Zarqawi - the 'cover-ups'

Iraqis celebrate the death of al-Zarqawi during a demonstration in Najaf, south of Baghdad. Photograph:EPA/Hassan Ali

Now that bloggers have had a day to digest the news of the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, their postings have taken on a more cynical slant, writes Bonnie Malkin.

The Carpetbagger Report initially praised the killing of the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, but then turned sceptical:

One relevant angle to this story, however, that has not been emphasised (or even mentioned) by most news outlets today is that Zarqawi could have been taken out years ago, but Bush decided not to strike ... In fact, this happened more than once.

The blog quotes an NBC report saying the Bush administration had several chances to wipe out Zarqawi's terrorist operation and perhaps kill Zarqawi himself - but never pulled the trigger.