Iraq -- The Diary Of An Insurgent In Retreat

From MSNBC:

BAGHDAD - On Nov. 3, U.S. soldiers raided a safe house of the insurgent group al-Qaeda in Iraq near the northern city of Balad. Not a single combatant was captured, but inside the house they found something valuable: a diary and will written in neat Arabic script.

"I am Abu Tariq, Emir of al-Layin and al-Mashadah Sector," it began.

Over 16 pages, the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader detailed the organization's demise in his sector. He once had 600 men, but now his force was down to 20 or fewer, he wrote. They had lost weapons and allies. Abu Tariq focused his anger in particular on the Sunni fighters and tribesmen who have turned against al-Qaeda in Iraq and joined the U.S.-backed Sunni Sahwa, or "Awakening," forces.

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More News From Times Online: Al-Qaeda Leaders Admit: 'We Are In Crisis. There Is Panic And Fear'

My Comment: With coalition and civilian deaths going down, especially now when the climate is ideal for insurgent activity (not too hot, not too cold), gives testimony to the hypothesis that Al Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgents are at the end of a losing battle. This small diary, if authenticated, definitely gives a clear indication of this trend.

The fact that coalition forces have released this diary now ..... 3 months after it was obtained ..... also gives the impression that coalition forces believe that it is an authentic item, and that it would serve a better purpose now to have it released to the general public. The information war is just as important as the real one. This diary is a clear win for the forces against extremism.