Zawahiri Reminds Us of Stakes in GWOT

Zawahiri Threatens Revenge for Israeli Attacks

Al-Qaida's number two leader has vowed revenge for Israel's offensives in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip...

In a taped message... al-Zawahiri said the terrorist network will not remain silent while Israeli bombardments "burn our brothers."

He called on Muslims to rise up and become martyrs in a worldwide Jihad against Israel and what he called the crusader coalition. Al-Qaida uses the word "crusader" to refer to Israel's western supporters including the United States.

Reacting to the tape, President Bush said he was not surprised at Zawahiri's comments. He said al-Qaida's goal is to kill innocent civilians, while the United States is trying to promote democracy.

Zawahiri, an Egyptian, called Arab nations impotent and treacherous, referring to their muted response to Israel's military campaigns.

A photograph on the wall behind Zawahiri showed the World Trade Center towers, attacked in September 2001, in flames.

Zawahiri also said that "[t]he war with Israel does not depend on ceasefires... It is a jihad for God's sake and will last until religion prevails ... from Spain to Iraq."

I give him points for honesty. His words are a reminder that the terrorists (al-qaeda, hezbollah, hamas, etc.) seek nothing less than total world domination. They will use any means necessary including the very freedoms we hold dear (speech, press, association...).

On another note, I thought the US government was responsible for the world trade centers "implosion?" Why did Zawahiri have the picture of the burning towers behind him when he spoke?