The spin's in: "Experts: Al Zarqawi death more important than bin Laden's"

[Human Torch]

Al Zarqawi death “more important” than bin Laden’s: experts



http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2006/June/theworld_June252.xml§ion=theworld

LONDON - Abu Musab Al Zarqawi’s death should be a cause for celebration across the entire Arab world and could be felt more keenly in the area than the death of Osama bin Laden, leading British academics said on Thursday.

Professor Paul Wilkinson, chairman of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at St Andrews University in Scotland, said: “I do not think any of the decent majority in the Arab world will mourn his passing.”

Michael Clarke, director of the International Policy Institute at King’s College London, said that because of the devotion Al Zarqawi inspired in his followers, his loss to Al Qaeda could be felt more keenly than the death of bin Laden.

Professor Clarke said: “If Osama is captured or killed, I would say it probably would not make much of a difference to the movement. But in the case of Zarqawi being killed, it is quite a big blow, which will not be felt immediately.” Al Zarqawi appeared to have influence over 10,000 fighters, and had a “big handle on the Sunni and external elements. That will raise big questions for Al Qaeda”, said Clarke.

[Zynx]

1. So if Bin Laden is captured or killed we should just say, "So what?"?

[Human Torch]

5. According to Professor Clarke, I guess...

...the "experts" can say whatever they want about this. OBL is the true poster child here...despite the attempts to make Al Zarqawi the bigger bogeyman.

[opihimoimoi]

2. OK OK its a big deal, lets bring home the troops and shut it all down

If we don't...then its not a real big deal...is it?

[MrModerate]

3. My insta-nalysis of this is . . .

That the activity foreign fighters will diminish, because Zarqawi was indeed charismatic and well organized. Which will lend credibility to the militias and their sponsors, and even to the national government, in that they will be seen as more able to govern. Which means that the militias can concentrate on ethnic cleansing, which means that the civil war is geared up a notch.

Not that I'm trying to spot the cloud in spite of the glimmer of the silver lining, but that the whole Iraq adventure is so clearly doomed that there's very little that can be done to prevent descent into a bloody war that will make the partioning of India/Pakistan look like an Up With People concert.

[Virginian]

4. But he had been fired from his leadership roll in March.

This is from another post, by KPete, with a link to the article.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1381460

[Human Torch]

6. I remember that when it first came out...thanks for the link.

:patriot:

[rock]

7. Nope. Sorry, that only counts

if you say it before one of them is killed.

[Contrary1]

8. Well, today it is...

And so, a new era of "last throes" begins. Shrub doesn't even have to say it.
They will "bring it on" without his cordial invitation.

[hadrons]

9. but Zarqawi and his influence was falling apart a few weeks ago

It's time for a blunt assessment of our position in Iraq. Recruitment is down. We're disorganized from top to bottom. We can inflict harm on the enemy, but we're unable to gain and maintain territory and no sooner do we make progress than the enemy offsets his losses with new replacements. Beyond all this, we're failing to win hearts and minds in Iraq. We're losing the public-relations war in the media and even the mosques. Bottom line: Every year is worse than the prior year.

OK, who wrote this? An anonymous source atop the U.S. Central Command? An anti-war blogger? One of the ex-generals, editorialists or politicos crying for Donald Rumsfeld's scalp?

You're forgiven if you picked any or all of the above. The author will surprise you if you're a citizen of "All is lost" or "Iraq's another Vietnam" America. The author is an unknown al-Qaida terrorist whose papers were seized in Iraq last month.

Al-Qaida's man in Iraq is as grumpy as a Bush-hater with a "Mission (Nothing) Accomplished" bumper sticker. "Most of the mujahidin power lies in surprise attacks (hit and run) or setting up explosive charges and booby traps. This is a different matter than a battle with organized forces that possess machinery and suitable communications networks," he writes. "Thus, what is fixed in the minds of the Shiite and Sunni population is that the Shiites are stronger in Baghdad and closer to controlling it while the mujahidin . . . are not considered more than a daily annoyance to the Shiite government."

http://www.oregonlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/editorial/1147308929234020.xml&coll=7

[Dr Fate]

10. Zar-who-ee? Where's Bin Laden? n/t

n/t

[Cosmocat]

11. Yeah ...

That is bunk ...

From an Al Queda standpoint, and the "war on terror" he is basically a Knight, maybe a Bishop ...

Better than a pawn, obviously, but his impact is pretty much limited to what is going on in Iraq ... It, hopefully, will cut back on some of the attacks against our troops in Iraq ... But, the MUCH greater mess in Iraq is the civil war between Shiite and Sunni factions ... He was an agitator to that, but it will MOST definitely exist without him ...

The repukes can spin it all they want, but OBL is the King ...