Al Qaida in Iraq

Contrary to the chatter of anti-war liberals during last year's Presidential election, al-Qaida was working with the government of Iraq long before OIF started. One example is the indictment of bin Laden obtained by Bill Clinton's Justice Department in the spring 1998. An excerpt:

In addition, al Qaeda reached an understanding with the government of Iraq that al Qaeda would not work against that government and that on particular projects, specifically including weapons development, al Qaeda would work cooperatively with the Government of Iraq.

Al-Qaida has never been a stranger to Iraq and that continues to this day. In that spirit, here's the latest report on communications between OBL and his Iraqi-based padwan:

"We would like to assure you that we are continuing on the path of jihad, we are committed to our pledge. We will either win or die trying."

Me thinks Zarqawi has been listening to a little Fiddy Cent. But seriously Z-man, it will SO be the latter.

The recording posted Monday followed previous Internet postings saying the Jordanian was in good health and had returned to lead insurgent attacks in Iraq after being wounded.

Another tic of the left during the 2004 race was the refrain that the Iraq war had "swollen the ranks of al-Qaida and 'galvanised its will' by increasing radical passions among Muslims." In this odd view, we should not have gone to Iraq because we really stirred up AQ against us. Which begs the question: What was 9/11, a big wet kiss?

Terrorists who act in the name of radical Islam hate us for who we are, not what we do. We will have to bring war to them until they are dead or in jail (preferably the former) and potential followers no longer see it as a viable option. That - and only that - will prevent future 9/11s.

UPDATE: On a slightly related note, Powerline plugs David Horowitz' new book, Unholy Alliance : Radical Islam and the American Left. If you've ever wondered why liberals hate George Bush but don't seem to have a problem with Osama bin Laden, this book's for you.