Issue X Of 'Inspire,' AQAP's English-Language Magazine, Includes Further Strategies For Lone-Wolf Attacks, And A Call To Assassinate President Obama And Other World Leaders – A Review

Introduction

Late on February 28, 2013, the jihadi forum Al-Fida' released Issue X of the English-language Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) magazine Inspire (for a complete list of MEMRI reports and analyses of Issues I-IX, see Appendix).

The first page of the issue features images of all the covers of previous issues, along with the date "Spring 2013" and text reading "More Coming Soon From Inspire." This page appears to have been intended as a preview.

First page of Issue X of Inspire.

What appears to be the actual cover page of the magazine, which has 60 pages, features jihadis lowering an American flag and raising the black Al-Qaeda flag outside what MEMRI research shows to be the Tunisian stock exchange building. The text on it reads: "We Are All Usama – America you have passed on the message of Sheikh Usama that you are truly the enemy of Islam."

Cover of Issue X of Inspire

"Open Source Jihad" Section: On Assassinating President Obama And Other World Leaders

This issue's most important item is on page 57, in the "Open Source Jihad" section, under the title "Short Answers For Assumed Questions." the magazine writes in response to a question about assassinating "the US president" and other world leaders:

"...It is easy, if you ask Allah and be true to Him. These people have many weak points, especially during ceremonies, parties, and election campaigns. Bare [sic] in mind, they come to and leave from these parties, therefore, there must be some means of transport which is a chance for surveillance or even action.

It continues: "If you think you are unable, then you have easy targets like Bush, Bill Clinton, Colin Powell, or Condoleezza Rice. Of course you can also kill Sarkozy and Tony Blair. It is now easy to reach these guys, especially that they aren't in office anymore." (See also the "Open Source Jihad" section, below.)

Image from Issue X of Inspire, page 57

Issue X also touches on domestic U.S. matters, including Trayvon Martin, the Florida teen shot to death last year, and gay marriage.

Also, as in previous issues, there is an emphasis on "lone-wolf jihad."[1]

This issue's table of contents, on Page 1, notes that the magazine has a new email address: "Note the change in our public key – inscont@yahoo.com and pirezine@yahoo.com."

It is noteworthy that since the release of the magazine's last issue, in May 2012, many of the AQAP leaders who have appeared in previous issues have been killed.

The following is a review of the contents of Issue X of Inspire:

Table Of Contents

Article: "In Defense of the Honor of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him"

This issue's first article, titled "In Defense of the Honor of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him," on page 4, focuses on "the film produced in America which insults our Messenger Muhammad." It called on Muslims in the West "to fulfill their Islamic obligation. They are obliged to defend the Prophet… for they are more capable of crushing the enemy at his heart."

The article goes on to praise the Benghazi attack in which U.S. Ambassador Stevens was killed, saying, "All should strive together towards one goal; expelling US embassies from Muslim lands, persevering in demonstrations and protests, as has happened in a number of Muslim nations. Their embassies should be torched like the zealous brothers did in Egypt and Yemen. And whenever a Muslim gets hold of US ambassadors or delegates, he has the best example in the act of the grandsons of Omar Mukhtar in Libya – who slaughtered the US ambassador – may Allah reward them. Let the step of expelling embassies and consulates be a milestone to free the Muslim lands from the American domination and arrogance."

"Questions We Should Be Asking"

Like other issues of Inspire, this issue includes "News Flash," "Inspire Reactions," and "Questions We Should Be Asking" sections. The questions in the latter section ask: "Why do we witness an increase in the number of green on blue attacks – Afghan police attacking invading forces?"; "An apple fell from a tree, and Newton discovered the law of gravity; thousands of martyrs fell in Palestine, Syria and Burma. Haven't Muslims discovered any new law? (from Syrian protestors)"; "Imams killed in Mombasa, Imams killed in Lagos, Imams killed in Bamako. Is this the crusaders' new strategy in Africa?"; and "How is America planning to police the world while it can't control guns in its country? 'NRA', ha?"

Articles By Al-Qaeda Leaders From Previous Issues Of Inspire

This issue also includes old articles published in previous issues of Inspire by Al-Qaeda leaders, some of them deceased: Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Anwar Al-Awlaki, Abu Yahya Al-Libi, and others.

"Inspire Responses – Responding To Inquiries"

As in previous issues, also included is a section, on Page 10, titled "Inspire Responses – Responding To Inquiries" for answering readers' questions submitted by email using encryption codes provided by the magazine.

