[r9etb]

I'm more convinced now ....they went after a HVT...and not some midlevel LT.

Can't agree with you there. The timing might very well have been based on the presence of a HVT, but the operation itself has significant merit in and of itself.

Sounds to me like they've located a major hive of terrorists, and are cleaning it out. This helps the Iraqis who have turned against the insurgency, it helps us in the "hearts and minds" department, and it kills a bunch of bad guys.

Zarqawi loses if he gets captured and killed; but I think he loses bigger if he gets away again, while leaving all of his minions to get killed.

[Republican Red]

Zarqawi loses if he gets captured and killed;

During one of the first reported Zarqawi captures/killings I remember watching CNN where they hastily put together a panel to discuss Zarqawi and the relevance of his capture. Everyone on the panel came to a conclusion that Zarqawi was no biggie and it wouldn't matter. Once it was determined that Zarqawi had NOT been captures/killed the exact same panel concluded that it was a huge blow to the War on Terror.

President Bush cannot win.