[ketsu]

Before we start tear out our hair in protestations of grief, a very short search by Google would reveal that Jamal Abu al-Jadian was a local chief of al-Aqsa martyrs Brigades.

This guy had it coming as much as his executioners do.

ding ding ding. This "civil war" would be better described as a gang war. Basically the Sopranos, but with Phil in charge and Tony getting his head run over(or shot 40 times, take your pick).

As an aside, the US and Israel bear much of the blame for the current situation. By weakening and destroying the the Sunni secular forces(it *did* make some sense at the time, arab secular nationalism was soviet aligned) much worse threats have arisen in their place.

Think Saddam's weakened WMD stockpile was a problem? Look at what Iran has been able to accomplish during the interim while the US has been busy in Iraq. And that's just the most recent example.

US foreign policy is hamstrung by the fact that it only sees one or two moves ahead while the Islamists are thinking for the long haul. Unless the US allows more pragmatic strategists to dictate how the WOT is waged the US is going to *lose* the WOT.

I don't think this will be a popular opinion here on FR. But it needs saying.

[Westbrook]

> Unless the US allows more pragmatic strategists to
> dictate how the WOT is waged the US is going to *lose*
> the WOT.

What does it mean to “lose the WOT”?

Does it mean that we surrender to the Caliphate envisioned and being assembled by Al Queda?

Does it mean long lines of dhimmis in the beheading queue here in the States?

Does it mean American cities devastated by nuclear detonations?

Does it mean the institution of “Sharia Law” throughout the United States?

If so, then it’s LONG PAST time to blow Mecca and Medina OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH.