The Arabic name of the organization translates literally to “Al Qaeda in the land of the two rivers,” which is often translated in English as “Mesopotamia”—which is just a Greek word meaning “land of the two rivers.”
I hate to defend the NYT, but using the term “Al Qaeda in Mesopoatamia” does not by itself indicate bias.
i don’t think it indicates bias — it’s just more of an historical term. it jumped out at me as being a bit curious in the 21st century.