TIMED FOR THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of September 11, Ayman al-Zawahiri released a video tape calling for another round attacks. The tape includes at least two important items that should not be overlooked.

The early reporting on the tape indicated that Zawahiri had threatened Arab Gulf States. He made specific references to Iraq, but he also threatened attacks against one or more of the other Gulf States, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates. But it is now clear that he also threatened strikes against America (again). Of perhaps greater note, Zawahiri announced that a long-time al Qaeda affiliate, the Algerian Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), had “joined” al Qaeda.