Russian Media Points to Moscow Airport Attack in U.S. Video Game

[Judi Lynn]

Source: New York Times

January 25, 2011, 9:17 am
Russian Media Points to Moscow Airport Attack in U.S. Video Game
By ROBERT MACKEY

As Russia’s president, Dmitri Medvedev, criticized airport officials for allowing a suicide bomber to enter the Domdedovo airport in Moscow on Monday, a Russian television report suggested that an American video game might also be to blame.

Russia Today, a government-financed satellite channel, broadcast a report that mixed footage of the aftermath of the attack with gory scenes from a video game, “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2,” which allows players to take part in a terrorist attack on a Russian airport.

Russia Today’s report, which emphasized that the video game was made by Americans, included an interview with a terrorism analyst, Walid Phares, who suggested that terrorists might be using virtual games like this one to train for real attacks. “I think those who have been radicalized already — let’s suppose in this case jihadists, Al Qaeda or other kind — they look at the games and say these games will serve them to train,” Mr. Phares said.

The report asserts that the suicide bombing on Monday “mirrors” the video game’s scenario. In fact, the game dramatizes a commando raid on a Moscow airport that much more closely resembles the terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008.



Read more: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/25/russian-media-points-to-moscow-airport-attack-in-u-s-video-game/?partner=rss&emc=rss

[WhiteTara]

1. yikes.

now if they can just loop Beck into this it would be very helpful.

[Ian David]

2. It would explain why the guy shouted, "The princess is in another castle!" before he detonated.

[LisaL]

4. Actually from what is reported he was creaming "I will kill you all."

Presumably in Russian.

[Vinnie From Indy]

3. Call To Duty is just this generations John Wayne war movie

It is modern propaganda to get American youth to glorify war. Sadly, it is also training the next generation of American soldier. Right now we have American soldiers sitting in cubicles in America that operate remote vehicles and drones that can kill at the press of a button. This type of warfare is the future and Call of Duty is getting the next generation mentally and physically prepared.

[ronnie624]

7. I think you are much closer to the truth.n/t

[leveymg]

8. Not just robot aircraft that can be operated remotely from cubicles in America.

Wasn't that the idea of arming and training the Mujahadin to fight the Russians with remote control bombs, Stinger missiles and other up-to-date weapons? Didn't these U.S. trained holy warriors turn into al-Qaeda?

[hugo_from_TN]

10. That was the mujahadeen, and they didn't become AQ or Taliban

Myth

[snooper2]

5. Yep, terrorists are playing X-Box to train

:rofl:

Mr. Walid Phares, you are a tool and an idiot---Addtional proof? You write for Newsmax (case closed)

http://www.newsmax.com/blogs/WalidPhares/id-60

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walid_Phares

[Democat]

6. Do they blame video games for random murders as well?

After all, there are plenty of games with shootings in them.

[peace13]

9. A good point, there sure are plenty of games with shooting in them.

Why stop now or why consider that watching an old western while sitting in a chair not holding a gun would be any different than playing a game with a mock gun in ones hand while trying to annihilate the world? Who knows. I had the dubious honor of sitting in a waiting room at the hospital the other day. A young man of maybe 12 or 13 was talking to the aid about video games. This young fellow announces that he especially likes the games where you shoot people. I kid you not. It was a sad moment I can tell you. Yup he's not everybody but I think we have to realize that the realistic nature of games today coupled with the violence in our society may just be having an affect on our youngsters.

[name not needed]

11. What's next? Are they gonna blame 9/11 on the existence of Microsoft Flight Simulator?