It looks like Hollywood is not the only film—making place in trouble these days. Following the death of Zarqawi there has also been a noticeable decline in the quality of the cinematographic output by the Iraqi insurgents. Their trademark beheading videos — so artfully staged not so long ago — are now marred by low production standards and embarrassing ineptness of the protagonists. Unfocused and badly put together, they are what can only be called amateur stuff.

The latest one features a hapless jihadist struggling to hack off the head of his victim with what looks like a poorly—sharpened knife. Having clumsily completed his gruesome task, he then repeatedly attempts to stand the severed part on the back of the lifeless body. When it becomes clear that he will not succeed, the ever—resourceful cameraman tries to escape the embarrassment by filming the walls of the ramshackle room which served as the setting for this pitiful performance. The whole fiasco only seems to confirm the suspicion of many that in addition to being unspeakable brutes, these ruffians are also heavyweight morons.

Whatever we may think of Zarqawi's failings as a human being, one thing at least we must grant him: The man really knew how to behead his hostages. Having a butcher's touch and a flair for the dramatic and macabre, he could put on quite a spectacle.

It is now painfully obvious that the brave new beheaders lack the finesse of their hero who was just blasted off to his virgins by two American 500 pounders. Their wretched little videos featuring gauche hatchet jobs reflect most poorly on the prestige and dignity of their jihad.

We should draw comfort and encouragement from the fact that these bunglers boast of being Zarqawi's successors. If this is the best the insurgency has to offer, it truly must be on its last legs. It is simply inconceivable that the excellently trained and superbly equipped US military could be defeated by these dim—witted desperadoes. Now is the time to crank up the pressure, finish the job and deliver justice to as many of them as can be caught.

Vasko Kohlmayer   7 5 06