Some years ago, I broke my left elbow. I can't straighten my left arm now. I often find myself standing in the "at ease" posture, as it's a comfortable way to stand when you can't straighten an arm. I've never served in the military.
I suspect the quartet who killed Berg weren't part of Al Qaida. They just came to Iraq to fight for Islam. There are Muslims in Russia.
Berg's family are fairly staunchly pro Bush.