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A Time To Betray: The Stunning Life of A CIA Agent in Iran

January 17, 2013 By 4 Comments

A Time to Betray

 

This is a true story as exhilarating and exciting  as any great spy movie, as real as today’s headlines from the Middle East, “A Time to Betray”reveals what no other previous CIA operative’s memoir possibly could: the inner workings of the notorious Revolutionary Guards of Iran, as witnessed by an Iranian man inside their ranks who spied for the American government.

It is a human story, a chronicle of family and friendships torn apart by a terror-mongering regime, and how the adult choices of three childhood mates during the Islamic Republic yielded divisive and tragic fates. And it is the stunningly courageous account of one man’s decades-long commitment to lead a shocking double life informing on the beloved country of his birth, a place that once offered the promise of freedom and enlightenment—but instead ruled by murderous violence and spirit-crushing oppression.

In the wake of an Iranian election that sparked global outrage, at a time when Iran’s nuclear program holds the world’s anxious attention, the revelations inside “A Time to Betray” could not be more powerful or timely. Now resigned from his secretive life to reclaim precious time with his loved ones, Reza Kahlili documents scenes from history with heart-wrenching clarity, as he supplies vital information from the Iran-Iraq War, the Marine barracks bombings in Beirut, the catastrophes of Pan Am Flight 103, the scandal of the Iran-Contra affair, and more a chain of incredible events that culminates in a nation’s fight for freedom that continues to this very day.

Click here to read more about “A Time to Betray.”

REZA KAHLILI is a pseudonym to protect the author’s identity

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Will the U.S stand with Israel when the Caliphate is Established?

January 31, 2012 By 16 Comments

It’s been almost a year ago to the date. On Feb 1,2011 Glenn Beck announced to the world that the RADICALS, ISLAMIST, COMMUNISTS, and SOCIALISTS,  would work together against Israel, and against capitalism, and would work together to overturn stability. Now nearly a year later their dream of establishing a Caliphate has almost come to fruition. All you have to do is read the newspapers from around the world and you notice the headlines sound more and more as if the Islamist are taking over the world. Egypt Islamist secure 75% of their Parliament. The Middle East now is closer to starting their Caliphate. Today, Tuesday January 31,2012; Egypt’s newly elected lawmakers took aim at the country’s military rulers, accusing them of trampling on democratic norms and overstepping their powers by passing laws, including a crucial one regulating presidential elections. Led by the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood movement, the parliament is the first elected since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak last February. Since its founding in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood (Hizb al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun) has profoundly influenced the political life of the Middle East. Its motto is telling: “Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. The Qur’an ( Koran ) is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.” This is the group who is eager to assert its authority in the face of the powerful military council that took power after Mubarak’s fall and is in charge of managing the country’s transition to civilian rule.

Lawmaker Mohammed el-Beltagy, a member of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, called the generals’ decision to unilaterally pass the election law politically “unjustified” and said parliament must make clear that it is the country’s sole legislative power. ”Let it be a clear message to the Egyptian street that the parliament has become the only and unchallenged legislative authority,” el-Beltagy told lawmakers. The Muslim Brotherhood will establish Shari’a Law in Egypt and when it does Egypt will be just like Iran. My concern is for the young people of Egypt who will not like this new way of life. If the Islamist take over. This WILL usher in the Caliphate that President Ahmadinejad has long been praying for, and this can only mean less freedoms for the moderates in the Middle East and more danger for Israel. The stated goal of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the radicals of Islam is to establish a worldwide Caliphate to rule under Shari’a Law, and covert all Infidels. Infidels means unbelievers. The way of the Qur’an is clear. Covert or die. A Caliphate means war will yet again likely break out and all those peace loving liberals will be disappointed because our country will be at war again. To them I say this. Isn’t it better to avoid a war with Iran by not allowing them to have nukes?

 

Today Florida votes for a GOP nominee. The U.S needs a president who will stand with Israel. A president who will stop Iran form developing Nucleaur weapons. Americans this is your time to stand firm in what you believe and vote accordingly. Every time we vote, I say it is the most important vote of my time, but this time….it really is.

 

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Obama’s Alternate Universe – Weak U.S Military Makes World a “Safer Place.”

