I thought I'd bring this topic up as a thread unto itself since it is of significance and very pivotol in the war on terror.
Along with the success of the latest Surge through the General Petraeus effective advance/consolidate strategy, the formerly enemy Sunni militant groups are now siding openly with the Coalition forces to eradicate al quaeda+ their supporters and other 'hostile' iraqi militias.

These groups are banding together in an alliance known as 'the Awakening Councils'. And they're paying the price. Leaders of these new freedom fighters are being assasinated on a regular basis lately.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22534849/

Of course it's nothing new seeing Iraqis sacrificing themselves during this war for a better liberated lifestyle -notably amongst police/army recruits risking getting blown up when signing up for service, but as in the link below, Iraqis are reinforcing the message that in spite of the common flakey claims of jihadists that those in the free world are afraid to die for what they and their loved ones live for, the reality is otherwise - [these jihadists must be illiterate if they can't read about how many millions died fighting against Fascists in ww2 ].

Next link tells briefly of 3 heroic Iraqi soldiers who should be remembered for their doomed sacrifice.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/5432579.html

Shhhhhhh! Don't tell anyone things might be going in the right direction.

Great post Hellfighter! The Sunni leaders that support the coalition have been getting killed for some months now, but it has not prevented the Sunni's from joining up.

The recent flurry of video tapes put forth by Al Qaeda would appear to show that they are very worried about the way the 'jihad' is going. They are rapidly loosing people, ground and support in Iraq. This was their key battle ground on the war against the US. Even though they have repeatedly warned of forthcoming attacks in the US, they have failed in delivery of that promise.

Right direction or not, it doesn't mean the reasons for being there and its cost is right. Furthermore although things are looking somewhat positive now/this moment, does not mean it can all crash down for other reasons. The Generals that are there and winning, will say the same thing. It's all on the edge of a blade for now.... and bombings are still ongoing- and unfortunately Bum Laden's cronies are still there.
I'm really saying without the US forces having the confidence of seeing Iraqis now willing to openly sacrifice themselves from leadership down, the consolidation victories/strategy would not be possible.




In my opinion it's delivery of the 'type of grand attacks' they want to carry out. It's not impossible they can more easily carry out equally nauseating smaller attacks.