Putin and 9/11

Republican columnist Ben Stein told CNN two weeks ago that no one in his right mind blames George Bush for 9/11. Much of the Arab world, then, must be crazy. According to the IHT, it is conventional wisdom in Egypt and other Muslim countries that the U.S. attacked itself on Sept. 11 so that it would have a reason to go after Arabs and help Israel. In Russia, the main state TV station, Channel One, will air a 9/11 conspiracy film tomorrow night during prime time. The documentary, Zero: An Investigation into 9/11, suggests that the U.S. military blew up the Twin Towers in a controlled demolition. This is heavy stuff. Russia is changing the rules in the propaganda war against the U.S. To use the words of Kishore Mahbubani, Russia is snapping back against the West. Before long, Mahbubani added, other forces will do the same. Anyone in his right mind will want to pay close attention. [Czech Republic 2001 International Herald Tribune FT Financial Times Izvestia theory]