January 9, 2012 By 1 Comment

President Barack Obama traveled to the Pentagon last Thursday to announce that the “tide of war is receding” for the United States, thereby justifying massive cuts to the U.S. military. “In short, we’ve succeeded in defending our nation, taking the fight to our enemies, reducing the number of Americans in harm’s way, and we’ve restored America’s global leadership. That makes us safer and it makes us stronger.” Mr. President what alter universe do you live in?

Iran finds itself on the front page of America’s newspapers, this time with news that the rogue regime has sentenced a U.S. citizen to death for working for the CIA and that it has started refining uranium deep inside a mountain bunker. The type of uranium not used for electricity.  In the meantime Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is launching a week-long trip through South America in order to bolster ties with his allies in the region in hopes of strengthening the country’s challenge to the United States.

This news comes just after a series of Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz–a provocative move that would cut off a quarter of the world’s energy supply and wreak havoc on the global economy. Of course, on top of this verbal threat, Iran is continuing its pursuit of nuclear weapons despite an uproar from the international community.

President Obama, though, did not mention the Iranian threat, North Korea’s new 28-year-old leader whose finger rests on a nuclear trigger, and the growing dominance of China as a regional power. In other words, the President is pursuing a strategy to cut the U.S. military by a half-trillion dollars over ten years based on the argument that the world is a safer place, yet he is totally ignoring the very real threats around the world today. Defense expert Mackenzie Eaglen explains how the military plans to cope with the resulting reduction in funding and forces, one component of which includes a “strategic pivot” from southwest Asia to East Asia in order to counter a rising China:

Pentagon leaders plan to skirt the lack of capabilities through an increased reliance on National Guard and reserve forces–the same men and women who are worn out from a decade of multiple tours overseas. DoD plans to assume more risk in the active component and the capabilities that are available immediately in the event of conflict or crisis. Examples include heavy armor brigades and tactical fighter wings.

Another tenet of the “pivot” to Asia is the transition from a military focused on manpower-intensive counterinsurgency to the light footprint doctrine of counterterrorism. Panetta has mentioned unmanned or remotely piloted aircraft, cyber, and special forces as key areas that must be protected from budget cuts. They may even get more money.

Of course, the Pentagon will do its best to answer the call to duty under the limitations that the White House imposes. But that does not mean that it will be as well-equipped as it could and should be to defend the United States, at home and abroad. As Heritage’s James Carafano writes, “It is completely unreasonable for the White House to argue the world has changed so much that we can just do all this with less.” That is especially true given the threats that are lurking around the corner from the likes of Iran, North Korea, and China. When choosing a President in 2012 Americans should ask themselves. Who understands the world we live in the most? Who understands the US constitution the best? Who will defend me, my property ad my country the best?

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Attack of US Embassy by Syrian forces Ignored by US Media.

July 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Front page of all the Arab papers today, barely a mention in the American press is the fact that Pro Syrian people storm and enter US Embassy in Syria.

In DAMASCUS: An angry mob stormed the US embassy in the Syrian capital on Monday, after Washington’s ambassador visited the flashpoint city of Hama, a hub for protests against President Bashar al-Assadâs regime.

Today there was an attack by a mob on the US embassy, a US embassy official told AFP, adding that no embassy personnel were injured although the Syrian authorities were slow in providing additional security measures.

The official said the embassy sustained some physical damage and that the crowd then moved on to the ambassadors residence.

Opposition protests were also staged overnight in several towns against Sundays opening of a national dialogue hailed by the regime but boycotted by the opposition, rights activists said.

Monday’s embassy attack comes four days after US Ambassador Robert Ford visited the central city of Hama, 210 kilometres (130 miles) north of Damascus, sparking outrage in the capital.

The embassy official said no staff were injured on Monday and were never in eminent danger,  although the Syrian government was slow to respond with extra security measures that were needed.

The Syrian government has assured us that it will provide the protection required under the Vienna Convention and we expect it to do so.

He added that a Syrian television channel had encouraged this violent demonstration, which followed protests at the embassy on Friday and Saturday calling for the ambassador’s resignation.

A senior US official on Sunday accused Damascus of orchestrating the protests over Fords trip to Hama, which the authorities slammed as a “flagrant interference in Syria’s domestic affairs.

