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</div> <script> /* push in config for this share instance */ cnn_shareconfig.push({ "id" : "cnn_sharebar1", "url" : "https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/opinion/bergen-chemical-weapons-syria/index.html", "title" : "Al Qaeda\'s track record with chemical weapons" }); </script>  <h1>Al Qaeda's track record with chemical weapons</h1>   <div class="cnn_stryathrtmp"> <div class="cnnByline">By <strong>Peter Bergen</strong>, CNN National Security Analyst</div> <div class="cnn_strytmstmp">updated 5:41 AM EDT, Tue May 7, 2013</div> </div>  <div class="cnn_strycntntlft">  <script> /* var clickExpire="-1"; var playerOverRide={ headline:"Were chemical weapons used in Syria?", images:[{image:{height:"360",width:"640",text:"https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130502141100-syria-info-minister-00000905-story-top.jpg"}}] }; */ </script> <div class="cnnStryVidCont" style="background-color:transparent"> <div id="cnnCVP1"> </div> </div> <script> window.jQuery(document).ready(function() { window.CNNVIDEOS = window.CNNVIDEOS || {}; CNNVIDEOS[ 'T1' ] = CNNVIDEO( 'cnnCVP1', { video: 'bestoftv/2013/05/02/syria-info-minister.cnn', thumb: 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130502141100-syria-info-minister-00000905-story-top.jpg', preset: 'storypage', diagnostics: { section: 'articlepage', placement: 'page-top' }, network: 'cnn', adsection: cnnCVPAdSectionT1 || '', headline: 'Were chemical weapons used in Syria?', videoSource: 'CNN', videoSourceUrl: '', url: '' }); // pause other videos playing on page window.jQuery( '#cnnCVP1' ).on( 'onContentBegin', function( e, obj ) { for ( var instance in window.CNNVIDEOS ) { if ( instance !== 'T1' && window.CNNVIDEOS.hasOwnProperty( instance ) ) { try { window.CNNVIDEOS[ instance ].pause(); } catch(e){} } } }); }); /* var cnnWindowParams=window.location.toString().toQueryParams(); if(typeof cnnWindowParams.video!="undefined"){ if(cnnWindowParams.video){ cnnLoadStoryPlayer('bestoftv/2013/05/02/syria-info-minister.cnn','cnnCVP1', '640x384_start_art' ,playerOverRide,T1); } } else { $('cnnCVP2').onclick=function(){ if ($$('.box-opened').length){ $$('.box-opened').each(function(val){Element.fireEvent(val,'click');}); } cnnLoadStoryPlayer('bestoftv/2013/05/02/syria-info-minister.cnn','cnnCVP1','640x384_start_art',playerOverRide,T1); }; $('cnnCVP2').onmouseover=function(){ $('cnnCVP2').className='cnn_mtt1plybttn cnn_mtt1plybttnon'; }; $('cnnCVP2').onmouseout=function(){ $('cnnCVP2').className='cnn_mtt1plybttn'; }; } */ </script> <a name="em0"></a> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt"><div class="cnn_strylctcntr"> <div><strong>STORY HIGHLIGHTS</strong></div> <ul class="cnn_bulletbin cnnStryHghLght">  <li>Official on U.N. commission says Syrian rebel group may have used nerve agent</li> <li>Peter Bergen: It would not be first time al Qaeda-affiliated group used chemical weapons</li> <li>Obama administration raises doubts that rebels used chemical weapons</li> <li>Bergen: Issue of who may have used them in Syria is key to U.S. response</li>  </ul> </div></div>  <p class="cnnEditorialNote"><em><strong>Editor's note:</strong> Peter Bergen is CNN's national security analyst, a director at the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.newamerica.net/" target="_blank">New America Foundation</a> and the author of <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.randomhouse.com/book/216480/manhunt-by-peter-l-bergen" target="_blank">"Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for bin Laden -- From 9/11 to Abbottabad,"</a> the basis for the HBO documentary "Manhunt" that will be shown on CNN on May 10.</em></p> <p><strong>(CNN)</strong> -- On Monday, a U.N. official said that Syrian rebels had likely used the nerve agent sarin.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph2">Carla Del Ponte, the veteran war crimes prosecutor and a commissioner of the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry for Syria, made this claim on a Swiss-Italian TV station.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph3">Del Ponte explained, "Our investigators have been in neighboring countries interviewing victims, doctors and field hospitals and, according to their report of last week which I have seen, there are strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof of the use of sarin gas, from the way the victims were treated."</p> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt"><div class="cnn_strylctcntr cnn_strylccimg214"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/120317021404-peter-bergen-left-tease.jpg" alt="Peter Bergen " border="0" class="box-image" height="122" width="214"/> <div>Peter Bergen </div> </div></div> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph4"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/uns-carla-del-ponte-says-there-is-evidence-rebels-may-have-used-sarin-in-syria-8604920.html" target="_blank">Del Ponte added</a>, "This was used on the part of the opposition, the rebels, not by the government authorities."</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph5">The U.N. commission later pedaled back from Del Ponte's statement, saying that it "has not reached conclusive findings as to the use of chemical weapons in Syria by any parties to the conflict."</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph6">The context here, of course, is that President Barack Obama is under pressure to act in Syria because of his tough statement in August that the use of chemical or biological weapons in the Syrian conflict would cross <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/world/middleeast/obamas-vow-on-chemical-weapons-puts-him-in-tough-spot.html?ref=davidesanger&_r=0#h" target="_blank">a "red line."</a></p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph7">In the past few weeks, there have been multiple reports that Bashar al-Assad's regime has deployed chemical weapons. (And after Del Ponte's remarks were reported, a U.S. State Department official <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_c3">told CNN </a>that the United States does not have information suggesting that rebels have "either the capability or the intent to deploy or use such weapons." But, the source said, the "facts are not complete" and efforts to obtain more information are ongoing.)</p> <script> var currExpandable="expand18"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='international/2013/05/05/pkg-pleitgen-syria-explosions.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl=''; mObj.lgImage="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130505174334-pkg-pleitgen-syria-explosions-00000229-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand18Store=mObj; </script> <a name="em2"></a> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand18"> <div class="cnn_strylceclbtn"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/mosaic/bttn_close.gif" alt="" border="0" height="23" width="58"/></div> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130505174334-pkg-pleitgen-syria-explosions-00000229-story-body.jpg" alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" width="214"/><cite class="expCaption"><span>Explosions rock Damascus</span></cite> </div> <script> var currExpandable="expand28"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='bestoftv/2013/05/06/exp-point-danon-israel.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl=''; mObj.lgImage="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506081713-exp-point-danon-israel-00002001-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand28Store=mObj; </script> <a name="em3"></a> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand28"> <div class="cnn_strylceclbtn"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/mosaic/bttn_close.gif" alt="" border="0" height="23" width="58"/></div> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506081713-exp-point-danon-israel-00002001-story-body.jpg" alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" width="214"/><cite class="expCaption"><span>Israel won't confirm, deny Syria attack</span></cite> </div> <script> var currExpandable="expand38"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='bestoftv/2013/05/06/exp-point-tabler-lionsden.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl=''; mObj.lgImage="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506080634-exp-point-tabler-lionsden-00031807-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand38Store=mObj; </script> <a name="em4"></a> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand38"> <div class="cnn_strylceclbtn"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/mosaic/bttn_close.gif" alt="" border="0" height="23" width="58"/></div> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506080634-exp-point-tabler-lionsden-00031807-story-body.jpg" alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" width="214"/><cite class="expCaption"><span>Is U.S. in a quandary about Syria?</span></cite> </div> <script> var currExpandable="expand48"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='world/2013/05/06/tsr-sidner-syria-israel-tension.cnn'; mObj.videoSource='CNN'; mObj.videoSourceUrl=''; mObj.lgImage="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506184511-tsr-sidner-syria-israel-tension-00015325-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand48Store=mObj; </script> <a name="em5"></a> <div class="cnn_strylftcntnt cnn_strylftcexpbx" id="expand48"> <div class="cnn_strylceclbtn"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/mosaic/bttn_close.gif" alt="" border="0" height="23" width="58"/></div> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506184511-tsr-sidner-syria-israel-tension-00015325-story-body.jpg" alt="" border="0" class="box-image" height="120" width="214"/><cite class="expCaption"><span>Israel bolsters defense near Syria</span></cite> </div> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph8">But Del Ponte's statement that the opposition is likely using chemical weapons raises an important issue: How plausible is the use of such weapons by any of the many armed factions that are fighting al-Assad's regime?</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph9">The most effective Syrian opposition group is widely considered to be al-Nusra Front. The U.S. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/12/201759.htm" target="_blank">State Department </a>says that al-Nusra Front is simply a cover name for al Qaeda in Iraq, which has long operated in Iraq and neighboring Syria.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph10">It is a worrisome fact that al Qaeda in Iraq is the only al Qaeda franchise ever to have actually used chemical weapons.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph11"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46311" target="_blank">Al Qaeda in Iraq detonated</a> a series of crude chlorine bombs in Iraq from late 2006 through mid-2007.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph12">A study by the New America Foundation found a total of 16 chlorine gas bombings in Iraq, the last of which was in June 2007.