Letter from al-Zawahiri to al-Zarqawi

October 11, 2005
ODNI News Release No. 2-05

Today the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a letter between two senior al Qa'ida leaders, Ayman al-Zawahiri and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, that was obtained during counterterrorism operations in Iraq. This lengthy document provides a comprehensive view of al Qa'ida's strategy in Iraq and globally.

The letter from al-Zawahiri to al-Zarqawi is dated July 9, 2005. The contents were released only after assurances that no ongoing intelligence or military operations would be affected by making this document public.

The document has not been edited in any way and is released in its entirety in both the Arabic and English translated forms. The United States Government has the highest confidence in the letter's authenticity.

Al-Zawahiri's letter offers a strategic vision for al Qa'ida's direction for Iraq and beyond, and portraysal Qa'ida's senior leadership's isolation and dependence.

Among the letter's highlights are discussions indicating:

• 
  The centrality of the war in Iraq for the global jihad.
• 
  From al Qa'ida's point of view, the war does not end with an American departure.
• 
  An acknowledgment of the appeal of democracy to the Iraqis.
• 
  The strategic vision of inevitable conflict, with a tacit recognition of current political dynamics in Iraq; with a call by al-Zawahiri for political action equal to military action.
• 
  The need to maintain popular support at least until jihadist rule has been established.
• 
  Admission that more than half the struggle is taking place "in the battlefield of the media."

Letter in Arabic Letter in English


And, if you think that the 'liberal' media isn't a factor, read this excerpt from the letter:

"However, despite all of this, I say to you: that we are in a battle, and that more than half of this battle is taking place in the battlefield of the media. And that we are in a media battle in a race for the hearts and minds of our Umma. "

http://www.dni.gov/letter_in_english.doc