Syria "Expert" Cited by Kerry, McCain Fired for Lying about Academic Credentials

[KoKo]

Think tank that employed Elizabeth O'Bagy fires analyst who made case that Syrian opposition was more moderate
- Jon Queally, staff writer



Foreign policy analyst Elizabeth O'Bagy appeared on numerous media outlets and was cited by high-level officials, but both her objectivity and credibility have been put into grave question. (Image: Fox News screenshot)

Elizabeth O’Bagy, who has been cited as an expert on Syria by numerous media outlets, was employed by the Institute for Study of War in Washington D.C., but has been terminated after it was discovered she did not hold a doctorate from Georgetown University as she had claimed.

“The Institute for the Study of War has learned and confirmed that, contrary to her representations, Ms. Elizabeth O’Bagy does not in fact have a Ph.D. degree from Georgetown University,” the think tank announced in a statement. “ISW has accordingly terminated Ms. O’Bagy’s employment, effective immediately.”

O'Bagy's expertise on the rebel forces aligned against President Bashar al-Assad was used to bolster arguments by those calling for U.S. intervention by painting a picture that the moderate elements within the opposition were in the ascendent over more extreme militias, such as the Al Nusra Front which has pledged allegiance to al Qaida.

Her objectivity, however, was questioned even before these new revelations about her academic background surfaced.

As McClatchy reports:

O’Bagy’s termination followed a controversy that erupted last week when it emerged that in addition to being an institute analyst, she worked for the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a non-profit group that lobbies for U.S. support for Syrian rebel forces.

The controversy arose after an opinion piece she wrote for the Wall Street Journal said that, contrary to news reports, the Syrian opposition isn’t dominated by al Qaida-linked groups. Moderate groups, she wrote, have made significant gains in some areas and deserve outside military aid. The assertions were greeted with skepticism by other Syria experts.

The article identified her only by her institute affiliation, but the Journal later acknowledged that she also was the task force’s political director. The Journal described the group as providing “aid to the Syrian opposition” under contracts with the U.S. and British governments.

Kerry and McCain, R-Ariz., cited O’Bagy’s piece during congressional hearings last week in response to questions about whether missile strikes on Syria might empower al Qaida-affiliated fighters in the rebel movement.

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http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/12-0

[Xipe Totec]

1. Two more victims of confirmation bias. nt

[bullwinkle428]

2. Hasn't McCain fucked up enough times to make someone think twice about

an extra level of scrutiny when he attempts to cite anything/anyone as a source?

[karynnj]

3. Kerry agreed with some of what McCaion quoted of her article where his opinion

was from his own government sources. Saying he "cited her" is overstatement - he was commenting on what McCain read to the committee. He later recommended that specific article.

That does not mean she was EVER a source that he based anything on.

Note that her not having a PHD did not change what was in the article - and Kerry and others have cited opeds written by many people with many backgrounds.

[KoKo]

4. Kick...just like "Curveball" for Iraq we have a Faux News person lying for PTB/MIC

once again!

She's more attractive than Judith Miller...but then...we love our Faux/MSM/Financial BABES...just like we LOVE our SPORTS!

Gotta LOOK GOOD to be in HI-DEF TV these days....!

What does that say about our culture? and reporting?