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"We will implement the rule of God on earth by the tip of the sword." These words are among many coming from the pen and tongue of one of Islamic terrorism's leading proponents. Anwar al-Awlaki (Anwar Nasser Abdullah al-c Awlaqi) is not as well known in the West as Osama bin Laden, but for growing numbers of radical and radicalizing Muslims, he is a beacon. Osama bin Laden does not speak fluent English, but Awlaki is American born of Yemeni parents in Las Cruces, New Mexico and is fluent in both English and Arabic. He is an inspiring, clever orator who speaks directly to the concerns of young Muslims in the West, be they converts or born-Muslims like himself. So powerful is his appeal that he has been described as the "bin Laden of the Internet."2 In more practical terms, he was given the rank of a regional commander of Al -Qaeda in Yemen in late 2009.3
A FORT HOOD TIE-IN
With roots in Yemen, Awlaki is currently holed up in an obscure comer of that country. However, whatever cover he may have sought there came to an end late in 2009 following the massacre at Fort Hood when it was revealed that the gunman, Maj or Nidal Malik Hasan, had been in close contact with him. At least eighteen emails passed between the pair from December 2008 to June 2009.4 After the massacre, Awlaki justified Hasan's actions, saying, "Because the goal was targeted by him [Nidal Hasan], and it was a military target inside the United States, there is no dispute about it [being right]."5 He went on record praising Hasan at length:
Nidal Hassan is a hero. He is a man of conscience who could not bear living the contradiction of being a Muslim and serving in an army that is fighting against his own people. . . . Any decent Muslim cannot live, understanding properly his duties towards his Creator and his fellow Muslims, and yet serve as a US soldier. The US is leading the war against terrorism, which in reality is a war against Islam. Its army is directly invading two Muslim countries and indirectly occupying the rest through its stooges. . . .
Nidal opened fire on soldiers who...