This was not the first unambiguous jihadist to be defended by Esposito, who has a long history of apologism for Islamic terror. He co-edited a book in 2000 with Azzam Tamimi, who stated unequivocally in an interview with a Spanish newspaper in November 2001, “I support Hamas.” In the same interview, he also said, “I admire the Taliban; they are courageous.”

But Tamimi doesn’t just “support” and “admire” terrorists; he also yearns to be one. In a television interview with the BBC in November 2004, he said, “If I can go to Palestine and sacrifice myself I would do it.”

Esposito cannot claim ignorance. Scholar Martin Kramer exposed Tamimi several years ago. Yet Esposito remains on the board of an organization run by Tamimi, the Institute of Islamic Political Thought.

Nor can State or Defense claim ignorance about IIIT. According to Caroline Ziemke of Institute for Defense Analyses, who sent Amb. Crumpton the invite, he knew about IIIT’s co-sponsorship. Ms. Ziemke further stated that the Department of Defense, which provided most of the funding for the event, was also fully aware—and approved.

IIIT must feel very lucky. On the heels of the terror trial of a man it bankrolled, the two biggest power centers in government are working to rehabilitate IIIT’s reputation.

What a difference a few months can make.