"Ex-Pentagon official teamed up with Saudi prince to arm moderate al-Qaida in Syria"

"Schmitz was in direct contact with then Free Syrian Army (FSA) commander Gen. Salim Idris. Schmitz hoped his deal with Gen. Idris would be a first step toward potential future assistance from Blackwater founder Erik Prince himself. Schmitz described Idris to the WSJ as a “moderate freedom fighter”, in spite of the fact that at the very time the plan was in motion, right-wing media was screaming about Idris’ multiple public statements suggesting an ambiguous battlefield partnership with al-Qaida." (thanks Amir)