Stand and Deliver

U.S. intelligences release a letter this week from Al Qaeda’s number two, al-Zawahiri, to Iraq’s primary terror leader, al-Zarqawi. Its contents were quite revealing. Among the letter’s highlights were:

· The centrality of Iraq for the global Jihad.
· From Al Qaeda’s point of view, the global war does not end with the departure of American from Iraq.
· Admission that more half of the battle is taking place in the media.

It was the second highlighted item that caught my attention. In the letter al-Zawahiri tells al-Zarqawi to be ready to fill the void when the Americans and their agents leave. Al-Zawahiri states “the aftermath of the collapse of American power in Vietnam – and how they ran and left their agents is noteworthy”. This suggests that Al Qaeda believes that America has no “staying power” and will cut and run.

Why would they not feel that way when Al Qaeda sees Democratic politicians calling for an exit strategy and the need to bring our troops home before the job is done. They also see the likes of Dick Durbin comparing our military and their actions to those of Nazis and reminiscent of those found in Soviet gulags.

They are further encouraged to see the American media report only the negative things occurring in Iraq and celebrating an anti-war mom as a true American patriot. They know that America quickly becomes battle fatigue. Al Qaeda understands that in time the American media in their efforts to bring down President Bush will increasingly change American public opinion against the war. Al Qaeda feels that all they have to do is wait America out.

It is time for Americans to “stand and deliver”. We must mean what we say and do or we will loose total respect in the world. It is as Teddy Roosevelt said we “must walk softly and carry a big stick”. After all it is only our way of life that we have to loose.