Qaida no. 2: Jihad to move toward J'lem after U.S. exit from Iraq

[bemildred]

Al-Qaida's second-in-command on Wednesday forecasted rise in Islamic militant power after a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, and vowed to attack Jews both within and outside Israel.

"I expect the Jihadi influence to spread after the Americans' exit from Iraq, and to move towards Jerusalem," Ayman Al-Zawahri said in response to questions compiled by Islamist Web sites.

"We promise our Muslim brothers that we will do our utmost to strike Jews in Israel and abroad with help and guidance from God," he said to those asking when attacks on Israel would take place. Last week, the Al-Qaida leader called on Muslims to strike Israeli, Jewish and American interests in revenge for Israel's ground incursion in the Gaza Strip in early March.

Al-Zawahri on Wednesday also said that Osama bin Laden was well and reports he was sick were false.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/971179.html

[Teaser]

1. I'd argue that Zawahri is AQ #1 in reality

but it serves his interests to be seen as #2.

[bemildred]

2. You don't suppose he would lie about this do you?

It seems to me if OBL was alive and functional, we'd get some "proof of life", or better a stirring call to jihad from him in person. At least I can't see why not. So I tend to think OBL is dead, or better off dead like Sharon.

I don't really have an opinion about al Zawahri, he is sort of like Emmanuel Goldstein, if he wasn't there he would be fabricated and sold to us anyway, so it's hard to sort out the facts from the bullshit. And it doesn't matter much anyway, he is a show-biz creation either way, it's the dimwits that think he is their leader that you have to watch out for.

[Teaser]

3. tru dat

what does it mean, really, if you "lead" a 4th generation warfare cell-based organization?

You're basically a motivational speaker for guys with guns.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

4. Thanks but no thanks. nt