Zawahiri videotape: jihadist's Independence Day message

How are things in Iraq?

Bush's approval ratings are low because of the unpopular war, and a poll reflects that a plurality of Americans would like to see the President (and a majority would like to see VP Cheney) impeached.

Coalition forces are in the midst of an offensive against insurgents. Meanwhile, Democrats, and now some influential Republicans, are trying to force a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

In the midst of U.S. politicians' plans to abandon Iraq, al Qaeda's Sheikh Ayman Al-Zawahiri has issued a 4 July 2007 videotape to rally the jihad.

According to PowerLine,

Zawahiri's plea for unity in Iraq reflects the abandonment of al Qaeda by most Sunnis there, and the fact that many Sunnis have joined with the U.S. and the Iraqi government in fighting al Qaeda. But the defensiveness Zawahiri betrays goes well beyond that schism. He plainly is concerned about how things are going in Iraq, and is anxious to generate support for his organization's efforts there.

Hmm. So -- who should we listen to: those in our country who say we're losing and should come home, or the leader of the enemy who is not claiming victory -- but trying to rally his forces?

See the first 1/4 of the tape here.