Editor's Note: This is the second report in a three-part analysis of the controversial Ayman al-Zawahiri letter. Having discussed our reasons for believing the controversial letter from al Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to Iraq's al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is authentic , we now turn to the contents of the letter — and its key insights into the jihadist movement. One of the central themes of the letter is al-Zawahiri's emphasis on taking a pragmatic approach — rather than stubborn adherence to ideology — to achieve al Qaeda's goals. Although the jihadists likely have been stressing political expediency for some time now, the letter serves to confirm that al Qaeda is not as dogmatic as most observers tend to believe. Al Qaeda's position in Iraq parallels that of the United States in that both have been largely unable to consolidate their gains or accomplish their strategic goals.