Revealed: The Benghazi attack wasn't preceded by protests
Ahead of a House hearing on the attack that killed a U.S. ambassador, the State Department contradicts accounts given by others in the Obama administration
As the Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee prepared to hold a hearing Wednesday on a a deadly attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, the State Department conceded that it had never concluded that the Sept. 11 assault that killed Libya Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans began with a protest against the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims. In fact, State now says there was no demonstration outside the consulate in Benghazi like the one at the U.S. embassy in Cairo. The first sign of trouble, according to the latest account, came with an explosion on the edge of the consulate compound, just before a mob of armed men stormed in. Here, initial reactions to this "extraordinary break with other administration offices," which had claimed for days that a relatively peaceful protest in Benghazi had been hijacked by terrorists:
Finally, we hear the truth
It's about time somebody in the administration decided to "come clean," says John Hinderaker at Power Line. At least now we know: "It was a terrorist attack, pure and simple, well-planned and well-executed. It had nothing to do with a YouTube video."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Libya fiasco could taint Hillary Clinton's legacy
The aftermath of the Benghazi attack "has become a test of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's leadership," says Anne Gearan at The Washington Post. Every new revelation suggesting the State Department could have been better prepared or quicker to identify exactly what happened is "a threat to her much-admired legacy as America's top diplomat just a few months before she plans to step down."
There may be more revelations still to come
This latest admission contradicts the administration's claim that the attack was "a peaceful protest that was 'hijacked by extremists,'" says Tim Cavanaugh at Reason. Clinton isn't the one who peddled that version of events — that was mostly U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice. Still, Clinton remains on the hot seat, because a former embassy security officer is saying State had rebuffed requests from officials in Libya for more protection. It looks like the Obama administration's "unraveling story" on the Libya disaster "has not finished unraveling."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Obama will be grilled at the next debate
There's a "stark discrepancy" between the State Department's new timeline and earlier versions of the tragic events, says Maggie Haberman at Politico. The details about security at the compound and everything leading up to "the Obama administration's ultimate declaration nine days after the attack that it was a 'self-evident' terror act" will get an extensive airing at this hearing. Obama had a miserable week after last week's debate, but the fact that he didn't get grilled on Libya "actually was a reprieve." He won't be so lucky in next week's debate.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 4, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - election fatigue, a different kind of cocktail, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Until I Kill You: 'harrowing drama' starring Anna Maxwell Martin
The Week Recommends Based on the true story of the woman who survived a relationship with convicted serial killer John Sweeney
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The Duchy Files: how bad is the scandal for King Charles?
Today's Big Question Making millions in rent from the NHS and armed forces a 'PR disaster' for royal family
By The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published