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph13">On October 21, 2006, al Qaeda in Iraq launched this campaign of chlorine bomb attacks by detonating a car loaded with mortars and chlorine tanks in Ramadi, wounding three Iraqi police officers and a civilian.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph14">Such attacks sickened many hundreds of Iraqis, but the victims who died in these assaults did so from the blast of the bombs rather than from inhaling chlorine.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph15">U.S. and Iraqi troops successfully killed or captured many of the people in al Qaeda in Iraq who were building the chlorine-laced bombs and captured much of the group's stockpiled chlorine.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph16">Charles Faddis, who headed the CIA's operations against al Qaeda in Iraq's chlorine bomb network, told me in 2010: "There was a lot of effort to secure the chlorine, to get a hold of the tanks, to track these guys down (who were responsible for building the chlorine bombs), to kill them or capture them. Meanwhile, the attacks are not being particularly successful. The people are dying in the blast, but fortunately nobody is dying from chlorine."</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph17">There is no evidence that al Qaeda in Iraq stopped its campaign of chlorine bombing because of any qualms about the use of such weapons.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph18">Chlorine gas was used by both sides during World War I but was banned by the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.un.org/disarmament/WMD/Bio/1925GenevaProtocol.shtml" target="_blank">Geneva Protocol</a>, along with the use of other poison gases, after the end of the war.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph19">The use of such weapons has been a matter of some debate within the leadership of al Qaeda.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph20">In documents found by the U.S. Navy SEALs who raided Osama bin Laden's compound two years ago in Abbottabad, Pakistan, there was a letter written by bin Laden five days before he was killed in which he urged his followers in Yemen who were considering using "poison" to be "careful of doing it without enough study of all aspects, including political and media reaction."</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph21">As we consider the conflicting reports of the use of chemical weapons that have emerged from Syria over the past weeks, it is worth recalling that the al Qaeda affiliate in Syria has in the past used crude chemical weapons on multiple occasions in neighboring Iraq.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph22">Also al Qaeda's leaders such as bin Laden have pushed back on the use of such weapons only insofar as their use might damage the image of al Qaeda in the eyes of the Muslim public, not because of international norms that the use of these weapons is beyond the pale.</p> <p class="cnn_storypgraphtxt cnn_storypgraph23"><i>Follow </i><i><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.twitter.com/CNNOpinion" 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href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/08/opinion/lanning-missing-people/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">Most missing person cases don't have happy ending</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 12:38 PM EDT, Wed May 8, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/08/opinion/lanning-missing-people/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130507103123-amanda-berry-hospital-tight-crop-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Kenneth Lanning says long-term missing person cases are the most difficult and emotionally draining for law enforcement</div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/08/opinion/alden-canada-conservatives-immigration/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">What Canada can teach GOP on immigration</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 7:37 AM EDT, Wed May 8, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/08/opinion/alden-canada-conservatives-immigration/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130507215725-jason-kenney-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Edward Alden advises Republicans to look to the north, where Conservatives adopted pro-immigration policies and became the leading party</div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/08/opinion/navarrette-cruz-richardson/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">Sorry, Bill Richardson: Ted Cruz is plenty Hispanic</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 9:02 AM EDT, Wed May 8, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/08/opinion/navarrette-cruz-richardson/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130507194225-navarrette-cruz-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Ruben Navarrette says if former Gov. Bill Richardson wants to attack Ted Cruz, it should be about his politics, not his Hispanic authenticity</div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/monroe-christie-weight-loss-surgery/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">Congrats Gov. Christie: You saved your life</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 6:37 AM EDT, Wed May 8, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/monroe-christie-weight-loss-surgery/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130507121306-christie-monroe-whca-weight-loss-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Some say Gov. Chris Christie got lap band surgery cause he wants to be president. He says he did it for his family. Bryan Monroe