CNN has new pictures of terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, updating the psycho-lunatic photo commonly used with reports on his activities with a kindler, gentler image:

CNN recently obtained new pictures of a man believed to be terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, whose network in Iraq has been responsible for attacks on military and civilian targets. Al-Zarqawi is thought to be a close associate of Osama bin Laden, and has pledged his allegiance to bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist network.

In the photos, he is chatting and laughing with unknown men. ...

Intelligence officials said this week that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has enlisted the help of al-Zarqawi to plan new attacks inside the United States. Sources tell CNN the man in the photos is indeed al-Zarqawi.

It's not SOP for terrorists to have their pictures taken at parties, which makes me wonder about the circumstances of this release. Did Zarqawi mean for these pictures to be released? Or did someone in his inner circle intend to send a message? After all, Zarqawi has to move anonymously in Iraq in order to avoid capture. Having one's smiling face on CNN creates some difficulty in maintaining that anonymity.

One thing is probably certain: the guy who took the picture at this tea party probably won't be getting many invitations to Zarqawi functions in the future, unless it's his own wake.

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