The first question, sent by "Ramzan Ali," read: "Assalam Aleikum brothers in Inspire Magazine. Is the idea of individual jihad that effective? How does a small operation affect powerful states?" The response read, in part:

"...These operations are advantageous in several ways:

"The targets are many; hotels, commercial buildings, wooden residences, forests and kuffars' plantations...
"It moves the war into the enemy's territory just like they kill our Muslim brothers and sisters in the Islamic countries, destroying their houses and burning down their plantations....
"Numerous operations could be done in one day by the very same individual.
"Spreading of insecurity among the population, thus more government sectors are affected....

"We call all Muslims in the West in general and in the U.S., U.K., France, Denmark, Norway and Italy in particular to embrace this new tactic..."

Poem By Samir Khan

This issue includes, on page 12, a poem penned by the magazine's original editor, "the martyr" Samir Khan, [2] titled "The Dust Will Never Settle Down."

Westerners "Wanted Dead Or Alive"

A double page, 14-15, titled "Yes We Can" with the catchphrase "A bullet a day keeps the infidel away" featured a "Wanted Dead or Alive" poster with the names and photos of Carsten Luste, Terry Jones, Kurt Westergaard, Girt [sic] Wilders, Lars Vilks, Stéphane Charbonnie, Flemming Rose, Morris Swadiq, and Salman Rushdie. Also listed were Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Molly Norris, but without photos.

Image from Issue X of Inspire, page 15

"Brother 'Askar, Abu Yazeed Al-Qatary" – Inspire Writer Who Worked With Samir Khan

One of this issue's most important articles, "Brother 'Askar, Abu Yazeed Al-Qatary," on page 21, focused on an Inspire writer who had worked with Samir Khan. According to the article, Brother 'Askar was from Yemen, grew up in Qatar, and studied in the U.K. It added that he had authored the official eulogy for Samir Khan that was published in Issue IX of Inspire, and that he died when "struck by a tank projectile."

"Brother 'Ashkhar" and Samir Khan, from Inspire issue X, page 21

"The Jihadi Experiences" By Abu Mus'ab Al-Suri – Continuing Series

"The Jihadi Experiences," on page 22, is Inspire's continuing series by Abu Mus'ab Al-Suri,[3] who since the release of Issue IX of the magazine, has reportedly been released from prison in Syria.[4] As stated in MEMRI's June 2011 report, Al-Qaeda Military Strategist Abu Mus'ab Al-Suri's Teachings on Fourth-Generation Warfare (4GW), Individual Jihad and the Future of Al-Qaeda, "the articles by Al-Suri in Inspire have actually been taken word for word and translated directly from Brynjar Lia's 2008 book about him, Architect of Global Jihad. In the book, Lia, a research professor at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment, included an English translation of two key chapters from Al-Suri's The Global Islamic Resistance Call. All the articles are part of a series titled, "The Jihadi Experiences [The Schools of Jihad]."[5]

A Letter From The Blind Sheikh On His Mistreatment In Prison

In a continuation of previous issues' sections on Muslim prisoners in U.S. prisons, Issue X includes, on page 28, a letter from Omar Abd Al-Rahman, the "Blind Sheikh." In the letter, he describes in detail his mistreatment in prison, noting: "The prison wardens... force me to wash my underwear. I soak, wash, rinse, and hang it, I find it hard!... Surely, they will kill me...!"

He adds, "No one sees what they add in my food, my drink! They could use a slow method to kill me, they could poison my food or medicine or inject me with something. They could drug me with something which would kill me or drive me crazy."

Letter by the Blind Sheikh, page 22 of Issue X of Inspire

Malcom X Quotes

Also noteworthy in this issue of Inspire is the inclusion of quotes by Nation of Islam leader Malcolm X, on page 26; the quotes and his photo are under the headline "Islam – The Solution to Racism."

The next page features photos of a young Trayvon Martin, the teen fatally shot in Florida in February 2012, captioned "Field Negro," and of President Obama, captioned "House Negro."

Images from Issue X of Inspire, page 27

Exclusive: Adam Gadahn Interview Extract

An "Inspire Exclusive" in this issue is an "extract from the promised interview 'The Arab Intifada'" with American Al-Qaeda operative Adam Gadahn, on pages 36-38, accompanied by a never-before-seen photo of him holding a laptop. As noted in MEMRI reports, Gadahn has published articles in previous issues of Inspire under the penname "Abu Suhail."

