Long War Journal

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The Long War Journal is an American news website, also described as a blog, which reports on the war on terror. The site is operated by Public Multimedia Incorporated (PMI), a non-profit media organization established in 2007. PMI is run by Paul Hanusz and Bill Roggio. Roggio is also managing editor of the journal.

The journal evolved from Roggio's personal blog with which he reported on conflicts involving terrorism and Islamic insurgencies around the world. PMI states that its journal seeks to provide news on conflicts without promoting a political agenda and with a goal of providing in-depth, contextual, detailed reporting. The site's staff, led by Roggio, use international media sources plus contacts in the United States intelligence community for information for their reports. The site states that it is a project of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

The organization is funded by private donations, sponsorships, and grants. As of 2011, the site received an estimated average of 12,000 views a day. The Long War Journal has been used as a source by a number of large, mass media organizations. The journal's reporting has included stories on insurgent and terrorist activities in Pakistan.

History and mission

The Long War Journal began as Roggio's personal blog, BillRoggio.com, in which he provided detailed reporting on conflicts around the world using information obtained from media and internet sources plus information given him by contacts in the United States intelligence community. Hanusz, a regular reader and financial contributor to Roggio's blog, had the idea of organizing Roggio's reporting into a nonprofit journalism organization along the lines of the Center for Public Integrity. Thus, in 2007, Roggio and Hanusz left their full-time jobs and created PMI as a non-profit corporation with the goal of, according to the Columbia Journalism Review, "to develop a first-of-its-kind media entity made up of independent reporters, at home and abroad, dedicated solely to reporting on terrorism, so-called small wars, and counterterrorism efforts around the world, to do it in the kind of fine-grained detail that the mainstream press never will, and, as much as possible, without an overt partisan bent."[1][2][3][4][5]

Roggio and the Long War Journal's staff use reports from various media organizations, including publications in countries where terrorists or Islamic insurgencies are active, such as in Afghanistan and Pakistan, then amplify and add historical context to what they find with information from their own network of US intelligence sources. In some cases, PMI has funded trips by its own media-credentialed journalists to report on war zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Philippines. Roggio, a former United States Army signalman and infantryman, uses his military experience to add strategic, operational, and tactical level context to the journal's reports. According to the Columbia Journalism Review, "Roggio's greatest service, then, may be the way he picks up where the mainstream press leaves off, giving readers a simultaneously more specific and holistic understanding of the battlefield."[6]

The Columbia Journalism Review reports that the Long War Journal for the most part avoids political bias in its stories. The Review, however, noted that Roggio has at times aligned himself with conservative bloggers on issues such as the "Easongate" controversy.[7] The journal states that it is a publication of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which describes itself as non-partisan but has been called "neoconservative" by various resources.[8][9][10]

In 2006, before the establishment of the Journal, Huffington Post commentator Stephen Kaus criticized Roggio after Roggio complained about the Washington Post's negative coverage of his 2005 trip to Iraq as an embedded reporter with the United States Marine Corps. Kaus criticized Roggio as a sensationalist who likes to get people to read his articles by distorting the news.[11] Kaus later added, however, that "I should make clear that Roggio's reporting and blogging make a valuable contribution and I take my hat off to his courage. It is the attacks on the Post that are unwarranted."[11]

Staff and funding

As of 2011, PMI had a full-time staff of two people: in addition to Roggio and editor Lisa Milord. Other reporters are work on a part time or voluntary basis. The organization has employed up to 16 reporters at various times, including sending them on field reporting trips to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines.[12]

Reader donations help finance PMI, which also seeks financial assistance through corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and content-distribution deals. The organization does not release details on its finances.[13]

Traffic and use

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in November 2007 that The Long War Journal was getting between 10,000 and 20,000 views each day.[14] In 2008, the Columbia Journalism Review reported that The Long War Journal website was receiving about 6,000 daily visitors.[15]

As of June 2011, the site ranked 91,493 on Alexa. The site's rank in the United States was 25,177 and 20,141 in Pakistan. According to Alexa, 984 other sites linked to The Long War Journal's site.[16]

Quantcast, in June 2011, estimated that the site received an average of 12,000 visitors a day for the preceding one year period. According to Quantcast estimation, 67% of the site's visitors are male, 84% are caucasian, and 67% are attending or have graduated from college.[17]

The Long War Journal has been used as a source by media organizations or quoted in press publications including the New York Times (two of which were on the newspaper's front page),[18][19][20] Reuters,[21] Associated Press,[22] United Press International,[23][24][25] Sunday Times,[26] The Hindu,[27] Cable News Network,[28] the Times of India,[29] The Australian,[30] CTC Sentinel,[31] Time,[32] The Nation,[33] Washington Times,[34] and The Atlantic.[35] Marc Thiessen used the journal as a source in a 15 March 2011 opinion piece for the Washington Post.[36] Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Thomas E. Ricks cited Long War Journal reporter Nathan Webster in Ricks' Iraq-related book, The Gamble.[37]

Reports

In December 2007 the journal reported, with accompanying graphics and maps, on supply routes for weapons and supplies from Iran to insurgents in Iraq. The story was ignored by the mainstream press.[38]

The Long War Journal predicted nine months in advance that the government of Pakistan would make a truce with the Taliban of North Waziristan. The journal also was among the first, before most mainstream media, to report on Al Qaeda training camps in Pakistan and the conflict between militants in those areas and the Pakistani military.[39] In addition, the journal has reported on the relationship between the Pakistani government and military and the Haqqani network.[40]

Controversies

Roggio has not reported reliable information on the website at times and his opinions have been quoted as well as criticized by various news outlets.[41][42][43][44][45][46] After Baitullah Mehsud was killed in August 2009, Roggio claimed on August 6, 2009 that a US intelligence official told him US officials thought Mehsud was still alive.[47] This was not accurate, as Pentagon spokesman Jeff Morrell and National Security Advisor James Jones claimed that US officials were 90% certain he was killed and they had yet to see any evidence to assume otherwise,[48][49] and the Pakistan Taliban later confirmed he was killed.[50]

In April 2009, Roggio claimed Rashid Rauf was still alive.[51] This claim was never proven to be true and it was later reported in September by both USA Today and UPI that Rauf was still believed to have been killed in a US drone strike.[52][53] In March 2012, Roggio echoed claims by the Daily Times that Ilyas Kashmiri was still alive and was spotted in a meeting with Pakistan Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud in North Waziristan.[54] The accuracy of the report, however, was disputed because journalists were unable to access the region where Kashmiri was allegedly spotted.[55] A few days later, the report of Kashmiri's survival was further contradicted when an Al Qaeda spokesman eulogized him along with other Pakistani militants who had been killed in various drone strikes.[56]

