Former Top CIA & FBI Official Philip Mudd Offers Speaks at Homeland Security Policy Institute

Philip Mudd, delivered incisive remarks on al Qaeda and US responses today at The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI), where Mudd is a Senior Fellow.
 
June 21, 2010 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON —Philip Mudd, Former Deputy Director, National Security Branch, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Former Deputy Director, National Counterterrorist Center, Central Intelligence Agency, delivered incisive remarks on al Qaeda and US responses today at The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI), where Mudd is also a Senior Fellow.

“We do not face a terrorist group,” said Mudd, referring to al Qaeda. “They believe they are expanding a revolution. The end is not terrorism, and terrorism is not a strategy. The end is to foment revolution over decades.” Mudd offered his comments on al Qaeda, its affiliates, and likeminded individuals, as well as reflections on his long career combating these entities, as part of HSPI’s Policy & Research Forum Series. Frank Cilluffo, HSPI’s Director, moderated the discussion

Mudd approached his topic from two points of view: the US view and the adversary’s view. He identified a three-part typology of the threat: 1) al Qaeda core—still a formidable threat; 2) affiliated organizations—such as Jemaah Islamiyah, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula—that share al Qaeda’s intent and ideology, and look to build their capabilities; and 3) “like-mindeds”—people who feel wronged and are swept along by the global revolution.

Mudd noted many improvements in US strategy and capabilities since 9/11, but he argued that the key error made by the adversary was in killing too many local civilians—from the Philippines and Pakistan to Iraq and North Africa. It was this error that provided the opening for the US to have success.

Mudd did credit al Qaeda with some victories. Given the goal of fomenting revolution, al Qaeda has been successful in influencing those they have not been able to touch directly. Mudd also stated that the adversary thinks in terms of “decades and centuries” rather than a shorter, Western timeframe. Despite suggesting that a down year is simply vindication to al Qaeda that they are being tested, Mudd struck a cautiously optimistic chord: “I think the wave has crested and the movement is dying, but I don’t know what the end looks like.”

Mudd also took direct aim at several problems the US faces in combating al Qaeda and its affiliates. He argued against focusing on the killing or capturing of key individuals as a means of assessing progress, because al Qaeda is more than a group of people planning attacks. “The power of the organization is not just in conducting attacks, it’s in persuading others to think and act as they do.” Mudd characterized the organization as “like fabric,” with people involved in training, financing, planning, and producing false documents. The question is, “how quickly are threads coming out so it frays and rips?” If the US operational tempo slows, the adversary can restore the fabric.

Mudd closed with a warning that al Qaeda and its affiliates want a victory that only we can give them. “We should think about how we react,” said Mudd. “We will lose people in this country. As we grieve for people who are murdered, we should think about how we react to a movement that is dying.”

Cilluffo in turn noted the importance of bridge figures—such as Anwar al-Awlaki and Omar Hammami, both “jihadi rock stars”—who propagate al Qaeda’s narrative on the internet, including in chat rooms and interactive forums, and help facilitate radicalization. Cilluffo added, “I think there is a role for the US government to push back and facilitate the adversary’s narrative falling under its own weight.” Mudd agreed that bridge figures were critically important individuals, who have spread al Qaeda’s ideology beyond the core. He observed further that the real danger was if affiliates establish a safe haven and gain ideological traction.

See HSPI’s event page for video, background resources and a biography of our speaker: http://www.gwumc.edu/hspi/events/Mudd.cfm.

About HSPI’s Policy & Research Forum Series:
HSPI's Policy & Research Forum Series spotlights cutting-edge security policy solutions and innovative research.  The Series is designed to provide thought leaders in the United States and abroad with a uniquely constructive venue in which to discuss current and future security issues and challenges.

# # #

The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) is a nonpartisan “think and do” tank whose mission is to build bridges between theory and practice to advance homeland security through an interdisciplinary approach.
End
Homeland Security Policy Institute PRs
Trending News
Most Viewed
Top Daily News



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share