The London Times has a fascinating article written by Abdel Bari Atwan, author of the book The Secret History of Al-Qa’ida and editor in chief of the daily newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi, concerning what Atwan calls the new face of Al Qaida and how different the new breed is to the old guard (OBL).

Zarqawi’s agenda was to prove even more radical than that of the Al-Qaeda leadership; in May 2005, firmly under the Al-Qaeda banner, Zarqawi declared that “collateral killing” of Muslims was justified under “overriding necessity”. He brought a new level of psychological terror to operations with his ferocious reputation.

In July last year his old spiritual mentor, Maqdisi — still in jail in Jordan — questioned Zarqawi’s attacks on civilians, especially women and children, and his targeting of Shi’ites. Zarqawi responded with an internet posting asserting that “al-Maqdisi is being lured into the path of Satan”.

This was a drastic turn of events that went relatively unmentioned in the West.  For Zarqawi to even question the motives of a man like Maqdisi much less say he is on the way towards becomming and apostate is quite shocking.  Zarqawi prides himself on being a man close to Allah; preaching and carrying out jihad in the way he sees Allah wishes.  Even while in prison in Jordan before being released in 1999, Zarqawi was seen as those around him as devoted to Islam and would be seen weeping from his devotion.  It was Maqdisi whom basically told Zarqawi how to feel or helped lead him down his current path.

Even clerics in Iraq explain Zarqawi is polite to elders.  That’s not so though for his former Islamic mentor.  All his former mentor did was disagreed with the war Zarqawi declared on Shiites and Zarqawi’s rationalization of killing other Muslims.

Atwan then discusses the future of Al Qaida.

WHAT of the future? Bin Laden remains unchallenged as Al-Qaeda’s spiritual leader, but his fugitive status has created a vacancy for an overall military commander. This will almost certainly be filled by Zarqawi: a recent communiqué from Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Two Rivers referred to him as the “most likely emir of the organisation in the Middle East and North Africa”.

[Abu Musab al-Suri, a.k.a. Omar Abdul Hakim, a.k.a. Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, a.k.a. red bearded Spainard] was one of the key figures who, like Zarqawi, opposed the 9/ll attacks. They have since become close collaborators. The Syrian is said to be an Al-Qaeda recruiter.

Zarqawi has maintained connections in Europe for many years, and these are nurtured by Suri, who is believed to control several Al-Qaeda groups in the West. Both men are suspected of involvement in the attacks on Madrid and London claimed by “Al-Qaeda in Europe”.

The new generation of Al-Qaeda leaders is in place – with Zarqawi and the Suri among them – and the organisation has become even more hardline as a result. The new ruthlessness about relentless violence directed at a wide range of targets in Iraq is clearly designed to shock and terrorise their enemies. But Iraq has now become a platform from which to launch international operations.

Nassar has since been captured in Pakistan.  Since his detention, a letter written by Nasar pre-arrest was released where he peddles his book and a video was released where Nasar threatens France.

According to Atwan, both Zarqawi and Nasar opposed 9/11 not because of who the target was, but because of how the United States would react to the attack.  Assuming this is correct, both are correct without question.  The old Al Qaida is largely decimated, but the world of people like Zarqawi and Nasar have helped bring a new breed to the table.  One of two leaders of that ring are captured now however, and I’m confident the remaining one will be dead or captured this year.

Atwan visited Tora Bora and met with Bin Laden.  Because I am always fascinated as to why a billionaire would exchange his lavish digs for a cave, I enjoy reading how comfortable Bin Laden was in his mountain hideout.  The food?

As I had been eating so badly since coming to Afghanistan I was looking forward to our first meal. I’d imagined we would feast on roast deer or goat. When I saw what was available at the Eagle’s Nest, as his base was called, I thought chicken was perhaps a more likely dish.

It was still a great surprise to discover that dinner on the first night consisted of Arab-style potato chips soaking in cottonseed oil; a plate of fried eggs; salty cheese of a variety long extinct even in the villages of upper Egypt; and a bread bun that must have been kneaded with sand, as my teeth screeched and ground whenever I chewed it.

After a few bites I pretended that I did not usually eat dinner for health reasons.

Another meal featured Bin Laden’s favourite, bread with yogurt and rice, served with potatoes cooked in tomato sauce. Animal fat floated on the surface, and I could hardly force it down my throat. Afterwards I was sick under a pine tree outside the cave.

And we have a new course to serve at Guantanomo Bay.  Instead of orange chicken and peking duck, serve the detainees Osama Bin Laden potato chips.

Hat tip to C.S. Scott at Security Watchtower for The London Times article.  Scott also has some great commentary on this article that is well worth the read and on topics which I chose not to discuss.

In other Al Qaida in Iraq news . . .
Abu al-Farouq, an alleged top aide to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was captured near Ramadi, Iraq according to a military spokesman.

The officer said al-Farouq and five other al-Qaida operatives were captured based on a tip from residents near al-Bakr, about 30 miles west of the insurgent stronghold [ed. Al Qaida in Iraq claims it controls Ramadi but evidence shows the contrary is true] of Ramadi.

“Abou al-Farouq, a Syrian, was in charge of planning and financing militant groups operating in Ramadi while the other five are responsible of attacking Iraqi and coalition forces,” the officer told The Associated Press.

Keep rounding ‘em up.