Abu Musab Al- “Zarqawi was the principal foreign jihadist in Iraq. A Sunni extremist from Jordan, Zarqawi had worked for years with Iraq-based terrorists whom the CIA labeled as close affiliates of al Qaida. (In his letter, Zarqawi proposed a formal affiliation between himself and al Qaida.) Later, in October [17] 2004, Zarqawi would pledge fealty to Usama bin Laden and thereafter his group referred to itself as ‘al Qaida in Mesopotamia’ or ‘al Qaida in Iraq.’ ”
– Douglas Feith, War and Decision, Pages 478-479