THE TENSION: Anonymous Sources: Mohammed Exaggerated Claims

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
Open thread:

The Associated Press today ran a story attempting to discredit some of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's claims as detailed in official government transcripts. While it is easy to believe KSM exaggerated some claims, it is also easy to believe his confession must be discredited because it fails to fit a media template which ultimately sees traditional America as evil and blames the Bush administration for many of the problems in the world.

Instead of letting the information flow from the tribunal, the AP story simply parlays one reporter's speculations into news.

Mohammed's claims that he was responsible for dozens of successful, foiled and planned attacks in the past 15 years relies on what AP calls a loose definition of the word "responsible." Officials say the 9/11 mastermind was key to some plots but a bit player in others.

The officials attempting to downplay Mohammed's claims spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

Current and former government officials say the CIA spent hundreds -- if not thousands -- of hours interrogating Mohammed and would have heard him describe in great detail precisely what he claims to have done in each plot. The transcript provided a snippet of his claims, officials said.

A CIA official declined to analyze Mohammed's statements. In the Defense Department transcript, Mohammed said his statement was not made under duress.

The CIA has denied cliams that it used torture on Mohammed. "The agency's terrorist interrogation program has been conducted lawfully, with great care and close review, producing vital information that has helped disrupt plots and save lives," spokesman Paul Gimigliano said.

Full Transcript: Guantanamo Hearing (PDF)

In another story, the Associated Press reports Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's capture four years ago didn't shut down al-Qaida or bring the Americans to Osama bin Laden. But if his mega-confession is to be believed, his arrest was a crushing blow to bin Laden's plans for even more deadly attacks in the wake of 9/11.

His expertise was never replaced and his absence has contributed to the group's transition from a fear-inspiring attack force to a hate-filled voice on the Internet, urging others to wage terror against the West.

"In terms of competence for managing, planning and executing terrorist attacks, KSM was the best in al-Qaida," said Rohan Gunaratna, a terrorism expert and author of a book on al-Qaida. "That's why Osama bin Laden and other important al-Qaida leaders entrusted him with so many operations."