The Washington Times' Rowan Scarborough writes that the war in Iraq looks like al Qaeda's last stand rather than a battle primarily against Saddam Hussein loyalists:
The shift is making the fight a focal point of the U.S. global war against Islamic terrorists and one that might dictate whether the U.S. wins or loses, said a senior official and an outside expert.
"If they fail in Iraq, Osama and his whole crew are finished," said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom McInerney, a military author and analyst.
[. . .]
"In the Muslim world and extremist world, this fight for Iraq is their key battle," said Gen. McInerney. "If they lose it, they lose the war. And so the imams are inciting young people, not particular well-educated, to head to Iraq. Most are going through Syria via Damascus.
"This is why Iraq is such a fundamental part of the global war on terrorism. When we finally defeat Muslim extremists, it will be the battle in Iraq that defeats them."
According to Scarborough this changed perception is highlighted by Operation Matador, a major offensive in western Iraq, primarily against foreign jihadists.
For more information on Operation Matador read Wretchard's "Hearts and Minds" and "Battle on the Syrian Border" at Belmont Club, Chester's "Operation Matador Narrative Summary and Map", Bill Roggio's "Bringing It On" and "Foreign Elements," at The Fourth Rail, and Donald Sensing's "Big operation under way in western Iraq," at One Hand Clapping.
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