Al Qaeda has Lost

Jack Kelly points to an assassination by the terrorists of a major Iraqi leader, which they hoped to forment civil war, but instead is rushing in change:

Last Thursday al Qaida killed with a roadside bomb Sheikh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, ... the founder and leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, the coalition of Sunni tribes that banded together to fight al Qaida. He, more than any person save Gen. David Petraeus, is responsible for the dramatic turnaround in Iraq...

By murdering the Lion of Anbar, al Qaida hopes to fragment the Anbar Salvation Council, weaken Sunni efforts to fight the terror group, and to foment strife between Sunni and Shia.

It could work out that way. But the murder of Sheikh Abu Risha also may backfire. More than 1,500 mourners attended his funeral. Mourners chanted "We will take our revenge," and "There is no God but Allah and al Qaida is the enemy of Allah," the BBC reported.

Further good news is the Sunni's have nominated Sheikh Abu Risha's brother, Ahmed as successor. Also, the one of the Sheikh's murderers have already been caught.