The AP report would seem to add evidence to past TRC assessments (WAR Report and WAR Report) that terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is developing a global network capable of rivaling or succeeding Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda as the preeminent leader of a global Islamist terrorist network. At the very least, he is becoming the preeminent operational commander within the al-Qaeda network. In this ascendancy, Zarqawi?s command and exploits in Iraq of his al-Qaeda in the Land of the Two Rivers are stepping stones through which he can cultivate (1) his personal global notoriety, (2) his persona as a terrorist mastermind, and (3) the group and operative contacts and affiliations that may comprise his global network.

The reported contours of Zarqawi?s global network are certainly sobering, with US counter-terrorism officials reportedly saying that the network includes associates from 24 Muslim extremist groups in 40 countries stretching from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. This global terrorist network would seem to be striking in its global scope and breadth of Muslim extremist group affiliations. In light of these figures, the key counter-terrorism intelligence questions and avenues of exploration that emerge center on developing a more complete understanding of the actual operational strength and cohesiveness of this network, the degree and nature of Zarqawi?s operational command over it, and Zarqawi?s strategic and operational ambitions.