Look at this picture.. look at it closely. What do you see?
A young man, in a car, in the drivers seat, taking a selfie.
Or is it a selfie? He's not holding the camera. Someone else is, from the passengers seat.
The seatbelt is off, and they look to be parked in some place remote since there is no visible terrain or structures beyond the small fence and hedge with the flowers.
He's posing for a photo. No smile. No emotion in the eyes or mouth. Shabby beard growing around his face. Finger pointing up to "Allah"... (subjective note: it seems to be a half hearted 'finger point' now that I look at it again).
Those are the things we CAN see in this image, and what we can KNOW for certain.
Now, what can we deduce?
Imagine you came across this scene playing out from outside the car: one dude in the front passengers seat, leaning back looking into a phone, snapping pictures (with flash), in a parked car... in a (likely) secluded area.
If I were an law enforcement agent coming up on that scene, I would possibly stop and ask a few questions, but would most certainly consider it odd, knowing there would be a very small range of a reasonable explanation for being at that location, in that scenario.
He has three points of evidence with his ISIS/Al Qaeda/Wahabi sect.
- the shemagh (iconic attire, but clean with what looks like a fresh white tag indicating minimal use),
- the beard (obvious), and
- the finger-point (always common in these sorts of photos).
However, given the scenario unfolding in this car, it seems too forced.
Instincts are telling me that this photo was taken during a 'meet' with his handlers... whoever they are.
Possibilities
Given the context and global situation, I can only postulate on three different possibilities of the motives of his handlers:
- Islamist Cell: they need him to go on his mission, but they need to disseminate proof that he is a follower of the Prophet Mohammed. The importance of terror is reminding that terrible attacks can be committed without notice, from any direction, from an 'ever-present threat'. Hence, the need for the picture and the Islam-tie.
- Spooks acting as US Intelligence: based solely on news reports that Santiago had been probed for child pornography in the past, Santiago would be a perfect target for exploitation. Interestingly, the source said that weapons and a computer were seized, but no charges filed. Yet even more interesting, the FBI confirmed that Santiago went into their field office in Anchorage in November claiming 'US Intelligence was trying to control his mind and he was being forced to watch ISIS videos.
- Spooks acting as Islamic Terror cells - less likely, since these are used for busting arms deals, generally. Especially unlikely given his actions in Fort Lauderdale... though this is still within the realm of the possible.
At this point, without further evidence or research, my instincts say #2 is most likely scenario.
Why would this be the case? I don't even want to attempt to answer that in public without more information.
Requests:
- I can't find the original source of this image. If anyone knows or knows how to find out, please let me know.
- If anyone knows the flowers behind him, would like to know if they are a regional type of flower that grow in either Alaska or New Jersey. I think they're hibiscuses, but I chase enough rabbits down holes. Don't need a new botany rabbit to chase.
- Would love to know what shirt he is wearing. If anyone recognizes the corner of the design below the shemagh, please speak up.