A few important observations from the must read Newsweek article regarding the terrorist insurgency/insurgencies that aren't getting their due attention from other news outlets yet:
1. It looks like Iraqi police might have had Zarqawi in custody and let him go (Ugh!).
2. Newsweek confirms what those who have had their eyes open these past few years have known for some time - Al-Queda was setting up shop in Iraq after being pushed out of Afghanistan (but before the invasion of Iraq). Therefore, although people can still disagree over specific tactics, anyone opposed to the war in Iraq should at least be asked if they are willing to fight Al-Queda at all in a post-9/11 world. If not, then what should our response be? If so, then why not in Iraq?? If not Iraq, then where???
From pg. 3 of the article:
Saddam was not the only one preparing for a cataclysmic battle. After the United States crushed Afghanistan's Taliban regime and tore up Al Qaeda's infrastructure in the winter of 2001-02, would-be holy warriors started eying Iraq as a place where they could make a new stand. One of them was Zarqawi. Working with a group of Kurdish Islamic radicals known as Ansar Al-Islam, he established an underground railroad, bringing zealots to northern Iraq through Europe, Turkey and Syria. Other would-be holy warriors started finding their own way to Baghdad. As the American invasion approached, Osama bin Laden's head of military operations, a former Egyptian commando known as Saif al-Adel, laid out a detailed strategy for jihad in Iraq. Bin Laden himself called on holy warriors to join the fight in March and April.
3. Newsweek also confirms another point that has been obvious to those who have had their eyes open these past few years - Syria is providing safe haven for those coordinating the insurgency in Iraq. Thus this can only be looked upon as a regional war. We won't achieve victory in Iraq until regime change comes to Syria and a few other places in the area.