More Good Advice for Barack Obama: From Islamist Groups This Time

President-Elect Barack Obama has no shortage of advice.

Yesterday, we learned that Iran's President Ahmadinejad told Obama that "...the expectation is that the unjust actions of the past 60 years..." will be end, and that "...The great civilization-building and justice-seeking nation of Iran would welcome major, fair and real changes, in policies and actions, especially in this region...."

Today, it's the Islamic State of Iraq's own Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, "urging the 'new rulers of the White House' and presidential allies from 'Christian nations' to remove their forces from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Muslim regions." (CNN)

Sounds like Abu Omar al-Baghdadi wants Obama to 'give peace a chance.'

I'm dubious about al-Baghdadi's advice. For starters, it looks like the "Islamic State of Iraq" is a sort of front for Al Qaeda in Iraq. Abu Omar al-Baghdadi says he's the leader of the "Islamic State of Iraq." The American military says he's an actor, who gives the "Islamic State of Iraq" a voice.

Al-Baghdadi offered some hardly-surprising insights:

• The global financial crisis happened because of wars "launched in Muslim countries"
• Western civilization is
  • "Nothing but a civilization made of cardboard"
  • Built on gambling and usury
  • "Robbed" Muslim lands
  • "Oppressed" the residents of Muslim lands

Sounds like Professor Churchill would love this guy.

A Sunni insurgent group, the Mujahedeen Army, had advice for President-Elect Obama, too: Get troops out of Iraq. Now. Or else Obama will face "days that will be more difficult than the nightmare experienced by his predecessor."

The Associated Press says, "Obama has called for an increase in forces in Afghanistan and a withdraw of combat troops from Iraq in 16 months, but said that the time period wasn't rigid and could be adjusted."

It's Different, When You're in Charge

I've said it before: Things look different when you finally get to sit behind the desk.

I think there's a good chance that President Barack Obama will recognize this advice from President Ahmadinejad, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, and the Mujahedeen Army for what it is: more standard-issue propaganda from people I'd rather call Islamist than Islamic.

At least, I hope so.

In the news:

• "Insurgents to Obama: Pull troops from Iraq"
  Associate Press (November 7, 2008)
• "Militant's message to 'new White House' "
  CNN (November 7, 2008)