[atomicpossum]

The most likely thing seems to be that Berg was involved with International ANSWER and went to Iraq to try to undermine the war effort on their behalf. His father appears to be active in Left-wing politics; his own anti-war activism was pointed out of Free Republic.

Of course, if this is true he may have met with Al Qaeda in hopes of doing a favor for them. He may have thought that he was going to contribute to the ant-war movement by posing as a hostage.

It didn't work out that way in the end, however.

Gotta say, I've been wondering about that possibility myself...

Or, even worse yet, could he have known?

[Reactionary]

Actually, it seems premature to say that Berg was anti-war. He father certainly is. As to Berg's political beliefs, people seem to be saying that he was in favor of the action in Iraq.

I have no reason to disbelieve that now.

[arasina]

I have to say that thought crossed the tinfoil part of my brain. A new form of "suicide bomber"?

[KOZ.]

thats where i'm going with my theories, the whole situation seemed too clean. he may have not realized till the knife cuts through his neck.

[kinghorse]

Michael Berg says the killers did not have a better friend. That's about as blatant a tell as there is.

The idea this man was engaged with the enemy and then became an object of their rage after the situation deteriorated sounds about right. The father blames Bush for provoking the current violence vis a vis closing down Al Sadr's paper and arresting his right hand man, getting into a fight in Fallujah where some security people are brutalized.

The reprisals directed at Fallujah, now that may be the key. If Al Zwaqri is holed up in Fallujah, the Marines thrust into that safe zone probably infuriated him and his clan. Hence the decision to kill their buddy.

But really, as it stands, who the hell knows.

[kinghorse]

Michael Berg says the killers did not have a better friend. That's about as blatant a tell as there is.

The idea this man was engaged with the enemy and then became an object of their rage after the situation deteriorated sounds about right. The father blames Bush for provoking the current violence vis a vis closing down Al Sadr's paper and arresting his right hand man, getting into a fight in Fallujah where some security people are brutalized.

The reprisals directed at Fallujah, now that may be the key. If Al Zwaqri is holed up in Fallujah, the Marines thrust into that safe zone probably infuriated him and his clan. Hence the decision to kill their buddy.

But really, as it stands, who the hell knows.