Zarqawi Retreats

Let's remember that following the bombings in Jordan, there were mass demonstrations against al-Qaeda and Zarqawi. Now, let's forget for a moment that many protesters were not upset about bombing innocent people, but innocent Muslims. Focus on the fact that in response to mass protests (a sign of strength) Zarqawi backed down. There is good chance that there would not have been any apology if there had not been any protests. Zarqawi has killed many Muslims before and there is no reason to believe he wouldn't do it again.
What does it mean for the US? A show of strength by the US would send Zarqawi into retreat. Zarqawi thrives on the US's political sensibilities. Bush needs to know he has limited time to DEFEAT the "insurgents" rather than try to 'wait it out.'

The head of al Qaeda in Iraq said in an audiotape Friday that his group's suicide bombers did not intend to hit a Jordanian wedding party in last week's deadly hotel bombings, responding to criticism even from sympathizers over an attack that killed mostly Muslim civilians. In the tape, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi also threatened more attacks against hotels and tourist sites and military bases in Jordan and threatened to kill Jordan's King Abdullah II. "Your star is fading. You will not escape your fate, you descendant of traitors. We will be able to reach your head and chop it off," al-Zarqawi said, referring to the king. Al-Zarqawi told Jordanians to stay away from bases used by U.S. forces in Jordan, hotels and tourist sites in Amman, the Dead Sea and the southern resort of Aqaba and embassies of governments participating in the war in Iraq — saying they would be targeted. He underlined that al Qaeda in Iraq is not targeting fellow Muslims. "We want to assure you that ... you are more beloved
to us than ourselves," he said, addressing Jordanians. CBS