Ford and his French counterpart Eric Chevallier both visited Hama on Thursday amid fears of a bloody crackdown after Friday prayers the next day by Assada’s forces, with tanks encircling the city.

France on Sunday summoned Syria’s envoy to Paris Lamia Shakkour over damage done to the French embassy in Damascus and a consulate in Aleppo on Saturday after Chevallier’s trip to Hama.

Foreign Minister Alain Juppes cabinet chief called her to the foreign ministry to receive  vigorous protest, ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said in a statement.

Tensions have been escalating for months between Damascus and Washington over the Syrian governments fierce response to opposition protests that erupted in mid-March, seeking to oust Assad.

Human rights groups say that since the protests broke out, the security forces have killed more than 1,300 civilians and made at least 12,000 arrests.

 

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Congressional Showdown Over the War in Libya

June 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

John Boehner invokes War Powers Act.

 

House Speaker John Boehner is warning President Barack Obama that he may be in violation of the War Powers Act if Obama refuses to ask Congress for authorization to overthrow Libyan leader Muammar Gaddhafi. (also spelled Qadhafi) For the past three months, the United States has been engaged in a war in Libya, and during that time Congress has remained largely in the dark and on the sidelines about central questions in the conflict, all while U.S. forces remain committed without congressional authorization.

In a letter to Obama today, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) sent a letter to President Barack Obama warning that the commander in chief may be in violation of the law if he refuses to ask Congress for that authorization.

In his letter, Boehner noted that the President is just days away from violating the War Powers Resolution, which maintains that, without congressional authorization, the President can deploy U.S. military forces for 90 days. In his letter, Boehner demanded that Obama provide legal justification for the operation in Libya by Friday. Though the War Powers Resolution is problematic, Congress is right to be angry and has an obligation to speak up on Libya.
Boehner noted that Friday is 90 days since U.S. forces first attacked Libyan targets as part of the NATO-led campaign to topple Qadhafi. (Gaddhafi.)

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56965.html#ixzz1PMeyGduM

Boehner also told House Republicans during a closed-door session on Tuesday 6.14.11, that GOP leaders may seek to restrict or cut off Libyan funding, although no decision has been made to do so yet, GOP sources said.

Boehner is demanding Obama formally seek authorization from Congress for the campaign or withdraw U.S. forces.

“Therefore, it would appear that in five days, the Administration will be in violation of the War Powers Resolution unless it asks for and receives authorization from Congress or withdraws all U.S. troops and resources from the mission,” Boehner said in his letter to the president.

“Since the mission began, the Administration has provided tactical operational briefings to the House of Representatives, but the White House has systematically avoided requesting a formal authorization for its action,” Boehner added.

“It has simultaneously sought, however, to portray that its actions are consistent with the War Powers Resolution. The combination of these actions has left many Members of Congress, as well as the American people, frustrated by the lack of clarity over the Administration’s strategic policies, by a refusal to acknowledge and respect the role of the Congress, and by a refusal to comply with the basic tenets of the War Powers Resolution.”

Boehner suggested the White House has made one of two determinations: “either you have concluded the War Powers Resolution does not apply to the mission in Libya, or you have determined the War Powers Resolution is contrary to the Constitution.”

Boehner asked Obama to turn over internal administration documents that House committees have asked for by Friday, including anything to do with whether Obama could order the mission without congressional approval.

“I respect your authority as Commander-in-Chief, though I remain deeply concerned the Congress has not been provided answers from the Executive branch to fundamental questions regarding the Libya mission necessary for us to fulfill our equally important Constitutional responsibilities,” Boehner said. “I sincerely hope the Administration will faithfully comply with the War Powers Resolution and the requests made by the House of Representatives, and that you will use your unique authority as our President to engage the American people regarding our mission in Libya.”

In response to Boehner’s letter, a National Security Council spokesman said, ”We are in the final stages of preparing extensive information for the House and Senate that will address a whole host of issues about our ongoing efforts in Libya.” But it’s a message Congress has heard before, and it’s not the first time in this near 90-day-old conflict that the Obama Administration has left questions about the U.S. mission in Libya unanswered.

