Opinion Journal passes this on from a CNN report:
"A December posting on an Internet message board used by al Qaeda and its sympathizers and obtained by CNN, spells out a plan to topple the pro-U.S. government":
"We think the Spanish government will not stand more than two blows, or three at the most, before it will be forced to withdraw because of the public pressure on it," the al Qaeda document says.
"If its forces remain after these blows, the victory of the Socialist Party will be almost guaranteed--and the withdrawal of Spanish forces will be on its campaign manifesto."
It certainly worked. The pro-U.S. government was soundly defeated in the election held just after the train bombings in Spain. The rest of Europe needs to brace itself. Spain showed Al Qaeda it is willing to turn tail at the first sign of a threat. Since Al Qaeda achieved its goal with Spain, it only makes sense they will repeat this tactic with other countries.
Will this tactic work in the United States? Hopefully we won't find out in October.
