The discovery of insurgent safe houses and command centers thought to have been used by militants from the terrorist network of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi yielded a number of interesting intelligence ?finds,? but it was arguably the intelligence commentary on what was not found in the wake of the Falluja offensive (Intel Report, WAR Report, and WAR Report)?Zarqawi himself?that has lead to the most compelling insights on the insurgency.

The primary strategic goals of the joint US-Iraqi offensive against the recalcitrant insurgent stronghold and epicenter base of operations and command and control of Falluja was to land a body-blow against the insurgency and the Zarqawi terrorist network?setting insurgent fighters on their heels, degrading the insurgency?s fighting ranks and weapons material stocks?and demonstrating to the Iraqi people that Iraqi and US forces have regained the initiative and advantage against the insurgents. Zarqawi has ascended to become the most prominent and powerful terrorist commander and mastermind in Iraq. He recently pledged his terrorist network?s allegiance to Osama Bin Laden?s al-Qaeda (Group Profile) terrorist network, and, assumedly, has become al-Qaeda?s man in Iraq (Country Profile).