"Killing For Congress:" AQ Tactic And Priority Number One
Ralph Peters has a must read piece in the NY Post today that explains that al-Qaeda is not playing to the masses nearly as mush as they are playing to the people so heavily invested in our defeat in Iraq. That would, of course, be Congress:
But the second reason for those dramatic bombings was that al Qaeda needs to portray Iraq as a continuing failure of U.S. policy. Those dead and maimed Yazidis were just props: The intended audience was Congress.
Al Qaeda has been badly battered. It's lost top leaders and thousands of cadres. Even more painful for the Islamists, they've lost ground among the people of Iraq, including former allies. Iraqis got a good taste of al Qaeda. Now they're spitting it out.
The foreign terrorists slaughtering the innocent recognize that their only remaining hope of pulling off a come-from-way-behind win is to convince your senator and your congressman or -woman that it's politically expedient to hand a default victory to a defeated al Qaeda.
Expect more attempts to generate massive bloodshed in Iraq in the coming weeks. The terrorists are well aware of the exaggerated-by-all-parties importance of Gen. David Petraeus' Sept. 15 progress report to Congress. They'll do all they can to embarrass the general and provide ammunition to the surrender caucus.
Meanwhile, our military progress has become undeniable. Even Democratic presidential aspirants have started hedging their peace-at-any-price positions. To the horror of al Qaeda and left-wing bloggers alike, cutting and running is starting to look unfashionable.
How has Petraeus changed the outlook so swiftly? Numerous factors are in play, but two of his personal characteristics have helped keep him from making a single wrong move thus far.
* First, Petraeus is relentless. The result is that, for the first time, our military approach has become relentless, too. ...
* The second quality is his leadership style. Micro-managers lose control in war. While Petraeus is interested in every detail and spends plenty of time on the ground with tactical commanders, he assigns missions, gives the essential guidance - then trusts subordinates to do their jobs.
General Petreus is winning on the ground which is why al-Qaeda and the insurgents in Iraq are taking these steps. Congress sees the attack on Tuesday, and they click their tongues that, yes, the surge is lost. But it is this sort of desperation that is predictable from al-Qaeda. This is the beginning of their "Tet" and they are banking on a weak Congress right now. Actually, they are banking on weak Democrats. Thus far, those in Congress that support General Petreus's efforts have remained steadfast. All al-Qaeda has to do is influence some fence-sitters, and reinforce those invested in defeat, and Iraq will be theirs for the taking.
The people in Iraq are props for the little drama. But General Petreus is getting the hook to yank them off the national stage.
Marcie
But the second reason for those dramatic bombings was that al Qaeda needs to portray Iraq as a continuing failure of U.S. policy. Those dead and maimed Yazidis were just props: The intended audience was Congress.
Al Qaeda has been badly battered. It's lost top leaders and thousands of cadres. Even more painful for the Islamists, they've lost ground among the people of Iraq, including former allies. Iraqis got a good taste of al Qaeda. Now they're spitting it out.
The foreign terrorists slaughtering the innocent recognize that their only remaining hope of pulling off a come-from-way-behind win is to convince your senator and your congressman or -woman that it's politically expedient to hand a default victory to a defeated al Qaeda.
Expect more attempts to generate massive bloodshed in Iraq in the coming weeks. The terrorists are well aware of the exaggerated-by-all-parties importance of Gen. David Petraeus' Sept. 15 progress report to Congress. They'll do all they can to embarrass the general and provide ammunition to the surrender caucus.
Meanwhile, our military progress has become undeniable. Even Democratic presidential aspirants have started hedging their peace-at-any-price positions. To the horror of al Qaeda and left-wing bloggers alike, cutting and running is starting to look unfashionable.
How has Petraeus changed the outlook so swiftly? Numerous factors are in play, but two of his personal characteristics have helped keep him from making a single wrong move thus far.
* First, Petraeus is relentless. The result is that, for the first time, our military approach has become relentless, too. ...
* The second quality is his leadership style. Micro-managers lose control in war. While Petraeus is interested in every detail and spends plenty of time on the ground with tactical commanders, he assigns missions, gives the essential guidance - then trusts subordinates to do their jobs.
General Petreus is winning on the ground which is why al-Qaeda and the insurgents in Iraq are taking these steps. Congress sees the attack on Tuesday, and they click their tongues that, yes, the surge is lost. But it is this sort of desperation that is predictable from al-Qaeda. This is the beginning of their "Tet" and they are banking on a weak Congress right now. Actually, they are banking on weak Democrats. Thus far, those in Congress that support General Petreus's efforts have remained steadfast. All al-Qaeda has to do is influence some fence-sitters, and reinforce those invested in defeat, and Iraq will be theirs for the taking.
The people in Iraq are props for the little drama. But General Petreus is getting the hook to yank them off the national stage.
Marcie
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 3:01 PM
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