Noting all of the Diaries regarding the reporting on ABC and MSNBC that Zaqarwi is dead. Thus, I bring this little tidbit from a June 7 article on
Strategy Page, filed under "Military Blunders": (more below the fold)
Given that Zarqawi has become a loose cannon and that his actions are handicapping Al Qaeda's efforts, it seems reasonable to expect that an accident may befall him at some point in the near future. If handled right it can be made to look like he went out in a blaze of glory fighting American troops or that he was foully murdered. Either way, al Qaeda gets rid of a problem and gains another "martyr."
Usually, when predictions like this are made, someone has some inside info. And, as I've been making note of Zaqarwi's seemingly slow slide downward as reported in the press the past year, I thought it interesting.
Regardless of how Zaqarwi dies, it would be smart, considering the current situation in Iraq, to claim victory in its entirety for Zaqarwi's death.
Keep an eye out to see if different manners of death are offered at first, indicating a not entirely coordinated "one message" campaign.
Watch it unfold.