References

  1. ↑ Mcleary, Paul, "Blogging the long war: Bill Roggio wants to be your source for conflict coverage", Columbia Journalism Review, 46.6 (March–April 2008): 36+, (3621 words).
  2. ↑ Chinni, Dante, "Media's hand in the Iraq war", Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2007; retrieved 16 June 2011.
  3. ↑ Blakely, Rhys, "In the zone; The year on the web", The Times, 31 December 2005, p. 32.
  4. ↑ Spillman, Benjamin, "All About the Blog", Las Vegas Review-Journal, 9 November 2007; retrieved 16 June 2011.
  5. ↑ Chinni, Dante, "The value of a pro-war blogger's reports from Iraq; Bill Roggio's accounts bring home a feel for what US troops are facing in Iraq", Christian Science Monitor, 12 December 2006, p. 9.
  6. ↑ Mcleary, Paul, "Blogging the long war: Bill Roggio wants to be your source for conflict coverage", Columbia Journalism Review, 46.6 (March–April 2008): 36+, (3621 words).
  7. ↑ Mcleary, Paul, "Blogging the long war: Bill Roggio wants to be your source for conflict coverage", Columbia Journalism Review, 46.6 (March–April 2008): 36+, (3621 words).
  8. ↑ Goldberg, Michelle, "The 'Hero' of the War on Terror", The Nation, 10 February 2011; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  9. ↑ US News / Special: Empire Builders / Spheres of influence: Neocon think tanks and periodicals | Christian Science Monitor, archived
  10. ↑ Oct 9, 2004 (October 9, 2004). "Asia Times - Asia's most trusted news source for the Middle East". Atimes.com. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FJ09Ak01.html. Retrieved April 30, 2012. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kaus, Stephen, "Military Blogger Bill Roggio Swiftboats the Washington Post", Huffington Post, 8 January 2006.
  12. ↑ Mcleary, Paul, "Blogging the long war: Bill Roggio wants to be your source for conflict coverage", Columbia Journalism Review, 46.6 (March–April 2008): 36+, (3621 words).
  13. ↑ Mcleary, Paul, "Blogging the long war: Bill Roggio wants to be your source for conflict coverage", Columbia Journalism Review, 46.6 (March–April 2008): 36+, (3621 words).
  14. ↑ Spillman, Benjamin, "All About the Blog", Las Vegas Review-Journal, 9 November 2007; retrieved 16 June 2011.
  15. ↑ Mcleary, Paul, "Blogging the long war: Bill Roggio wants to be your source for conflict coverage", Columbia Journalism Review, 46.6 (March–April 2008): 36+, (3621 words).
  16. ↑ longwarjournal.org", Alexa Internet, retrieved 16 June 2011.
  17. ↑ longwarjournal.org, Quantcast, retrieved 16 June 2011.
  18. ↑ Shane, Scott, "C.I.A. Is Disputed On Civilian Toll In Drone Strikes", New York Times, 12 August 2011, p. 1.
  19. ↑ Schmitt, Eric, "New C.I.A. Drone Attack Draws Rebuke From Pakistan", New York Times, 13 April 2011; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  20. ↑ Bumiller, Elisabeth, and Thom Shanker, "War Evolves With Drones, Some Tiny As Bugs", New York Times, 20 June 2011, p. 1.
  21. ↑ Taylor, Rob, "Senior Qaeda leader in Afghanistan killed - NATO", Reuters, 26 April 2011; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  22. ↑ Straziuso, Jason, "American extremist in Somalia releases 2 new rap songs on Internet", Associated Press via Seattle Times, 12 April 2011; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  23. ↑ United Press International, "Bin laden aide leaves Iran.", 29 September 2010 (wire service report).
  24. ↑ United Press International, "'Pretty sure' bin Laden son killed", 23 July 2009 (wire service report).
  25. ↑ United Press International, "Iraq security development slowed in 2008", 16 January 2009, (wire service report).
  26. ↑ Lamb, Christina, "School bombing exposes Obama's secret war inside Pakistan", Sunday Times, 7 February 2010 (correction published on 15 February 2010 noting attribution to the Long War Journal was accidentally omitted), p. 27.
  27. ↑ Joshua, Anita, "Senior Taliban leader killed in drone attack: report", The Hindu, 21 December 2010
  28. ↑ Cable News Network, A top insurgent in Afghanistan killed, coalition confirms", 26 April 2011; retrieved 16 June 2011
  29. ↑ Times of India, "What happens to global jihad after Osama bin Laden's death?", 4 May 2011; retrieved 16 June 2011.
  30. ↑ Neighbor, Sally, "Libya ripe for jihad's rallying cries", The Australian, 26 April 2011; retrieved 16 June 2011.
  31. ↑ CTC Sentinel, July 2009.
