The article looks like an interesting part chapter in an ongoing autobiography.

If this Ali Hamad guy (referred to by Sasha) is into the publishing game and openly singing for his supper (money, citizenship) one has to question his credibility. If Ali Hamad had truly sensitive information then he wouldn't advertise much because AQ might give him (and his wider family) a hard time. For an earlier jihadi/author pitch see http://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2006/11/omar-nasiri-claims-aq-deception-over.html

The snapshots of recent Balkan history indicate how complicated the region is. The complexity comes from the thousands of years of the Balkans profitting from or suffering from being a no mans land or warzone between East and West, North and South.

The reference to the Germans is interesting - a look at wiki suggests BND - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesnachrichtendienst . Intelligence activities can suddenly be legally broadcast by politicians or (in this case German) political staffers if there is some political advantage to be gained. Shades of a certain recent Australia Foreign Minister leeking a certain classified document (Lord ...?).

Just waiting for leeks on Afghanistan, and how much America needs us, next.

The Balkans never cease to amaze or dismay.

Pete