says he probably did it to live. </div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/ferguson-printable-gun/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">3-D printed guns are a boon for criminals </a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 7:28 AM EDT, Tue May 7, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/ferguson-printable-gun/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506103033-3d-gun-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Christopher Ferguson says it's scary to think that anyone, including the insane, can print a workable gun at home. </div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/bergen-gitmo-terror-threat/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">Terror threat from Gitmo prisoners is exaggerated</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 11:00 AM EDT, Wed May 8, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/bergen-gitmo-terror-threat/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130308101846-14-inside-gitmo-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Peter Bergen says only a very small number of released Guantanamo inmates have returned to terrorism. </div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/guzman-beyonce-jay-z-cuba/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">Jay-Z and Beyoncé's trip to Cuba isn't the problem</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 5:46 AM EDT, Wed May 8, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/guzman-beyonce-jay-z-cuba/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130408142349-cuba-beyonce-jay-z-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Real democratic progress in Cuba will happen when the gates of travel are opened, says Sandra Guzmán. </div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/mitchell-internet-tax/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">What's wrong with Internet sales tax </a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 8:24 AM EDT, Tue May 7, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/mitchell-internet-tax/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130424170749-internet-sales-tax-explained-00010305-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Daniel Mitchell says state laws should only apply to things happening inside a state's borders.</div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/kundnani-terror-mosques-surveillance/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">Missing the best chance to prevent terror bombing</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 8:10 AM EDT, Tue May 7, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/07/opinion/kundnani-terror-mosques-surveillance/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506164404-lead-imam-talal-eid-boston-terror-suspect-burial-problems-00005108-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Arun Kundnani says the answer isn't to throw radicals out of mosques but to confront them and their ideas. </div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/opinion/waldman-nra-conference/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">GOP and NRA - a love fest</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 5:42 AM EDT, Tue May 7, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/opinion/waldman-nra-conference/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506140439-nra-convention-palin-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Paul Waldman explains why prominent conservatives gathered to support the NRA as its annual connvention. </div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/opinion/bergen-chemical-weapons-syria/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">Al Qaeda's track record with chemical weapons</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 5:41 AM EDT, Tue May 7, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/opinion/bergen-chemical-weapons-syria/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/120317021404-peter-bergen-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Peter Bergen says an element of the Syrian resistance has a history with chemical weapons.</div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_stryspcvbx"><div class="cnn_stryspcvbxcntr"><div class="cnn_stryscbx1"> <div><a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/opinion/urry-gamma-ray-burst/index.html?iid=article_sidebar">Why gamma-ray burst shocked scientists</a></div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx2"> updated 12:39 PM EDT, Mon May 6, 2013 </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx3"> <a href="/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/opinion/urry-gamma-ray-burst/index.html?iid=article_sidebar"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/130506123707-urry-gamma-photo-video-tease.jpg" alt="" border="0" height="68" width="120"/></a> </div> <div class="cnn_stryscbx4">Meg Urry says the April 27 event was likely the collapse of a massive star into a black hole and will yield much for astronomers to analyze. </div> <div class="cnn_clear"></div> </div></div></div> <div class="cnn_strycrcntrpad"> <div class="cnn_divline"></div> <div class="cnn_pad10top"></div> <div><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612/http://www.cnn.com/opinion?iid=article_sidebar" class="cnn_strymrebtn"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130509023612im_/http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/1px.gif" alt="" border="0"/></a></div> </div> <div class="cnn_divline cnn_divlscrc"></div> <div class="cnn_divline 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