Report: Al-Qaeda Spells Out Iraq Attack Strategy in Handbook

It seems that an al Queda document covering their early 2004 strategy in Iraq has been found and authenticated.

"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," said the document obtained Wednesday by AFP from Raido France Internationale's regional office in Beirut.

"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," said the document, distributed ahead of the March 11 attacks in Madrid.

Pegged the Spanish.

But most of the chapter is about Spain, considering that the pullout of Spanish troops would "constitute a pressure on the British (military) presence that (Prime Minister) Tony Blair would not be able to bear."

Underrated the Brits.

"They should not carry out any operation targeting the daily life of the Iraqi people or its future, such as the basic services or education, except for oil which should not be exploited under occupation," it said.

So, we're not the only ones playing the "hearts and minds" game. Hmmmm ... seems like continued terror and suppression might be a hard sell compared to freedom and a better, safer life for future Iraqi generations.

We might pull this off yet, if we stand fast at the ramparts. I still call it iffy; we may have pulled off the freedom of South Vietnam had not the American left seized defeat from the jaws of victory after Tet.