INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Iraq: Al-Qaida and its terrorist allies are on the run in Iraq and elsewhere. Just as President Bush vowed two years ago, they're running out of room — and friends.
The news reported by the main media is almost unremittingly bad. But the reality isn't. Take just one recent event: Iraqi police, working with coalition backup, on Tuesday nabbed 524 criminals in a major raid.
Iraqis in recent months have worried about the deterioration of public security after the fall of Saddam. That's now being addressed — aggressively. On Monday, interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer promised to use a "very sharp sword" against criminals and terrorists. After Tuesday's roundup, we know he means it.
What's all this have to do with al-Qaida? Plenty.
The terrorist group and its affiliates often operate in areas marked by lawlessness and social chaos, where it's easier for them to blend in. As the Iraq government and coalition forces crack down on crime, they'll also make greater inroads against al-Qaida.
Indeed, that may already be happening. A recent report on the respected strategypage.com notes that "al-Qaida operations in Iraq have encountered unexpected problems. Iraqis have become increasingly hostile to al-Qaida's suicide bombing campaign."
So life in Iraq is getting harder for partisans of al-Qaida. Many are fleeing to their last stronghold of Fallujah. Others are leaving Iraq for good. In other nations where al-Qaida holes up, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, the message is also getting through. Fellow travelers are returning to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria and Egypt. They've had enough.
That was very much in evidence Tuesday, after Khaled al-Harbi, a terrorist who once appeared with Osama bin Laden in a videotape praising the 9-11 attack, surrendered to Saudi Arabia. Two other key players have also quit in recent days and asked for amnesty.
This is important. As al-Qaida is rolled back, reformers are emboldened. Leaders in Afghanistan are even now busy preparing for national elections. So are Iraqis. And Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will hold municipal elections in September — the first since the 1960s.
In such a manner, a trickle can fast become a flood. That which was unthinkable only a few years ago — a more open, democratic Mideast — becomes quite thinkable today.
For this, credit President Bush's steadfastness of purpose in Iraq. Credit also the character and professionalism of our troops and the willingness of good Iraqis to step up when things got tough. It's paying off.
Iraq: Al-Qaida and its terrorist allies are on the run in Iraq and elsewhere. Just as President Bush vowed two years ago, they're running out of room — and friends.
The news reported by the main media is almost unremittingly bad. But the reality isn't. Take just one recent event: Iraqi police, working with coalition backup, on Tuesday nabbed 524 criminals in a major raid.
Iraqis in recent months have worried about the deterioration of public security after the fall of Saddam. That's now being addressed — aggressively. On Monday, interim Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawer promised to use a "very sharp sword" against criminals and terrorists. After Tuesday's roundup, we know he means it.
What's all this have to do with al-Qaida? Plenty.
The terrorist group and its affiliates often operate in areas marked by lawlessness and social chaos, where it's easier for them to blend in. As the Iraq government and coalition forces crack down on crime, they'll also make greater inroads against al-Qaida.
Indeed, that may already be happening. A recent report on the respected strategypage.com notes that "al-Qaida operations in Iraq have encountered unexpected problems. Iraqis have become increasingly hostile to al-Qaida's suicide bombing campaign."
So life in Iraq is getting harder for partisans of al-Qaida. Many are fleeing to their last stronghold of Fallujah. Others are leaving Iraq for good. In other nations where al-Qaida holes up, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan, the message is also getting through. Fellow travelers are returning to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria and Egypt. They've had enough.
That was very much in evidence Tuesday, after Khaled al-Harbi, a terrorist who once appeared with Osama bin Laden in a videotape praising the 9-11 attack, surrendered to Saudi Arabia. Two other key players have also quit in recent days and asked for amnesty.
This is important. As al-Qaida is rolled back, reformers are emboldened. Leaders in Afghanistan are even now busy preparing for national elections. So are Iraqis. And Saudi Arabia said Saturday it will hold municipal elections in September — the first since the 1960s.
In such a manner, a trickle can fast become a flood. That which was unthinkable only a few years ago — a more open, democratic Mideast — becomes quite thinkable today.
For this, credit President Bush's steadfastness of purpose in Iraq. Credit also the character and professionalism of our troops and the willingness of good Iraqis to step up when things got tough. It's paying off.