 

Nine days after Operation Odyssey Dawn began, President Obama addressed the American people from the National Defense University to lay out his justification for the United States’ involvement in Libya’s civil war. And though, as Heritage’s James Carafano explained, “the President described the brutality of the [Muammar] Qadhafi (Gaddahfi) regime, the United States’ interests in the conflict, the limited nature of U.S. military involvement, and the role the ‘international community’ would undertake in finishing the job in Libya and rebuilding the country,” the question “What comes next?” still remained. And while the bombs drop in Tripoli, Qadhafi hunkers down, and questions about NATO’s capabilities grow, the U.S. mission has continued without congressional authorization.

It is that refusal to consult Congress that has driven the House of Representatives to take action. Ten days ago, the House voted 268-145 to demand that President Obama give more detail on U.S. policy goals in Libya. And today, those details still have not arrived. Representative Buck McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee explains Congress’ frustration:

If our fighting forces are sent into combat, Congress’ voice must be heard. Despite the fact that the White House failed to seek congressional authorization for Operation Odyssey Dawn, U.S. armed forces are continuing their participation in the NATO-led operation. It is my hope that the Obama Administration understands that this minimizes Congress’ constitutional role in matters of war and takes appropriate corrective actions.

Congress’ complaints—and its calls for answers from the White House—are justifiable. Carafano writes:

President Obama failed to consult Congress in an appropriately deliberate manner. The President has ill-served Congress, and there is no reason Congress should stand for it. As it responds, Congress should be mindful of its obligations: to uphold the Constitution, act in America’s interests, and not unduly put the lives of American allies at risk.

USA Today reports that the White House is expected to meet Boehner’s deadline, but longstanding questions that have clouded the conflict from the start will still need answers. Tomorrow, The Heritage Foundation will  host an event, “U.S. Engagement in Libya: The Way Forward,” which will discuss how the Administration should proceed in Libya and what Congress’ role should be in developing a sensible strategy for peace and transition.

After President Obama launched operations in Libya, he promised that the engagement would last “days, not weeks.” Months later, the war rages on and an easy toppling of Qadhafi’s regime has not been achieved. Though gains against Qadhafi’s forces have been made, Libyan rebels are unlikely to achieve victory any time soon, risking more civilian deaths amid a stalemated war. What is needed now is a clear path forward and appropriate congressional involvement that respects the United States Constitution and America’s commitment to its allies to achieve U.S. objectives in Libya.

 

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56965.html#ixzz1PMf819Wg

 

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A Memorial to a Fallen Soldier: Sapper Robinson

June 12, 2011 By 2 Comments

Sapper Robinson begins journey home

Australian Army Combat Engineer, Sapper Rowan Robinson, was farewelled from Afghanistan on Thursday (9 June 2011) by his comrades in a moving memorial service and ramp ceremony at Multi National Base – Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.

Sapper Robinson was remembered as an exceptional soldier and a friend to all.

The 23 year old was killed in action on 6 June 2011 during a partnered Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and Afghan National Police (ANP) mission.  

In his eulogy, the Commanding Officer of the SOTG (who cannot be named for security reasons) described Sapper Robinson as a young, dedicated soldier who was born for the profession of arms.   

“Rowan was highly motivated and had every desire to continue to serve his country for many years. Whether it was clearing a path potentially littered with IEDs (improvised explosive devices), fighting for his mates or providing over-watch, no task was too great and no request for help was ever unanswered,” CO SOTG said.

“Everything he turned his hand to produced outstanding results. Without fail he jumped at the challenge of leading our operators to their objective, risking his life so that others may live.”

Sapper Robinson was remembered during a ceremony within the SOTG compound, surrounded by his colleagues from the Incident Response Regiment (IRR), the 2nd Commando Regiment, the Special Air

Service Regiment and representatives from ISAF and Afghan National Security Force units.

After the memorial service, Sapper Robinson’s casket was placed onto a Long Range Patrol Vehicle (LRPV) by fellow engineers and led through an honour guard of soldiers from the Task Group. He was escorted onto a waiting RAAF C-130 Hercules aircraft to begin the long journey home to family and friends in Australia.

