An Interview with Steve Klein: Terrorist Cell Expert

Steve Klein is a Vietnam veteran (USMC). He was attached to South Vietnamese militia from 1968-1970. He acted as a translator and negotiator. Also, he organized ambushes on remaining Viet Cong cells as well as North Vietnamese Army elements. From 1970 until 1973 he earned his bachelors degree in political science from University of California at Long Beach. He became a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps in 1974. He served as a communications officer until leaving the Marine Corps in 1977.

Since 1977 he started Courageous Christians United (now he is the secretary). He also founded M.E.E.T. - Middle Eastern Experts' Team. Through MEET and his contacts with the Coptic community he has been asked to give his insights to the FBI and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Steve is as qualified as any to comment on military matters. That is why I contacted him for this interview.

What experiences from Vietnam are most relevant to your work in counter-terrorism today?

Working with the South Vietnamese and finding remaining Viet Cong cells. The Viet Cong were Mafia like in their brutality much like today's terrorists.

What if anything has the U.S. learned from Vietnam?

Not much. America does not understand that we are in a fight that is global as well as multifaceted. Islam is attacking everything not Islam and it is not just using violence; although, it is using that too. It is using economics, politics, propaganda, and anything else to advance The Third Great Jihad. In the 80's Reagan got it half right when he rightly understood that the struggle is global. However, subsequent administrations, have taken a step backwards since then.

Are there any parallels between the conflict that took place in Southeast Asia and the one that is currentlytaking place in Iraq?

Yeah, a blood bath . . . and not just the bloodbath that is taking place now. When we leave, and everyone including the insurgents knows we will, all those who cooperated with the coalition will be killed. After Vietnam fell to the communists, my Vietnamese comrades were rounded up along with their families and gunned down. My Middle Eastern friends have told me that the same thing will happen in Iraq; some translators have already been killed.

You and I have previously chatted about the conflict in Kosovo. Can you share some more about Kosovo?

Sure. Kosovo was a huge success for Al Qaida and the global jihadi movement. The USA did not

learn from Somalia or the Soviet war in Afghanistan that wherever non-Muslims are fighting Muslims, the Mujahadeen - fighters of God - will be there. They were already on the ground with The Kosovo Liberation Army by the time we entered the conflict. So we did the work in the air and the KLA with Al Qaida did the work on the ground.

If I were to say, "America doesn't get it" - would I be right and what would the "it" be?

I would say that America does not get it. The "it" would be what I mentioned earlier . . . that we are in the Third Great Jihad. The Battle of Tours in 795 ended The First Great Jihad. The Second Great Jihad ended in 1683 when the Ottoman Turks failed to conquer Vienna. Now we are in The Third Great Jihad. Eventually, I do think America will get "it" but only after "a long train of abuses".

Thanks Steve. I think we all learned a lot.