İyad el-BaghdadiVerified account

These were not just "war supporters". They were thought leaders, opinion makers. They didn't just support war, they sold its narrative.

We were dangerous others. We were backward. We were subhuman. We had to be civilized. We had to be occupied. We... had to defend ourselves.

The best way to radicalize someone isn't to teach them to hate, but to convince them that they're under a severe existential threat.

They had the pulpit and they sold conflict. Then get off scot-free. Millions suffered, and they're still celebrated as public intellectuals.

So I have to make this confession. I cannot be neutral about these people. Or about those who defend them. Yes, it's personal.

Sorry. I'm only human.

Five years ago I wrote a very personal piece about this. It's still in blog form, here: http://www.el-baghdadi.com/index.php/contacts/48-articles/articles/72-stand-up-to-the-fear-mongers …

@iyad_elbaghdadi Harris sold no wars. Also you own your own radicalization. Not others. If words radicalized you then that's on you.

@iyad_elbaghdadi Iraq war was wrong. But, no Muslim lives lost before in Iraq? How many thousands did Saddam gas in marshes of Basra?

@iyad_elbaghdadi I understand the anger, but not why it led you to become a jihadi. Why not a socialist? Or a liberal democrat?

@blancmarc20 @iyad_elbaghdadi He explained that he did come to reject the jihadi path.

@issagaro @iyad_elbaghdadi Yes, which means he's become one of my suggested alternatives. So why not initially? (No personal slur intended)

@blancmarc20 Thought you had missed part of thread. yes good question. And appreciate eloquence and honesty from @iyad_elbaghdadi