I agree. With the Sunni and Shia united against them, al-Qaida cannot win in Iraq. The way of the jihad, when confronted with defeat, is to change the venue. Look for them to attempt to exact their revenge and save face, by attacking the West in another country, perhaps our own.
This particular action may even be signaling their exit from the Iraqi theater, as they had to know it would galvanize the Iraqi people against them. Desperation is what we are seeing here.
Al Qaeda has been pulling desperation acts for some time now.
But, of late, Anbar and Baghdad have been much quieter. Oh, it's not over yet, but those noises sure are noticeabbly fewer and farther between.
I don't think it's because al Qaeda is lying back.
I think it's because pulling their stunts has become more difficult.