Rummy said that al-Zarqawi's execution by U.S. troops in Iraq today was "a significant victory in the battle against terrorism." The coalition may see it the same way. Al-Zarqawi was a hero to coalition members in real-life, but in death becomes truly invincible as a martyr to the cause. Whenever you see Al-Qaeda training videos you'll hear the almost-poetic singing in the background. In 99.9% of the cases this singing is about the glories of God's cause and the souls of martyrs. Music always reflects culture - that's sociology 101.
The Bush administration's approach to this as a victory clearly shows the difference in cultures that is one major reason we're in this mess in the first place. We have a system dependent upon leaders, Al-Qaeda has a system dependent upon brothers.
Whereas we think offing a leader pretty much squelches the opposition, Al-Qaeda sees this as one brother attaining sainthood and leaving his space open for others. Sure Al-Qaeda has its leaders, but they are not "leaders" in the sense that we Americans think, and this "victory" will have its price in blood.
Never under-estimate the value of martyrdom, keep in mind that our current leadership focuses its entire values system around that of another martyr.