Al Qaeda No. 2 Releases Christmas Video 
Scott Ott

(2006-12-20) -- Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda’s second-in-command, today released his Christmas video through Al Jazeera TV.

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Allahpundit:

I’m hoping to have the real video later today. Excerpts have already been released. The Blotter says he sounds like a man who smells victory, but I’m not sure why — droning about Palestine is what Islamists do when they want to change the subject. In fact, he sounds miffed that the west now perceives the Shiites of Iran as the real threat in the Middle East:

“I want to tell the Republicans and the Democrats together … you are trying to negotiate with some parties to secure your withdrawal, but these parities won’t find you an exit (from Iraq) and your attempts will yield nothing but failure,” al-Zawahiri said on the tape, sections of which were aired in successive news bulletins.

“It seems that you will go through a painful journey of failed negotiations until you will be forced to return to negotiate with the real powers,” he said, without identifying these powers.

The military says it caught a big fish a few days ago in Mosul. It’s hard to believe at this point it’ll make much difference in the big picture, but one less terrorist is one less terrorist. Good work. ...

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Jay at Stop The ACLU:

Zawahiri Releases New Message

I’m really starting to think that there is no more Osama Bin Laden. Its been a looooong time since we’ve heard anything from him. However, the “number two” of Al Qaeda has released his Christmas message for the world. He is urging the U.S. to “negotiate” with Al Qaeda if we want out of Iraq. With Democrats already making trips to talk to our enemies, I fear to wonder how much it would take for Al Qaeda to convince them to some sort of “talks”. Gateway Pundit is placing bets on which democrat will be the first to agree with him!…
Any takers?

All the talk of surrendering in Iraq sure has emboldened their propaganda. Hopefully, the talk of increasing the boots on the ground instead of withdrawing will come to pass.

CBS: ...

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Zawahiri Says US Should Negotiate With Al Qaeda in Iraq
Gateway Pundit

And... I'm sure there's a fine Study Group or a former president out there somewhere who would agree with him!!

Zawahiri also says that only jihad will liberate Palestine... not democratic elections.
Wizbang notes that jihad hasn't worked out that well for them, so far.

Especially when their jihad is on each other! ...

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Also commenting: Dan Riehl, Kim Priestap