“Rowan was a man who was as selfless as he was courageous. His actions on the day he was killed led to the removal of several insurgents and the largest cache of weapons, ammunition, drugs and bomb components found this year,” CO SOTG said.

“Your country, your mates and your family are extremely proud and you will always be remembered.”

The Commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General Angus Campbell, said the work of Sapper Robinson and his fellow combat engineers was fraught with danger.

“Under heavy fire, with his mates in danger Sapper Robinson moved at great risk to himself to provide covering fire,” Major General Campbell said.

“Sapper Robinson accepted his role to protect his mates and clear the way forward. He did so with guts and determination.  He did so always leading from the front.”

“Sapper Robinson will be remembered as an excellent example of the Australian soldier who will be sadly missed by his mates, friends and family.” 

Sapper Robinson will be repatriated through RAAF Amberley and will be buried with full military honours.

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Is There Such A Thing As Islamophobia?

May 25, 2011 By 1 Comment

have to laugh whenever I hear the term ‘Islamophobia’

Phobia is defined as ‘A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear. The definitive word here is IRRATIONAL.

There has been a persistent fear about Islam (for 1,400 years to be precise), but there is nothing abnormal or irrational about it. In fact, fear of Islam is completely normal and totally rational for any sane, objective human being.  It is a natural human instinct and completely rational to fear the rapist, the murderer, the torturer, the brutal one,, the decapitator, the amputator, the mutilator, the slaver, the thief, the narcissist, the genocidist, the sexual deviant, the human trafficker, and the pedophile.

It is well documented in Islamic texts (the Koran and the Hadith, as well as the Sirah Rasul Allah) that Mohammed was a sadistic sociopath who committed each of these horrible trangressions against humanity. He did much more. Yet Islam upholds Mohammed as an example of the perfect man, al-insan al-kamil, a role model to be emulated by all Islamists.

This is why, after the Hijra, as Mohammed became the archetypal Islamic terrorist, Islam devolved into a brutal cult of subjugation and terror, exterminating all other religions on the Arabian peninsula, followed by wars of Islamic imperial conquest against the Jews of Israel, the Zoroastrians in Persia, the Hindus & Sikhs in India, the Buddhists of Afghanistan, the animists of North African, the Catholics of Spain, the Christians of Europe. All in the honor of the ‘holy’ example of Mohammed.

We must be honest and admit that Islam is an ‘ideology’ that has sanctified these crimes by making them a central part of its cannon, the deeds and dictates of Islam’s perfect man, Mohammed. Knowing the truth about todays Islamic terror, rooted in the same inspiration (the examples of Muhammed), is there really such a thing as ‘Islamophobia…the irrational fear of islam? I would have to say no. There is nothing irrational about it.

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Anti Jihadists Creed

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I am a citizen-soldier in a new war
Here to defend my land, my people, my heart, my mind, my faith, my civilization. 

I am a defender of Truth –
At times, before men;
At times, in secret struggle
Allied with a coalition of the willing.

I am a revolutionary engaged in an information war –
A counter-propagandist, counter-jihadist, et contra tyrannum.

I will not be deceived;
I will not bow down to oppression
Or be bested by those who hate freedom.

I will not be subjugated by the enemy,
For I will not submit.
Dhimmitude is not my future.

I will not renounce my faith
nor yield my culture to the evil ones,
But I will fight them in its defense
Until they are defeated.

I will use my intellect to defeat falsehood and disrupt the enemy,
Remaining vigilant in the face of subterfuge.

I will not be part of a culture of death,
But will fight for life and liberty.
For I am a warrior against Evil
Charged to spread Truth until the end of days
Aspiring to the glorious hope that awaits
When good will prevail.

My fate is thus entrusted to a Faith held dear,
By which I gather strength
For, in the end, should harm or martyrdom befall me -
I will not desert the cause.
I will fight the good fight
And look to the path of those who have gone before.

