Porkins Policy Radio episode 24 Who is Samantha Lewthwaite?

This week’s episode was a long time in the making, but it is one that I am especially proud of.  I had on Tom Secker and Jon Ryman to discuss Jon’s superb film White Widow- The Samantha Lewthwaite Conspiracy.  I would encourage everyone to go and watch the film first, as there is so much detail that Jon goes into.  The three of us discuss the origins of Samatha Lewthwaite; from her birth in Northern Ireland during the troubles, to her “conversion” to Islam and subsequent betrothal to 7/7 bomber Germain Lindsay, and later to her supposed place of importance with in Al Shabab in Somalia.  We explore the notion that Lewthawaite may not have ever been in Kenya, one of her alleged bases of operations, and instead may be part of a much larger and complex intelligence operations.  We also discuss the Westgate shopping mall attack and how Lewthawaite was erroneously connected to it, as well as the geopolitical implications of the recent uptick in violence in Kenya and the African continent in general.  We round of the conversation with a look at how the War on Terror has blurred fiction and reality.  This is another long podcast that deals with a subject that is little understood and deserves more attention.

Download PPR episode 24

Show Notes:

White Widow – The Samantha Lewthwaite Conspiracy

Porkins Policy Radio episode 5 “What really happened at Westgate?”

ClandesTime episode 003 – Massacre in Kenya

ClandesTime episode 006 The War on Terror Chapter XVIII

Porkins Policy Radio episode 10 “Tom Secker Secrets, Spies, and 7/7 (part 1 & 2)”

Samantha Lewthwaite marries on the run in lawless Somalia

 

Music:

Frankie Knuckles – “The Whistle Song”

Soft Cell – “Tainted Love”