Top Terror Leader Dishes in Web Chat!

OK, this is not exactly TV-related, but it is fascinating nonetheless. Al Qaida's number 2, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has posted answers to questions solicited on jihadist websites early this year and last year. Bin Laden's deputy responded to often-hostile questions on subjects ranging from the killing of Muslim innocents to Al Qaida's action (or lack thereof) against Israel and Shia Islam. (The Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair photos controversy did not come up, perhaps owing to the time-delay in questioning.)

It's beyond me to infer what the questions, the answers and the mere fact of the Q&A says about the status of Al Qaida. But it's remarkable, just from a media-technology standpoint, to see a leader of a secretive, not exactly democratic terror organization—better known for issuing top-down pronouncements—taking questions and being challenged online as if he were doing an AOL web chat.

In related news, you still have time to submit your questions for Denis Leary! I wouldn't bother asking him his position on the doctrine of Al-Tatarrus, however.