The strange story behind the ‘Khorasan’ group’s name

Washington Post ^ | September 25, 2014 | Adam Taylor

[C19fan]

What's in a name? When you're an Islamist extremist group believed to pose an existential threat to the Western world, everything. In the past few months, we've seen the strange and somewhat revealing saga of what to call the group alternatively referred to as ISIS, ISIL, the Islamic State and Daesh.

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While there have been reports of groups in Pakistan taking on the Khorasan label, analysts cast doubt that the term is being widely used within Syria to refer to any distinct group. “There have been no jihadis in Syria or [Jabhat al-Nusra] to use that name when referring to themselves," Zelin said. "Some online jihadis have even characterized it as laughable."

[shoff]

Put yourself in his shoes. You can’t call them Al-Qaeda, you would prefer not to let people make the connection between the black flag and Bin Laden, Taliban, Boston bomber and ISIS. What choice do you have? Call them Khorasan. More info at the link

[GOPJ]

"The [Khorasan group] is al-Qaeda, and there are no indications that they have split from al-Qaeda," Neumann explains. "Jabhat al-Nusra is al-Qaeda's official affiliate in Syria, and this means — de facto — that they would be part of Nusra."

Among some analysts, there's anger at what they see as a misleading use of the term. "[The name] is clearly U.S.-originated," van Ostaeyen said, later adding that he believed that the United States "blew up this story" to justify its attacks on Jabhat al-Nusra. "It’s cute Pentagon is literally making up new group called ‘Khurasan’ when it’s just AQ AfPak/Iran guys in [Jabhat al-Nusra]," Zelin tweeted after the strikes against the group were announced.

Lies designed to fool the American people - much like the fake video excuse of Benghazi. Was Benghazi connected in some way to Iran, Pakistan and China?

[Menehune56]

I also remember their absurd terminology “Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia” to avoid admitting the obvious.

[GOPJ]

entities which use this new term are actively colluding with the Obama administration in a deception of the tax paying public. Words are power: do not use the terminology of the enemy.

Important point jaijin - thanks for sharing.

[Viennacon]

Its as imaginary as the stupid video excuse for Benghazi. Another bogie for Obola

[livius]

That’s true, but the symbolic implications of the name are even more disturbing. Not that there’s anything about this that isn’t disturbing.