Al Qaeda #2: We'll Attack Iran

Recently, Senator John McCain has repeatedly indicated that Iran and al-Qaeda are in cahoots. The terror group's number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, would beg to differ. In a long-promised online Q&A session, Zawahiri says it would be "in the interest" of Al-Qaeda to see Iran "sap[ped]" by a fight with the United States. Moreover, he seems to promise that the extremist collective will "battle" whoever wins that U.S.-Iran struggle.

The dispute between America and Iran is a real dispute based on the struggle over areas of influence, and the possibility of America striking Iran is a real possibility. As for what might happen in the region, I can only say that major changes will occur in the region, and the situation will be in the interest of the Mujahideen if the war saps both of them.__ If, however, one of them emerges victorious, its influence will intensify and fierce battles will begin between it and the Mujahideen__, except that the Jihadi awakening currently under way and the degeneration state of affairs of the invaders in Afghanistan and Iraq will make it impossible for Iran or America to become the sole decision-maker in the region. (emphasis mine; translation courtesy of IntelCenter)

This isn't the first time Zawahiri has criticized Iran, either. In a videotape released in December, he said that "Iran has stabbed the Muslim Ummah [nation] in the back" during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.

It caused itself and the Shiites following it a historic disgrace. The signs of this stab will remain vivid in the Muslims'
memory for a very long time. The strange paradox to which I would like to draw attention is that despite the fact that Iran permitted the
Crusader troops to enter Iraq, recognized the agent government there, and pushed its militias to participate in this government's army, security services, and police force.

On other points, however, Zawahiri seems to be reinforcing some of McCain's warnings about al-Qaeda. The Republican Presidential candidate recently said that, "if we withdraw prematurely from Iraq, al Qaeda in Iraq will survive, proclaim victory and continue to provoke sectarian tensions... could easily descend into genocide, and destabilize the entire region."

Damn straight, Zawahiri replies. He "expect[s] the Jihadi influence to spread after the Americans' exit from Iraq, and to move towards Jerusalem."

(High five: AR)