There was some discussion, primarily from Eric Martin over at Liberals Against Terrorism, as far as how Zarqawi's personal bigotry against Shi'ites (highlighted in his "total war" saber-rattling) is contrasted with bin Laden's more ecumenical view that sectarian conflicts are to be avoided in favor of a united front against the West. In the discussion that followed, I noted that even Zarqawi's "total war" rant appeared to distinguish between killing Shi'ites under the justification that they're collaborators versus killing them for sectarian purposes.

It appears I called things correctly, as Zarqawi is now clearly separating his earlier "total war" rhetoric by claiming that he wouldn't fight Sadr's followers and unidentified "other sects" who are willing to enter into co-belligerency with him or at least remain neutral while he's fighting the US and Jaafari.

Also, I see that Ayman al-Zawahiri is condemning the Afghan elections and taking credit for the London bombings. I don't find it too surprising that he's condemning an election that took place little more than 24 hours before the tape was aired, but then I've never bought into the idea that he's hiding in a cave or isn't in touch with his followers in a command and control capacity either. While the US official correctly notes that anyone can make a video claiming credit for the attack, the evidence that London bombings weren't an al-Qaeda operation is looking extremely thin at this point.