Newly declassified portions of a Defense Intelligence Agency document were made available by Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. This document names a top member of Al Qaeda in American custody, Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi, may have intentionally misled his interrogators on the issue of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and Iraq's Al Qaeda ties. And this mis-information was the basis of our war with Iraq.
The document provides the earliest and strongest indication of doubts voiced by American intelligence agencies about Mr. Libi’s credibility. Without mentioning him by name, President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Colin L. Powell, then secretary of state, and other administration officials repeatedly cited Mr. Libi’s information as “credible’’ evidence that Iraq was training Al Qaeda members in the use of explosives and illicit weapons. (from NY Times)
Ibn al-Shaykh al-Libi's lying should comes as no surprise. If he is a true follower of Muhammad, then he is compelled to tell the truth to fellow Muslims. But according to Islamic theology, he is not under obligation to tell the truth to any non-Muslims.
Allah's messenger said "Who is willing to kill Ka`b bin al-Ashraf who has hurt Allah and His apostle?" Muhammad bin Maslama said, "O Allah’s Apostle! Would you like that I kill him?" The Prophet said, "Yes," Muhammad bin Maslama said, "Then allow me to say a (false) thing (i.e. to deceive Kab). "The Prophet said, "You may say it," (Hadith Vol. 5, Book 59, #369).
To fully understand the politics and the world situation where Islam is involved, you must understand their theology as the Islamic culture is driven by Islamic Law and theology no matter what country they are living in. In general, anything done to further the cause of Islam is acceptable.
So the question is, why did our government rely on questionable intelligence reports and why did the intelligence agencies not verify the information before divulging it?
There may be more to it than what the American public is being told.