In the section of the article addressed to "those calling to Islam and jihad in general, and those working in jihadi media on the internet in particular," Gadahn says: "This is your day, so rise to the challenge and become a part of history in the making. We mustn't miss this golden opportunity to bring the message of Tawheed and Jihad to a region and a world emerging from under the dark shroud of dictatorships and police states, and we must make every effort to reach out to Muslims both through new media like Facebook and Twitter as well as the traditional broadcast and print media preferred by the older generations; and we should fully acquaint ourselves with both the people to whom we are reaching out as well as [with] the methodology and cause to which we are inviting them, so that we are able to hone our methods, refine out techniques and spread our message in an intelligent and educational fashion accessible to all sectors, sections, levels and factions of the Ummah."

Image from Issue X of Inspire, page 36

The magazine notes about this "extract" that it is from "the promised interview 'The Arab Intifada,' which we were not able to release for timing reasons, may Allah reward brother Adam Gadahn for his efforts in jihad and da'wah."

"A Nation Standing On No Values" – Gay Marriage

The next page, 39, which is titled "A Nation With No Values," features a photo of Obama with a pro-gay-marriage quote, and a photo of the wedding ceremony of "Barney Franks [sic], gay Congressman, symbol of the American dream."

"We Are All Usama" – "We Will Show Them How We Burst... Hear Us Very Well Barrack Obama"

The cover story, "We Are All Usama," pages 42-45, is by Yahya Ibrahim, the magazine's editor in chief. The graphic notes, "We will Show Them How We Burst, Hear Us Very Well Barrack Obama."

Image from Issue X of Inspire, pp 42-43

"To The Knights Of Lone Jihad"

The article "To the Knights of Lone Jihad," on page 46, is adapted from a lecture by Sheikh Harith An-Nadhary, aka Muhammad Al-Murshidi, titled "Mujahideen in the Cities." Al-Nadhary also published an article, "My Story with Al-Awlaki," in Issue IX. [vi]

As in previous issues, there is an emphasis on "lone-wolf jihad." In his article, Al-Nadhari told "the knights of lone jihad": "You are lethal! You are Devastating! You are the knight who strikes the enemy's heart, penetrating his armor, exposing his vulnerabilities. You are the David who cuts down the Goliath. This unique heroic act can only be performed by you, with steadfast determination, unfaltering courage, and rock-solid resolution. Few are selected by Allah for this purpose."

Image from Issue X of Inspire, page 47

Promotion For New Al-Malahim Video

Page 48 of Issue X promotes a new Al-Malahim video "with English subtitles," and includes images from the video showing Anwar Al-Awlaki, drones, a still from another AQAP video announcing a bounty for the head of U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Gerald M. Feirstein,[7] and Nakoula Basseley Nakoula (aka Sam Bacile) the writer, producer, and promoter of the Innocence of Muslims video.

Image from Issue X of Inspire, p. 48

"Open Source Jihad" Section

As in previous issues, a section in Issue X, starting on page 49, is devoted to Open Source Jihad; this issue includes articles on "Torching Parked Vehicles," "Causing Road Accidents," and "You Ask, We Answer." The title image is of a highway and what appears to be a Greyhound bus.

Image from Issue X of Inspire, page 49

"OSJ Torching School"

The article "Torching Parked Vehicles," on page 51 which is headed "OSJ Torching School," by "Ibnul Irhab," explains how easy it is to set cars on fire, noting that "the West should taste some burning."

"OSJ School For Road Accidents"

"AQ Chef," author of the well-known articles "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of your Mom," "Destroying Buildings "and "It is of your freedom to ignite a firebomb," writes for this issue an article titled "Causing Road Accidents" that "it's time to visit Dad's garage."

He says that "Sunday nights" are the best time for "causing road accidents," and explains the physics and the how-to of doing so using "lubricative oil" and homemade "tire bursters."

Image from Issue X of Inspire, page 54

In a sidebar on page 55 titled "Why Accidents?" AQ Chef explains: "The goal is Inshallah that if enough Muslims fulfill their obligations of Jihad¸ the Kuffar and their insurance companies will be so sick of the terror caused and money wasted by these simple operations that they will press their government to stop the tyranny against Muslims. These operations come under the umbrella of deterrence operations..."