Courtesy of Jihad Spin - http://bit.ly/fQnMM8

Fatwa On Islam
http://fatwaonislam.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/JihadSubversion
http://www.facebook.com/FatwaDirectory

 

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Bin Laden; Dead and Gone, but the Spin Lives On

May 5, 2011 By 5 Comments

The War of Words in the Wake of Bin Laden’s Death

Is there a difference between discussing the political impact of an event like Osama bin Laden’s death versus politicizing it? I would say there is. Ever since the killing of Bin Laden I have witnessed the politicizing, and posturing of the death of Bin Laden by both the Right and the Left.  Is it any surprise that the spin doctors are hard at work after what is widely considered a triumph for America in the war on terror? The republicans secretly worry this president will gain brownie points with the less informed public who get their information from the drive by media, while the left is ready with an assertive narrative of how ‘the president was so courageous in ordering the kill”  I’m sure they are licking their chops as they ponder how they can better use this in the coming political battle for president in 2012.

Who is the real hero?

I ask you; what was so courageous on the part of the president? Was it he who was out there laying his life on the line? Was he the one who would forever be reminded of the blood and guts he left splattered all over that compound in Pakistan? Did President Obama once concern himself with a buddy who was along side him on this dangerous mission, asking himself; “would I make it back alive? Will we be successful? Did he ask himself “will I live to see my family or loved ones ever again?” No. The true heroes here are the warriors, the soldiers whether they were Navy seals, or which ever branch of the government they were. THEY ARE THE TRUE HEROES. The brave ones. The courageous ones to whom all credit should be given. I didnt really hear a lot of that on TV lately.  They mention the ‘secret 6 Navy Seal Team’ but so much is being made of the presidents bravery when in fact it takes very little to do what he did. Afterall he knew for sure that OBL was in that compound. There was no guess work there.

Obama takes the credit.

It is ironic to see President Obama taking credit for policies that worked which were put in place by President George W Bush. Especially since those are the very same policies this president wanted to and still wants to eradicate. Truth be known if it were up to this president he would have never had this triumph. You see it has come to light that it was information obtained through the methods of ‘enhanced interrogation’ in Guantanamo Bay which netted the information the government needed to find, and then watch for the right moment for the kill. The operation has been in effect for four years. That’s right. This means since before Presdient Obama was in office. In reality this mission was started under President Bush administration and it just so happens that it came to a culmination now while Presdient Obama is presdient;. So please let’s stop fawning over this president and give credit where credit is due. I’ll let you decide that. As for me? Thank you to our brave men who undertook this dangerous mission with such precision. May God bless you always, and thank you Leon Panetta, and last but not least THANK YOU President Bush.


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Libyan Government Freed Four N.Y. Times Journalists

March 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

NYT caught in the crossfire

Six days after they were captured while covering the conflict between government and rebel forces in the eastern city of Ajdabiya. They were released into the custody of Turkish diplomats and crossed safely into Tunisia in the late afternoon, from where they provided a harrowing account of their captivity.  They entered Lybia through the eastern region of  over the Egyptian border. None had visas to cover the insurrection. They were detained in Ajdabiya by forces loyal to Qaddafi.

The journalists; Anthony Shadid, The Times’s Beirut bureau chief, a Pulitzer Prize winner for  international reporting; two photographers, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario, and a reporter and videographer, Stephen Farrell, who in 2009 was captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan and was rescued by British commandos. This was an experienced crew, but nothing could prepare them for being in the clutches of the enemies hand.

The four had been covering the insurrection near Ajdabiya last Tuesday when they decided that it was getting too dangerous for them to continue.  Their driver, inadvertently had driven into a checkpoint manned by forces loyal to Colonel Qaddafi. By the time they knew they were in trouble, it was too late.

“I was yelling to the driver, ‘Keep driving! Don’t stop! Don’t stop!’ ” Mr. Hicks recalled. “I knew that the consequences of being stopped would be very bad.”

The driver, Mohamed Shaglouf, is still missing. Hind sight is 20/20.  If the driver had tried to drive straight through, Mr. Hicks said, “ the vehicle certainly would have been fired on. ” The soldiers flung the doors to their sedan wide open so quickly that they had little if any chance to get away. As they were being pulled from the car, rebels fired on the checkpoint, sending the four running for their lives. “You could see the bullets hitting the dirt,” Mr. Shadid said.

All four made it safely behind a small, one-room building, where they tried to take cover.  They told all four to empty their pockets and ordered them on the ground. And that is when they thought they were seconds from death.

