Morning Brief, Thursday, June 8

They got him. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most wanted man in Iraq, has been killed by a US airstrike. So, is it a major watershed in the war or simply an important symbolic victory? His killing is the most significant public triumph for the U.S.-led coalition since the 2003 capture of Saddam Hussein, although analysts warned that ...

They got him. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most wanted man in Iraq, has been killed by a US airstrike. So, is it a major watershed in the war or simply an important symbolic victory?

They got him. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most wanted man in Iraq, has been killed by a US airstrike. So, is it a major watershed in the war or simply an important symbolic victory?

His killing is the most significant public triumph for the U.S.-led coalition since the 2003 capture of Saddam Hussein, although analysts warned that Zarqawi's killing would not stem the tide of insurgency and violence in Iraq any more than Hussein's capture did.

Bush strikes a cautious tone in his remarks, saying that violence in Iraq will surely continue. Blair does the same.

It's unquestionably a great day for Maliki. Zarqawi's death is at least a symbolic blow against the insurgency, and the news leads to swift confirmations for his defense, interior, and national security ministers.

In a fascinating look at Zarqawi's unlikely journey from a high-school dropout in the slums of Jordan to the most wanted man in Iraq, terrorism expert Loretta Napoleoni breaks down the myths surrounding the man in FP's "Profile of a Killer."

Iran is ready to talk. Does that signal Ahmadinejad's domestic weakness?

The language, while framed by talk of "misunderstandings," and "mutual concerns, " appeared intended as a clear signal that Iran was continuing to move toward talks.

It also served as a reminder of Ahmadinejad's uncertain status within Iran's power structure. Exactly three weeks ago, in his last visit to the provinces, the president made global headlines by dismissing Western proposals out of hand.

More African Union peacekeepers are to be sent into Darfur. The US is suspicious of Somali claims that the Islamist militias in Mogadishu won't harbor terrorists. Secret prisons report dismissed. Olmert pledges to meet Abbas soon. The Kremlin's oil machine. Fighting tolls on the internet.

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

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