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CIA Officer Accused of Multiple Rapes in Algeria
It's pretty much universally accepted that Karen Hughes was a disaster as America's face to the Islamic world. But wow... this is much, much worse. ABC News reports that a 41-year old CIA station chief in Algeria (his name has not been released) was brought home last October after accusations that he had drugged and raped at least two Muslim women. As if that's not bad enough, our man in Algeria, himself a convert to Islam, videotaped his crimes. Federal investigators are aware of at least a dozen sex tapes. They've now broadened the scope of their inquiry to include Egypt, where the station chief was posted prior to his Algeria assignment.
Abu Ghraib, anyone? Guantanamo? Just when the Obama administration is trying to repair America's image, particularly in the Muslim world (Obama only this week gave an interview to Al Arabiya), we have what could be a fresh dose of gasoline on the fire of anti-Americanism. As Isobel Coleman told ABC, "It has the potential to be quite explosive if it's not handled well by the United States government. This isn't the type of thing that's going to be easily pushed under the carpet."
Indeed, and it could become an early test of Obama's crisis-management skills.
Quite honestly, I doubt this will be much of an issue. In the Islamic world rape and abuse of women by the authorities is common. In Islam, to be raped is itself a crime, sometimes punished by death. So rape is an utter taboo.
An excellent point, but I suspect that CIA involvement might temporarily alter the prevailing cultural sensitivities to something like rape. We'll find out, in any case...
I dont see how you can say "You dont see how this will be much of a issue" and then conclude with "rape is a utter taboo." Obviously this will be a problem, coupled with the larger issue of the US miltary rape of Iraq, clearly these act's of inhospitality will leave a bad taste in the Arab's mouth.
You wouldn't think cartoons could be much of an issue either, but hey if it works for propaganda purposes it works.
This can only end well.
CIA being accused of multiple rape is no joke. It's something serious because it doesn't just hold the name of the Americans but the credibility of the CIA as well. Something must be done and this CIA officer must be taught a lesson.
The man should face a court in Algeria for his crimes in that country. It should leave a lasting impression on the CIA that they aren't untouchable.