The Tale of Two Traitors
Anwar al-Awlaki was once a prolific American imam, initially encouraged by the US establishment to teach young Muslim Americans that Islam opposed the 9/11 attacks. However, he later turned against US foreign policy, moved to Yemen, and used YouTube to spread radical jihadist ideology, earning the nickname "Bin Laden of YouTube." In September 2011, President Obama ordered a CIA drone strike that killed Awlaki in Yemen.
In contrast, Jonathan Pollard, an American Jew who worked for the CIA, provided top-secret intelligence to Israel, including signals intelligence from the US Navy's Sixth Fleet. He also offered secrets to other countries and Israel sold some information to the Soviet Union. Pollard was arrested by the FBI and imprisoned for decades. Despite pleas from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Obama eventually released him, and President Trump allowed him to leave the US. Israel granted him citizenship and gave him a hero's welcome.
While Awlaki urged young American Muslims to wage jihad against the US, Pollard encourages American Jews with security clearances to betray their country for Israel. Both men jeopardized US national security, yet only Awlaki was killed without due process. The contrasting treatment of these two traitors highlights a double standard, which critics attribute to the influence of pro-Israel lobbies in the US.
Conclusion
If Pakistan had sheltered Awlaki, it would face severe sanctions and drone strikes. In a normal country, both traitors would be equally punished, but the power of lobbies and foreign influence in the US leads to unequal justice. This is a manifestation of what some see as foreign occupation of America through political and media control.
