Zawahiri is alive...
CAIRO, Egypt — Al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri said in a videotape aired Monday that President Bush was a "butcher" and a "failure" because of a deadly U.S. airstrike in Pakistan targeting the bin Laden deputy, and he threatened a new attack on the United States.…and blustery; a trait that plays well in the circles in which Mr. Zawahiri runs.A U.S. counterterrorism official, speaking on condition of anonymity in compliance with office policy, said there was no reason to doubt the authenticity of the tape, which U.S. intelligence officials were analyzing. [SNIP]
"Butcher of Washington, you are not only defeated and a liar, but also a failure. You are a curse on your own nation and you have brought and will bring them only catastrophes and tragedies," he said, referring to Bush. "Bush, do you know where I am? I am among the Muslim masses."
"The American planes raided in compliance with Musharraf the traitor and his security apparatus, the slave of the Crusaders and the Jews," he said, referring to Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf.Nyah, nyah, ya missed me!” Like an old-school movie villain, no?"In seeking to kill my humble self and four of my brothers, the whole world has discovered the extent of America's lies and failures and the extent of its savagery in fighting Islam and Muslims."
Meanwhile, the GWOT—a strategy rather than a tactic—continues.
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Protein Wisdom
Counterterrorism Blog has a translation.
Designed to "crumble" the morale of the American public and "boost" the commitments of the Jihadi forces, the tape is another attempt to score points in the War of ideas and media.Well, yes.
AFTERTHOUGHT:Doesn't that interesting birthmark in the center of Zawahiri's forehead remind one--in some lighting--of an entry wound?