  32. ↑ Thompson, Mark, "Battleland: Mullen Talks Tougher in Pakistan", Time, 21 April 2011; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  33. ↑ Goldberg, Michelle, "The 'Hero' of the War on Terror", The Nation, 10 February 2011; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  34. ↑ Lake, Eli, "Terrorist hit puts Pakistani reporter under fire", Washington Times, 25 May 2010; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  35. ↑ Hudson, John, "What We Know About the Planned Terror Plot in Europe", The Atlantic, 30 September 2010; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  36. ↑ Thiessen, Mark, "Adam Serwer’s ignorance of a terrorist group", Washington Post, 15 March 2011; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  37. ↑ Ricks, Thomas E., The Gamble (book) (New York: Penguin Press, 2009), p. 266.
  38. ↑ Mcleary, Paul, "Blogging the long war: Bill Roggio wants to be your source for conflict coverage", Columbia Journalism Review, 46.6 (March–April 2008): 36+, (3621 words).
  39. ↑ Mcleary, Paul, "Blogging the long war: Bill Roggio wants to be your source for conflict coverage", Columbia Journalism Review, 46.6 (March–April 2008): 36+, (3621 words).
  40. ↑ Thompson, Mark, "Battleland: Mullen Talks Tougher in Pakistan", Time, 21 April 2011; retrieved 17 June 2011.
  41. ↑ "Lashkar focus only Kashmir, says no interest in global jihad". Times of India. 2009-01-20. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Lashkar_focus_only_Kashmir_says_no_interest_in_global_jihad_/articleshow/4000732.cms. Retrieved 2009-02-05. "However, Lashkar watchers are unconvinced about this turnaround. US terrorism analyst Bill Roggio points out that the renamed Jamaat-ud-Dawa signals its global jihad footprint in its new name." 
  42. ↑ "W's Biggest Hits". Investor's Business Daily. 2009-01-09. Archived from the original on 2009-07-27. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ibdeditorials.com%2FIBDArticles.aspx%3Fid%3D316396837243124&date=2009-07-27. Retrieved 2009-02-05. "Bill Roggio of the Long War Journal has compiled a list of some of those who have received final justice recently." 
  43. ↑ Daveed Gartenstein-Ross (2009-02-05). "What Does Ethiopia's Withdrawal Mean for Somalia's Future?". Middle East Times. http://www.metimes.com/International/2009/02/05/special_report_what_does_ethiopias_withdrawal_mean_for_somalias_future/1885/. Retrieved 2009-02-05. "Bill Roggio, a civilian military affairs analyst who has followed the situation in Somalia closely for the Long War Journal, suggests that on the whole Shabaab may be implementing Sharia more slowly than the ICU did during its rise in 2006. 'I think they're doing it more subtly this time,' he says. 'They've learned that you can't rush into Sharia.'" 
  44. ↑ Spencer Ackerman (2009-01-30). "Pakistanis Beg: Bomb Us!". Washington Independent. http://washingtonindependent.com/28321/pakistanis-beg-bomb-us. Retrieved 2009-02-06. "In recent days, the Pakistani military has undertaken a major operation against the insurgents in Swat, although, as Bill Roggio writes, the results are still ambiguous." 
  45. ↑ Kaus, Stephen (2006-01-08). "Military Blogger Bill Roggio Swiftboats the Washington Post". Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-kaus/military-blogger-bill-rog_b_13477.html. Retrieved 2009-02-05. 
  46. ↑ Jonathan Finer, Doug Struck (2005-12-26). "Bloggers, Money Now Weapons in Information War". Washington Post. p. A24. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/25/AR2005122500659_pf.html. Retrieved 2008-09-28. 
  47. ↑ Bill Roggio (April 12, 2012). "Al Qaeda operative Rashid Rauf survived US strike". Long War Journal. http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/al_qaeda_operative_r_1.php. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
  48. ↑ "U.S. nearly upset Britain's terror case". UPI.com. September 8, 2009. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/09/08/US-nearly-upset-Britains-terror-case/UPI-25941252425345/. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
  49. ↑ Kevin Johnson (September 9, 2009). "Weakened al-Qaeda is still a threat". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-09-08-alqaeda-still-a-threat_N.htm. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
  50. ↑ Bill Roggio (March 7, 2012). "Al Qaeda leader Ilyas Kashmiri spotted at Taliban meeting". Long War Journal. http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/03/al_qaeda_leader_ilya.php. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
  51. ↑ "Al-Qaeda leader reported dead found "alive and well"". AL-Akhbar. March 8, 2012. http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/al-qaeda-leader-reported-dead-found-alive-and-well. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
  52. ↑ "New Statement By Al-Qaeda's Ustad Ahmad Farooq Confirms Ilyas Kashmiri Dead". Memri Urdu-Pashtu Media Blog. March 16, 2012. http://www.thememriblog.org/urdupashtu/blog_personal/en/41890.htm. Retrieved April 1, 2012. 
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