Al-Qaeda's Playbook

AFP (Agence Française de Presse) reports that a document obtained by Radio France Internationale's Beruit office is an Al-Qaeda-produced strategy book filled with top Al-Qaeda officers' thoughts on America's war against terrorists. Reporters are paying particular attention to its strategy for knocking the Spanish out of the war in Iraq -- something at the terrorists succeeded in pulling off, unfortunately.

Most likely written in early February of this year and distributed before the 3-11 attack in Madrid, it states: "We consider that the Spanish government cannot suffer more than two to three strikes before pulling out (of Iraq) under pressure from its own people." And: "If these (Spanish) forces remain after the strikes, the victory of the socialist party would be near-guaranteed and the pullout of Spanish forces from Iraq would be on its agenda."

Al-Qaeda clearly planned the attack to do precisely what it did. It also outlines strategies to harass American troops in Iraq by concentrating on a "Sunni strategy."

Given their prescience in these matters, special attention should be given to their fear of America's ability to change the Middle East to the disadvantage of terrorists.

AFP reports: "It [the document] said the US plan was 'to build an Iraqi state as conceived by the United States...and enslave Saudi Arabia politically, fight against Islamic proselytism as a salafist and jihadic movement.'

"'This would be (for the US) the first step toward the eradication of hardline Islam in the entire world.'"

The rhetoric about enslaving Saudi Arabia is typically false, since Al-Qaeda defines enslavement as freedom from radical Islamists. But yes, contrary to the left's charges against the administration, America's aim in liberating Iraq is indeed to eradicate hardline Islam worldwide, the better to protect ourselves while freeing millions from brutal dictators. Severely curtailing the proselytization of jihadic Islam is a necessary step in changing the political structure of the region.

All of which leads me to ask: If Al-Qaeda gets it, why doesn't everyone else?