"Open Source Consultancy – You Ask, We Answer"

A subsection titled "Open Source Consultancy – You Ask, We Answer," on page 56, notes in a sidebar: "You can send your question to AQ via the emails provided in the Contact Page below. It is your right to ask, our duty to answer."

Under the title "What Is Your Profession," which is "dedicated to give simple guidance for those who are willing to help in the Global Jihad," the page advises "an experienced doctor" to "create a lethal poison... manufacture an anthrax, and give the muhahideen medical advice" and an "active journalist" to "expose Western lies."

In another question on the next page, under the heading "Short Answers For Assumed Questions," the magazine answers a request for guidance "to carry out a big operation." It says: "Small operations occupy the enemy's time. Hitting him in his backyard drives him crazy. So these small operations of today are the stepping stones of tomorrow's victory, by the Grace of Allah. Rely on Allah, and answer His Call; Jihad."

"I Want To Assassinate The U.S. President"

Another question states, "I want to assassinate the U.S. President, French President and British Prime Minister." (For more, see Introduction, above).

"The Lone Mujahid Pocket Book" – Released Two Days After Issue X Of Inspire

The bottom of page 57 notes to readers, "Do not miss your copy of Lone Mujahid Pocket book." This exclusive publication was released March 2, 2013, two days after the release of Issue X of Inspire, by the Al-Malahim Foundation, AQAP's media wing publication.

According its cover page, the publication is "a step to step [sic] guide on how to become a successful lone mujahid." The content of the guide, which, like this issue of Inspire, was published by the leading jihadi forum Al-Fida', was gleaned from previous issues of Inspire. The guide's 64 pages provide detailed instructions on how to torch parked vehicles, cause car accidents, start forest fires, destroy buildings, and make bombs using household materials.

One section of the guide, titled "Classical Irahb [sic]" ("Classical Terror") deals with different types of firearms, offering tips on their effective use, while its "Special Consultancy" section provides, among other things, advice to "lone mujahideen" living in the U.S. on how they can protect themselves from law enforcement authorities while conducting terror operations. Other ideas presented in this section include "guidance for those who are willing to help in the global jihad," such as doctors, who are encouraged to create lethal poisons, including anthrax, and journalists, who are encouraged to exploit their position in order to provide the mujahideen with surveillance reports. This section also covers how a mujahid can safely communicate with other individuals by using the "Asrar Al-Mujahideen" encryption program.

"The Battalion Of Terror"

A page titled "The Battalion of Terror," pages 58-59, is aimed at "you and you alone – the [would-be] terrorist next door." It is aimed at inciting readers to carry out lone-wolf attacks.

Image from Issue X of Inspire, pages 58-59

"How To Communicate With Us"

As in every other issue of Inspire, this issue too includes a "How To Communicate With Us" section, on page 59. The page gives the magazine's new email address, and provides readers with Asrar El Moujahedeen 2.0 encryption coding. A newer version of this encryption software was released just weeks ago.[8]

"Your Blood Won't Be Wasted"

The last page assures readers that their jihad efforts will not be in vain, telling them "Your blood won't be wasted.

* Steven Stalinsky is the Executive Director of MEMRI; R. Sosnow is head editor at MEMRI.

Appendix: MEMRI Reports On Issues I-IX of Inspire

Issue IX

MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 4694, Editor Yahya Ibrahim in Inspire IX: 'Our Capabilities and Skills Have Developed… [Such that They Are Ready] to Be Transferred Now to Virginia', May 3, 2012

MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 4693, Article in Inspire IX Enumerates the Traits of the Successful Urban Assassin, May 3, 2012

MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 4692, In Posthumous Rant in Inspire IX, Anwar Al-'Awlaki Speaks of Personal Experiences with U.S. Law Enforcement, May 3, 2012

MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 4690, AQAP Mufti in Inspire IX: Al-'Awlaki's Death Only Serves to Strengthen the Ummah's Resolve to Continue Jihad, May 3, 2012

MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 4689, Inspire IX Article Offers Help in Carrying Out One-Man Jihad Operations, May 3, 2012

MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 4688, AQAP's Inspire IX Features Last Statements of American Jihadi Samir Khan, May 3, 2012

MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 4687, In 'Inspire' Issue IX, Sheikh Harith Al-Nadari Describes Anwar Al-'Awlaki's Premonition Of His Own Death, May 2, 2012