports raised doubt about his resume and contacts he had made with radical Muslims. He is expected to leave the government next month, officials say. Islam and Coughlin recently quarreled over intelligence briefings Coughlin presented showing a close connection between the religion of Islam and terrorism. Coughlin's contract with the Joint Chiefs, which ends in March, was not renewed. But as a result of the ensuing firestorm that played out in the conservative press – led by Washington Times Pentagon reporter Bill Gertz – Islam was put under a microscope, and questions were raised regarding his background. For example, Claudia Rosett of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies wrote a column challenging key claims in Islam's official biography. Within days, a Defense Department profile of Islam was removed from the department's website. A Pentagon spokesman said it was "taken down in an attempt to reduce the rhetoric and the emotion surrounding this issue while we try to determine the facts." A senior U.S. official says the life story Islam presented now appears sketchy. "His resume didn't add up, and he knows it," the official said. "He's voluntarily leaving the government in March." At the same time, a report by terror expert Steven Emerson revealed that Islam, as special assistant to the deputy secretary of defense, has scheduled at least two meetings in the Pentagon with Syrian-tied radicals – including a leading member of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood – in direct violation of U.S. policy. As WND previously reported, FBI officials believe Islam is involved with the U.S. branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and is helping its front groups run "influence operations" against the U.S. government. "He's a Muslim brother," an FBI official told WND. "He's a bad actor, and he's made other unreported nefarious contacts." Islam has worked closely in the Pentagon with Muslim chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam, who as WND also previously reported, received his training at a radical Islamic school in Northern Virginia that was raided by federal authorities after 9/11. Islam, whose son is active in the military, obtained one of the highest security clearances for classified information. Sources confirm he has sat in on Pentagon meetings in which intelligence clearance was restricted at the Top Secret/SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) level. The Pentagon had no comment. And Islam, who has not been accused of any crimes, has refused interviews. Emerson says Islam prescribed a steady diet of Muslim Brotherhood-connected outreach for his unwitting boss, deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England. Who also appears to be the driver to kill F-22 production. For example, England spoke at the Islamic Society of North America's 2006 convention and last year even hosted a luncheon with ISNA officials in the Pentagon. At the time, federal prosecutors had linked ISNA to the Muslim Brotherhood conspiracy in the U.S. and named the group as an unindicted co-conspirator in a major terrorism-financing case. In one intelligence briefing, Coughlin argued that the Pentagon should end its outreach programs with ISNA, which also put him at odds with Islam. Pentagon insiders say Eric S. Edelman, ... Another name to keep a weary eye on. undersecretary of defense for policy, has sought to stop the awarding of a ... new contract to Coughlin. Edelman served as ambassador to Turkey from 2003 to 2005. Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., who co-chairs the House Anti-Terrorism Caucus, has been fighting to keep Coughlin in the Pentagon, where she says his blunt analysis of the Islamic enemy is sorely needed. Kudos Rep. Myrick. Unlike most of your colleagues, you have EARNED your salary and perks for the month. Interested in becoming VP? Citing federal court documents introduced as evidence in a recent major terror case, she also warns that U.S. front groups for the Muslim Brotherhood are conspiring to destroy America from within. "Our enemies have clearly stated their intention to infiltrate us, much like the Russians did during the Cold war," Myrick said. "We had no problem analyzing and acting on that information then." "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," she added. "They are patient and determined to achieve their radical agenda." Before attacking, the early muslims would prepare a city by sending agents to spread subversion and chaos. The methods haven't changed. The size of the targets have. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #15 hmmm shouldn't the required background checks catch this shit? Or at least confirm the bio you post on your website? I mean "convert infidels to teh one true belief" may be extreme, but I think "carry water for CAIR and Muslim Brotherhood" could be checked....oh wait, the bio was inaccurate too.... nevermind. Hey! Gordon England? Don't you need to spend more time with your family? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-02-12 19:18 |
| #14 Maybe he can be Obama's Secretary of Defense... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-02-12 19:11 |
| #13 Doesn't the faith fundamentally conflict with the oath of enlistment/commission? How many Amish do you know chuck their 'faith' for one? |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-02-12 19:07 |
| #12 "for his unwitting boss, deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England" If England is that stupid, he shouldn't be in charge of the toilet paper supply, let alone anything in the Pentagon. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2008-02-12 18:34 |
| #11 Muslims shouldn't be allowed to serve in the military at any rank higher than PFC/Seaman Recruit. Their religion is immutably opposed to this country's form of government; they shouldn't be placed in a position where they can do serious damage to our defense effort if they contract Sudden Jihad Syndrome. |
| Posted by: Jomosing Bluetooth8431 2008-02-12 17:33 |
| #10 Emerson says Islam prescribed a steady diet of Muslim Brotherhood-connected outreach for his unwitting boss, deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England. Unwitting? England can't be that stupid. Questions about England need to be asked and answered. |
| Posted by: Grailing and Tenille1838 2008-02-12 15:51 |
| #9 What possible reason is there for retaining a disgrace like this guy for even one more day ? Sometimes I think they just don't get it. Other times I think it's the oil. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2008-02-12 12:48 |
| #8 There's a 100 or so more. Navy imam Chaplain Abuhena M. Saifulislam lifted his voice to God as he called to prayer more than 100 Department of Defense employees Monday at a celebration of Ramadan at the Pentagon. “God is most great,” sang the lieutenant commander and Islamic leader, in Arabic, as iftar — the end of the daily fast began. Uniformed military personnel, civilians and family members faced Mecca and knelt on adorned prayer rugs chanting their prayers |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2008-02-12 12:47 |
| #7 Questions for the Pentagon Who is Hesham Islam? By Claudia Rosett |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2008-02-12 12:42 |
| #6 One scumbag shitcanned, one to go. Dump this traitor G. England. Trouble is, I recall Gates speaking very favorably of England. Does England have some dope on someone high up in the hierarchy ? What possible reason is there for retaining a disgrace like this guy for even one more day ? |
| Posted by: Woozle Elmeter 2907 2008-02-12 10:42 |
| #5 What the hell is up with Gordon England? I was under the impression he was relatively sane and well regarded - at least back when he was Secretary of the Navy. Is he succumbing to the same problem the rest of England seems to be afflicted with? |
| Posted by: SteveS 2008-02-12 10:29 |
| #4 I'm sure he'll find somebody, MM. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2008-02-12 09:39 |
| #3 Who's gonn whisper crap about pisslam being the religion of peace into gordo england's misshapen ear now? |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2008-02-12 09:06 |
| #2 It's coming on to Purim, when we celebrate the excitements of the Book of Esther. In this modern version Hesham Islam plays Haman, the vizir of the King of Persia who hates Mordechai (Maj. Stephen Coughlin), a Jewish trader who overhears a nefarious plot and sends to warn the King. Haman, in his hatred, plots to get the king to condemn Mordechai and all the Jews to death, but in the end he is trapped by the beautiful and wise Queen Esther (obviously Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C.), Mordechai's niece, and Haman and his sons are hung on the gallows he, himself caused to be built. And there was much rejoicing. Maj. Coughlin now reports directly to Secretary Gates, while Mr. Islam, pet advisor of Deputy Defense Secretary England is out? Mr. England's career is so toast! I'll bet someone is looking pretty closely at Mr. Islam's son in the military, too. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-02-12 08:32 |
| #1 It's called a 'nuclear handgrenade'*. You can take someone out with it, but you'll go too. Enjoy Hesham! *However, in honor of your belief, just consider it a suicide vest of career management. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-02-12 07:31 |