Al-Qaeda Is Expired Milk

How come no one mentions al-Qaeda's illegal, unilateral invasion of Iraq?

Al-Qaeda invaded and teamed up with Saddam's supporters to repel the American invasion. But, as I've noted here for the past few months, Iraqis are getting fed up with al-Qaeda. Strategypage reports on this break-up, which for us geo-political junkies, is a little more important than Brad and Jennifer's split:

Sunni Arab-oriented insurgent groups opposed the January elections that chose an interim parliament and, as a result, found their constituencies and views were not represented during the writing of the new Iraqi constitution. Although they continue to resist the new Iraqi regime, there is evidence that some of these insurgent groups have declared a “cease fire” for the December 15th parliamentary elections. As many “accomadationist” Sunni leaders have already endorsed participation in the election, this may insure a strong Sunni turn out, which would be good for the ultimate development of a reasonably representative government in the country.

Two armed anti-government groups are known to have called for a cease fire during the elections. These include Jaysh Al Mujahidin, which is also rumored to be engaged in quiet talks with representatives of the Iraqi government, and the “1920 Revolutionary Brigade.” The cease fire may also be motivated by other factors, in addition to the desire to seek some degree of power and influence in the new government. Reportedly leaders of several Sunni and Baathist resistance groups have been threatened, and possibly even attacked, by Al-Qaeda in Iraq for not toeing an ultra-religious line. Al Qaeda considers democracy and voting “un-Islamic.” But al Qaeda is not only the most hated organization in Iraq, but also banged up pretty badly after months of attacks by American and Iraqi troops. As the number, and quality, of Iraqi security forces grows, the effectiveness of the investigations and raids against al Qaeda become more effective.

Al Qaeda, and the fanatical leader of “Al Qaeda in Iraq”, Jordanian Abu Musab al Zarqawi, have slaughtered thousands of Iraqis in over a hundred spectacular suicide bombings. Zarqawi had to depend on foreigners for most of these attacks, as Iraqis are reluctant to kill other Iraqis like this, particularly since women and children tend to be among the victims. What really hurt Zarqawi was several attacks that killed large numbers of children. This is a no-no, even among bloody minded Iraqis. The improved counter-terror efforts, including those along the Syrian, Jordanian and Saudi borders, has cut down on the number of foreign volunteers for al Qaeda. Moreover, the word has gotten out that al Qaeda in Iraq is not popular with Iraqis, and subject to constant attack by American troops and Iraqi police. Many potential foreign terrorist volunteers are staying away. So Zarqawi is now recruiting mostly Iraqis, and not having much success at that. One of the major losers in the December 15th elections will be al Qaeda, as many pro-terror Iraqis switch to less violent methods. This has led to violence between al Qaeda and Sunni Arab groups that were formerly supporters of Islamic terrorism.

Al-Qaeda truly is a murderous ideology and they aren't just a threat to Americans or the West. This is a group, where each time they try and gain power or exert any influence, they resort to murdering and terrorizing their opponents. Al-Qaeda's fantasy is that their jihad is all blessed by Allah, and if they confront the infidel, which apparently is defined more broadly than just Americans and Jews now, Allah will deliver their heads on a platter.

Unfortunately for them, the sign from the sky that al-Qaeda is searching for happens to be in the form of a JDAM. Now, as their ranks are being depleted, those who allied with them have realized their only hope for survival is to enter the political world. Al-Qaeda has, well quite the opposite of shrewdly, responded the only way they know how: killing and terrorizing.

Someone needs to send the Z-man Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influece People." If we order it now, he might just get it in time for Christmas.