Iraq and jihad: A consensus surfaces

CSM reports.

Several things stand out about peoples takes on the NIE.

Context is important. This document was written months ago while Zarqawi was still alive. That and subsequent killings and captures of high level al Qaeda figures, has delt a sever blow to terrorists in Iraq. The desperate plea for help by the new al Qaeda leader in Iraq is proof of that. As is the letter from Zawahiri to Zarqawi, before his death, detailing how Zarqawi is doing more harm than good.

These things only hightlight the time lag feature of these events. The NIE report is reporting on things in the past and today's media is reporting on the NIE report that is months old. It's the nature of war but something we shouldn't forget.

The other thing that surprises me is the talk of how al Qaeda is changing and adapting. Why is that a surprise? Of course as we attack them and have successes they will natrually adapt. This is to be expected and not a surprise.

Also missing in all the shouting is the fact that the "consensus" seems to be, that if we defeat al Qaeda in Iraq, it will be yet another humiliating defeat. Afghanistan being the other. Several polls in Muslims countries suggest that suport for al Qaeda has fallen dramatically as a result.

We've a long way to go but for me, I have no doubt that we're winning in Iraq and in the war on terror.

via email from Peter