March 28, 2024
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Terrorism In The Army

Was Hasan’s Rampage Premeditated?

Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan
Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan

WBAL is reporting that soldiers who witnessed the shooting rampage at Fort Hood claim that Nidal Malik Hasan shouted “Allahu Akbar!” before opening fire. The phrase means “God is great” in Arabic. Hasan is an American citizen of Jordanian parents and a practicing Muslim.

While base officials are claiming there were not problems with Hasan in the past, USA Today is reporting that the shooter was under Federal investigation for several months.

U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Austin, after a briefing with military officials said, “He took a lot of extra classes in weapons training, which seems a little odd for a psychiatrist.”

Hasan apparently did not fare well with his military grades while stationed at Walter Reed Medical Center and was not happy in Ft. Hood. He also had spoken vocally about his opposition to the military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.

McCaul also stated that officials planned to interview Hasan to try to determine for sure that he was not working with foreign agents. “From an intelligence standpoint, that’s key, finding out if he talked to anyone overseas,” McCaul said.

Hasan had come to the attention of federal law enforcement officials at least six months ago because of Internet postings that discussed suicide bombings and other threats, according to a federal law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case.

The official said investigators were trying to confirm that Hasan was the author of the postings, one of which was a blog that equates suicide bombers with a soldier throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his comrades. One of the officials said federal search warrants were being drawn up to authorize seizure of Hasan’s computer.

What do you think? Renegade soldier? Domestic terrorism?

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