The neoconservative Institute for the Study of War has fired writer and researcher Elizabeth O’Bagy for lying about having a Ph.D. from Georgetown University. Many advocates of military action in Syria, such as Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, have cited her research.
O’Bagy is most popular for a Wall Street Journal op-ed claiming that “[m]oderate opposition groups make up the majority of actual fighting forces” among the Syrian rebels, and that
any U.S. action should be part of a larger, comprehensive strategy coordinated with our allies that has the ultimate goal of destroying Assad’s military capability while simultaneously empowering the moderate opposition…
I responded to Nicholas G. Hahn III, editor of Real Clear Religion, yesterday, who cited the same op-ed to justify Syrian regime change.
O’Bagy was also affiliated with the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a nonprofit organization that “subcontracts with the U.S. and British governments to provide aid to the Syrian opposition.”
While this incident doesn’t completely discredit her op-ed, one has to ask what kind of research experience she actually has. Why should we trust a liar on any issue?
