These lying SOB's just keep talking about al-Qaeda in Iraq being our "mortal enemy".

[sinkingfeeling]

Will somebody please quote the ISG 2006 Iraq assessment to them?


Al Qaeda is responsible for a small portion of the violence
in Iraq, but that includes some of the more spectacular acts:
suicide attacks, large truck bombs, and attacks on significant
religious or political targets. Al Qaeda in Iraq is now largely
Iraqi-run and composed of Sunni Arabs. Foreign fighters—
numbering an estimated 1,300—play a supporting role or carry
out suicide operations. Al Qaeda’s goals include instigating a
wider sectarian war between Iraq’s Sunni and Shia, and driving
the United States out of Iraq.
Sectarian violence causes the largest number of Iraqi
civilian casualties. Iraq is in the grip of a deadly cycle: Sunni insurgent
attacks spark large-scale Shia reprisals, and vice versa.
Groups of Iraqis are often found bound and executed, their
bodies dumped in rivers or fields. The perception of unchecked
violence emboldens militias, shakes confidence in the
government, and leads Iraqis to flee to places where their sect
is the majority and where they feel they are in less danger. In
some parts of Iraq—notably in Baghdad—sectarian cleansing
is taking place. The United Nations estimates that 1.6 million
are displaced within Iraq, and up to 1.8 million Iraqis have fled
the country.
Shiite militias engaging in sectarian violence pose a substantial
threat to immediate and long-term stability.

[babylonsister]

1. I think they're making this an issue

because Obama has claimed they wouldn't be in Iraq if it weren't for us. They can shout the fact that AlQ is there all day long, but that doesn't negate the fact that if we hadn't invaded, they wouldn't be there.

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. al-Qaeda in Iraq is pretty much a fictional enemy given a name

that conjures up a connection between Iraq and 9/11. Basic war propaganda.

[MikeNearMcChord]

3. They are appealing to the ignorant and the uninformed

The fact that there are many sides fighting in Iraq and some are both ally and foe to the US, would cause the average Joe Freeper's head to explode. So in the tradition of keeping it simple, they use the phrase Al Qaeda.

[Hissyspit]

4. Arrogance, willful ignorance, corrupted ideals, blind nationalism & delusion can be mortal enemies.

[RC]

5. Invade a defenseless country. The citizens defend their country. They are therefore the enemy.

The enemy needs a name. Demonize them by giving them a scary Arab name. Tell the world we are protecting the citizens. Deny that the citizens and the enemy are one and the same. Voilà, an un winnable war we can't leave till we win.