Speaking Monday with source from Beirut who is just returned
from the Syrian-Iraqi border, where he found U.S. force commanders
reporting a sharp drop in jihadists infiltrating from Syria to
Iraq. No single explanation. Speculation includes remarks that the
Syrians are training the jihadists at Syrian bases; also it is
possible that there is a seasonal lull in jihad recruiting. Also it
is possible that the Sunni clans that live on smuggling and robbery
are weary or pacified or cooperating with Baghdad pay-offs.
Note that Zarqawi has been on air since the Amman attacks of
last November. Zarqawi said to be reorganizing. The Zarqawi program
in Iraq has now been exported to other theaters, such as Top in
Southeast Asia.
Note also that Saddam Hussein and his fellow accused beginning
hunger strike. Not unusual. Regime henchmen live in denial,
transform themselves into victims. Iraq choosing new cabinet means
that there is now someone to hang Saddam Hussein quickly. However,
it is not a deep tradition in the ummah to execute rival
sheikhs.
topics:
Iraq
