What to make of Zarqawi’s tape?

Fawaz Gerges is one of our senior analysts and is the Christian Johnson Chair in Middle East and International Affairs at Sarah Lawrence College. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s rare appearance comes just two days after a highly publicized call by Osama bin Laden that encourages Muslims to support al Qaeda in its war with the West and a day after a triple bombing at a resort in Egypt that killed at least 24 people and injured dozens more. Here are five points to consider: 1. This is the first website video, as opposed to previous audiotapes, of Zarqawi in which he portrays himself in a similar light to those of his elders – bin Laden and his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri. The images are almost the same with an automatic rifle at his side and similar rhetorical devices. In fact, the video shows "commander" Zarqawi, meeting with fighters briefing him on the battle – something neither bin Laden and Zawahiri has managed to do in the last few years. This commanding appearance is bound to raise his profile and stature among jihadis and other militants. 2. While Zawahiri and bin Laden talk about "a Zionist crusader war on Islam," and endeavor to incite young Muslim to action, Zarqawi goes further by saying that he and his men are winning the war not just in Iraq but also have their "eyes set on Jerusalem" – a call that resonates in the minds and hearts of ordinary Muslims. He is presenting himself as the field commander who is tilting the balance of forces in the Ummah’s (Muslim community worldwide) favor. Once again, one of his goals is to repair the damage that he inflicted on himself because of his indiscriminate terrorist methods in Iraq and Jordan. 3. Although he acknowledges "our emir Osama bin Laden," Zarqawi’s video is much about self-promotion and aggrandizement. The video begins with an introduction "Your brethren in the information committee of the Mujahedeen Consultative Council are happy to present the first video of the emir of the al Qaeda organization in the Land of Two Rivers, Abu Musab al Zarqawi." The emir of Mesopotamia feels the need for a formal introduction by his cohorts. Talk about a big ego! He is even shown in the desert, holding a heavy automatic rifle as if ready to fire. What courage! We might laugh at the absurdity of the scene. But his supporters and like-minded militants take heart. Emir Zarqawi is battling the American occupiers and their collaborators. He is alive and combative. 4. The recent steady stream of news reports about his imminent demise and marginalization has taken their toll on his fight. He is fighting back and trying to counter all those negative reports about his status. 5. Zarqawi’s video is designed for Iraqi eyes as much as it is for Arab, Muslim and Western eyes. With the selection of a new Iraqi prime minister and other members of the new government, Zarqawi is anxious lest Sunnis, who are leading the insurgency, reconsider their fight and give the political process a chance. “Beware those of you who join these collaborator agencies – the (Iraqi) army and police. By God, all they will get from us is a sharp sword, and we will have … battles that will turn children’s hair white,” he said. Far from being over, the play of Zarqawi will be with us for a while. We should expect more fireworks, and tragically, more bloodshed. Gerges is the author of the recently-published book “Journey of the Jihadist: Inside Muslim Militancy."