Bigley escape plotters executed (Terrorists fragmenting, killing their own)

The Times (Of London) ^ | October 17, 2004 | Ali Rifat, Falluja and Tom Walker

[alnitak]

Great news if true. Put yourself in Zarqawi's shoes, now what are your problems?

a) Intelligence knows where your group is located b) Your own people cannot be trusted c) Danger of nationalism breaking out in your group as Syrians betray Iraqis d) Need new recruits to replace those killed in the American bombing, but can they be trusted...?

Prediction: this "insurgency" will soon fall apart under the hammer blows of the US army and air force. It is nothing like Vietnam, there is more of a resemblance to gangsterism rather than a coherent military campaign.

[alnitak]

Hmm. Sorry about the apostrophes.

[Anti-Bubba182]

"Great news if true. Put yourself in Zarqawi's shoes, now what are your problems?.."

He has to be getting more paranoid and if he keeps up the brutality to his own allies it is more likely someone will turn on him.

[stockpirate]

If the intell is true about the mosque why is it still standing?

[thoughtomator]

Algeria strategy. Don't hit the target until the maximum number of casualties can be obtained from the strike - let 'em mass up in their "safe houses" and fatten up the kill count.

[stockpirate]

Actually I like that strategy, it seems to be working the the rest of Iraq as well.

[thoughtomator]

It worked great in Algeria... reading up on the history of how Algeria beat their Islamofascist movement (and also about how Peru beat the Shining Path) really illuminates US strategy in Iraq.

[elli1]

...

reading up on the history of how Algeria beat their Islamofascist movement (and also about how Peru beat the Shining Path) really illuminates US strategy in Iraq.

Have any suggested titles to read on this subject?

[TomGuy]

If al-Zarqawi continues, he will get 'state' support, and that will make him many times more dangerous than bin Laden has been.

al-Zarqawi and al-Sadr are the major threats for the next decade---if they aren't taken out now.

al-Sadr supposedly took civilian hostages (women and children) while he and his militia were in the mosque. He wanted the US troops to attack---because he had killed those hostages to create the impression that they were killed by US troops.

[US troops didn't attack, so al-Sadr's plan didn't work. However, the Iraqi Council are negotiating with him (what???? he was already a wanted murderer) and now he may get a position in the new Iraqi government. (Remember how little Adolph rose to power in Europe? Started as a government clerk.)]

[TomGuy]

Zarqawi is following the pattern Saddam used to gain and keep power: overtly kill those who challenge you and your authority---create, then rule, by fear.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Zarqawi's problem is that he is a foreigner. Saddam had an Army, vast Secret Police and party aparatus as well as a good deal of popular support. Zarqawi has much less support and is wearing out his welcome more and more every day.

Eventually, if he is dumb enough to hang around, someone will drop the dime on him.

[thoughtomator]

Belmont Club has a recent article on it. I am pretty sure I read an extensive article on TCS too that I can't find at the moment.

[rabidralph]

Or any mosque, for that matter?

[No Surrender No Retreat]

May all the muxlimb terrorist go to hell and stay submerged in camel dung for infinity. Patriots-R-Us Bush/Cheney 2004

[MoralSense]

According to John Loftus, Zarqawi is in Tehran. Probably means it isn't safe for him any more in Iraq.

[MoralSense]

According to John Loftus, Zarqawi is in Tehran. Probably means it isn't safe for him any more in Iraq.

[Dog]

a) Intelligence knows where your group is located b) Your own people cannot be trusted c) Danger of nationalism breaking out in your group as Syrians betray Iraqis d) Need new recruits to replace those killed in the American bombing, but can they be trusted...?

You have a good handle of what is going on..

MI6 is inside Zarqawis network......he is screwed.

[guitfiddlist]

How much can we pay an informant to leave a bomb at Zarqawi's headquarters? Gee, what's the world coming to, when terrorists have to worry about terrorists?

[nuconvert]

"MI6 is inside Zarqawis network"

I hope they still are after the 'purge'....

[Dog]

I think the US wants Zarqawi alive.....we'll kill him if we have to .....but he would be a treasure trove of information.

Zarqawi knows if Bin Laden is alive.

Zarqawi knows where all the terror cells are in Iraq.

Zarqawi knows what country his network has sleeper cells in.