“I heard in Arabic, ‘Shoot them,’ ” Mr. Shadid said. “And we all thought it was over.”

Then another soldier spoke up. “One of the others said: ‘No, they’re American. We can’t shoot them,’ ” Said Mr. Hicks

The soldiers grabbed whatever they could get their hands on to tie up their prisoners: wire, an electrical cord from a home appliance, a scarf. One removed Ms. Addario’s shoes, pulled out the laces and used them to bind her ankles. Then one punched her in the face and laughed.

“Then I started crying,” she recalled. “And he was laughing more.” One man grabbed her breasts, the beginning of a pattern of humiliating behavior she would experience from her captors over the next 48 hours.

“There was a lot of groping,” she said. “Every man who came in contact with us basically felt every inch of my body short of what was under my clothes.”

Their captors held them in Ajdabiya until the fighting with the rebels died down. Soldiers put the four in a vehicle and drove them out of the city around 2 a.m. One threatened to decapitate Mr. Hicks. Another stroked Ms. Addario’s head and told her repeatedly she was going to die.

“He was caressing my head in this sick way, this tender way, saying: ‘You’re going to die tonight. You’re going to die tonight,’ ” she said

Their vehicle stopped repeatedly at checkpoints, each time allowing for a new group of soldiers to land a fresh punch or a rifle butt in their backs. The first night they spent in the back of a vehicle. The second night they spent in a jail cell with dirty mattresses on the ground, a bottle to urinate in and a jug of water to drink.

On the third day they were on the move again, this time to an airfield. Mr. Shadid, who speaks Arabic, had overheard one of the soldiers saying something about a plane, and the four assumed they would be flown somewhere. As they were loaded on the plane they were blindfolded and their hands were bound tightly with plastic handcuffs.

They landed on Thursday in Tripoli, where they were handed over to Libyan defense officials. They were transferred to a safe house, where they said they were treated well. They were each allowed a brief phone call.

That was the first time since their capture two and a half days earlier that their whereabouts became known to their families and colleagues at The Times.

Their disappearance had kicked off an intensive search effort. The Times canvassed hospitals and morgues, beginning a grim process-of-elimination search. The paper also turned to a variety of people on the ground who might have heard or seen something, security contractors for Western businesses, workers for nongovernmental organizations. It also notified American diplomats.

The State Department got word by phone to Jeffrey D. Feltman, the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs on Thursday afternoon that the journalists were safe , this information came from an aide to Abdullah al-Senussi, the head of Libyan military intelligence and the brother-in-law of Colonel Qaddafi, Mr. Feltman said. The arrival of the four journalists in Tripoli was just the beginning of three days of frustrating, and tense negotiations conducted by a State Department consular officer, Yael Lempert. Libyan officials kept changing their demands for the conditions of the journalists’ release, and an allied coalition, including the United States, began bombing Tripoli to enforce a no-fly zone. Several Libyan agencies were involved in the negotiation, which added to the confusion.

First the Libyan government demanded that an American diplomat come to Tripoli to take the journalists, State Department officials said. The United States, which closed its embassy in Libya last month, refused. After initially resisting, the Libyans agreed to allow the Turkish Embassy to act as an intermediary.

The release was scheduled for Sunday but was delayed until Monday because of the bombing. The four were turned over to Turkish diplomats Monday afternoon, and were driven to the border with Tunisia.

While Monday was a day for celebration and relief at The Times, other news organizations covering the conflicts in Libya and elsewhere in the Arab world have not been so lucky. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 13 journalists are either missing or in government custody. The missing include four from Al Jazeera, two from Agence France-Presse and one from Getty Images. In addition, six Libyan journalists are unaccounted for, the group said.

Others have died. A Libyan broadcaster was killed Saturday while covering a battle near Benghazi. A cameraman for Al Jazeera was killed in the same area on March 12, the first death of a journalist in Libya during the current conflict. Now that the four are safe Bill Keller the Executive Editor of the NY Times said  “We’re particularly indebted to the government of Turkey, which intervened on our behalf to oversee the release of our journalists and bring them to Tunisia,”  Assitance was also granted throughout the week by diplomats from the United States and United Kingdom. Story Source

 

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