"Insurgents" under duress

Apparently Fallujah was a rousing success - for the Iraqis and the coalition. It sounds like the "insurgents" are getting desparate.

Over the last few days, Al Zarqawi supporters have appealed for help from Al Qaida and related groups. The sources said Al Qaida's allies, including the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call, have sought to increase recruitment of Muslim volunteers to fight the coalition.

The Internet has also reflected the growing concern that Islamic insurgents would be routed in Iraq. A message posted on an Islamic website appealed for help from Islamic insurgents in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Pakistan and the Palestinian Authority.

The message, posted by a purported insurgency supporter who used the name Abu Ahmed Al Baghdadi, acknowledged that the Sunni insurgency has been harmed by the U.S.-led offensive in Fallujah. Al Baghdadi said insurgents have lost their haven in Fallujah, but asserted that Al Zarqawi has acquired a broader base for operations and recruitment.

The US media just can't bring themselves to call Fallujah a victory for the coalition, but that's exactly what it is.

Elections are looking much more likely, which probably explains why the Sunnis have now changed their tune. Instead of saying they'll boycott the elections, now they trying to delay them for six months instead.

Once they realize that won't work either, watch for them to encourage Sunnis to vote to protect their rights.