tkhayes 348 #1 July 12, 2007 QuoteFrom Kelli Arena CNN Washington Bureau WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Al Qaeda is the strongest it has been since the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a new U.S. government analysis concludes, according to a senior government official who has seen it. Despite a campaign of military action and counterterrorism operations, al Qaeda has regained its strength and found safe haven in the tribal areas of Pakistan, the report says, according to counterterrorism officials familiar with the report. The five-page intelligence analysis remains classified and was prepared for senior U.S. policymakers. It was not issued in response to a specific threat. Two intelligence officials said the report's finding are similar to what is expected to be in the National Intelligence Estimate anticipated to be released later this summer. The NIE is the intelligence community's collective analysis of pressing national security issues. The White House's view is that "over the past six years, we have prevented attacks from al Qaeda by taking the fight to them," a senior administration official said. "But they are an enemy that adapts." This new report backs up warnings by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and other officials that al Qaeda remains a serious threat and that the United States is vulnerable despite the numerous security changes made since September 11, 2001. Watch Chertoff explain his "gut feeling" » Chertoff said Wednesday, however, that there is no "specific, credible information" that terrorist attacks on the United States are imminent. In a House Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday, several senior intelligence officials talked about how the terrorist group has found refuge in parts of Pakistan. "We actually see the al Qaeda central being resurgent in their role in planning operations," John Kringen, head of the CIA's intelligence directorate, testified at the hearing Wednesday. "They seem to be fairly well settled into the safe haven in the ungoverned spaces of Pakistan there. We see more training. We see more money. We see more communications." Thomas Fingar, deputy director of national intelligence, told lawmakers that al Qaeda leaders hiding in Pakistan are able to maintain relationships "with affiliates throughout the Middle East, North and East Africa and Europe." In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said it was no surprise al Qaeda has been able to reorganize and rebuild "given President Bush's stubborn dedication to keeping our overextended military mired in an Iraqi civil war." "It is a travesty that Osama bin Laden remains at large nearly six years after the 9/11 attacks and appears to have found new sanctuary to operate freely in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border regions," Reid said. "The Bush administration and most congressional Republicans would rather stubbornly stick with a flawed strategy and fight a war that senior military leaders say cannot be won militarily, than adapt to fighting the enemy who attacked us six years ago." In recent weeks, counterterrorism authorities have expressed concern about the possibility of another attack on U.S. soil, saying several factors, such as the thwarted terror plots in Britain, have them on edge. The FBI has created a small group of agents and analysts to examine new threats and leads over the summer, a bureau official told CNN. The group, which was created several weeks ago, is supplementing what agents and others are also doing in field offices across the country and is an example of how the government is trying to make sure no credible lead is missed, the official said. Thank GOD we're doing such a great job on the war or terror! I'm sure another $500B or so should fix it.....let's just keep thrwing the money away (and the American soldiers lives too) I guess now we have no choice to but to 'continue' the war - since the problem only got worse. Maybe we outta nuke the rest of the world - just to be sure we get all of them. TK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #2 July 12, 2007 maybe the REAL terrorists sit in the white house? *ducksandruns*“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #3 July 12, 2007 Oops. On the way to the war on terror we took a left at Iraq and we are still lost. We SHOULD be threatening border incursions into Pakistan if they don't hand over Bin Laden, just like we told the Taliban. Our "good friend" Musharraf is harboring terrorists and pumping them out from the Pakistani madrassas as fast as ever. But no, Musharraf is weak, despite the US propping him up, Pakistan is a nuclear country, and the entire world is not lost on the fact that we support a dictator who came to power in a coup (CIA anyone?). On top of that, we sell Pakistan arms despite a ban on selling any US military items to leaders who came to power in a coup - there is a special exemption for Pakistan. How convenient. Until we deal with Pakistan and their sheltering of Bin Laden, the war on terror is forever lost. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #4 July 12, 2007 Quote Our "good friend" Musharraf is harboring terrorists and pumping them out from the Pakistani madrassas as fast as ever. UM, to be fair here, I don't think Musharraf is a big fan & supporter of Al Quaeda or the Taliban (considering the fact that they all keep trying to assassinate him).Try to keep all the players straight here please. It was the same kind of imprecise thinking that got us into the war in Iraq. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #5 July 12, 2007 Yes, and when they get him we will have armed one of our newest and most dangerous enemies. This is the reason for the law against arming leaders who come to power in a coup. Bush pledged to get Bin Laden, and if Musharraf is such a good friend, why would he oppose the USA sending in some forces to get him? Why would he not hand Bin Laden over to us as a gesture of friendship? After all, we are the only thing keeping him in office. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #6 July 12, 2007 He can't hand him over because he can't find bin Laden or Zawahri! Look, I'm not saying Musharraf is a great guy, but I think we still need to think with precision about the history of Musharraf & the battles going on there. Musharraf is not trying to protect Al Quada or the Taliban (why would he, since they're trying to kill him??). He wants them killed or captured as much as we do, but Western Pakistan is very wild & there are lots of Taliban & AQ supporters there. He's just not in control of the situation. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #7 July 12, 2007 Quoteif Musharraf is such a good friend, why would he oppose the USA sending in some forces to get him? Because it would be political, and perhaps literal, suicide for him. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,564 #8 July 12, 2007 QuoteWhy would he not hand Bin Laden over to us as a gesture of friendship? Because he doesn't 'have' him, by any chance?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 855 #9 July 12, 2007 Our support of Musharraf is eerily reminiscent of our dealings with Iran in the past....and Iraq....we support a leader and not a nation, a nation that in large part does not support the leader. I'd love to know what the CIA is up to in Pakistan. We're alienating ourselves again. It's little wonder the middle east dislikes us Americans so. I'd bet we're playing all sides like we did during the Iran - Iraq war. Add to that, this report comes from the same folks that gave us the "weapons of mass destruction" line.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #10 July 12, 2007 I know he is not supporting them, but he is also not doing nearly enough. And if he is such a weak leader that he cannot capture terrorists in his own country, then he is not worth spit. The fact is, Bush promised to hunt down Bin Laden, and that is the one thing I support him doing right now. I'd support sending troops into Pakistan. I'd support doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to get Bin Laden. That is what this was all supposed to be about in the first place. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #11 July 12, 2007 QuoteI know he is not supporting them, but he is also not doing nearly enough. And if he is such a weak leader that he cannot capture terrorists in his own country, then he is not worth spit. The fact is, Bush promised to hunt down Bin Laden, and that is the one thing I support him doing right now. I'd support sending troops into Pakistan. I'd support doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to get Bin Laden. That is what this was all supposed to be about in the first place. That's what YOU think. You should read the PNAC manifesto to see what it's really about.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #12 July 12, 2007 QuoteQuoteI know he is not supporting them, but he is also not doing nearly enough. And if he is such a weak leader that he cannot capture terrorists in his own country, then he is not worth spit. The fact is, Bush promised to hunt down Bin Laden, and that is the one thing I support him doing right now. I'd support sending troops into Pakistan. I'd support doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to get Bin Laden. That is what this was all supposed to be about in the first place. That's what YOU think. You should read the PNAC manifesto to see what it's really about. I have read it, believe me. I said SUPPOSED to be about! -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #13 July 12, 2007 Quote Oops. On the way to the war on terror we took a left at Iraq and we are still lost. We SHOULD be threatening border incursions into Pakistan if they don't hand over Bin Laden, just like we told the Taliban. Our "good friend" Musharraf is harboring terrorists and pumping them out from the Pakistani madrassas as fast as ever. But no, Musharraf is weak, despite the US propping him up, Pakistan is a nuclear country, and the entire world is not lost on the fact that we support a dictator who came to power in a coup (CIA anyone?). On top of that, we sell Pakistan arms despite a ban on selling any US military items to leaders who came to power in a coup - there is a special exemption for Pakistan. How convenient. Until we deal with Pakistan and their sheltering of Bin Laden, the war on terror is forever lost. I guess you haven't seen the news lately As for Bin he's most likely dead and even if he's not he's irrelevant to the global call to Jihad now.When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #14 July 12, 2007 QuoteAnd if he is such a weak leader that he cannot capture terrorists in his own country, then he is not worth spit. Regardless, he is worth as much as the red button he has (for now) control over. Musharraf is still in power because he can walk a fine line: remaining friendly to the West, while being soft enough on the extremists so that their cause doesn't spread to the more moderate casts, then the general population. We could probably push him to go further, but it would amount to raising the ante in terms of whose bitch the red button really is. Many people do not want to take the risk of finding out they were standing on the wrong side of a missile... "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enrique 0 #15 July 12, 2007 What's a few thousand lives here and there? After all, they're doing their job of keeping America and the world safe, and everyone is proud to have a hero in their family. Next thing you know the Costa Rican army will become a threat! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tkhayes 348 #16 July 12, 2007 True, Bin Laden is pretty much insignificant at this point. We caught Saddam and watched him get executed - did nothing either way for terrorism If we caught Bin Laden otmorrow, it would make no difference - we have pissed off far too many people in the world - people who have access to money, arms and a will to die for their cause. Great big pile of shit and no way out it seems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #17 July 12, 2007 The boss is Zawahri now, not bin Laden. Binny Hill Laden could be dead right now for all we know (or running through the mountains in fast motion to saxophone music ) Zawahri is like the little old bald guy that Benny Hill always slaps on the head. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #18 July 12, 2007 So very disappointing. Since the "Axis of Evil" speech, we stopped fighting Al Qaeda (the people who actually attacked us) and invaded the lone member of the Axis of Evil that posed no immediate threat to us. The remaining two members are actively engaged in proliferating nuclear weapons while the white house is outing covert CIA agents whose assignments are to monitor and assess the proliferation of nuclear weapons. To fund these great accomplishments and further our involvement in what we have turned into an Iraqi civil war, we sold unthinkable amounts of debt to China. In the face of all facts to the contrary, we continue to fight an intangible enemy and lose brave young men and women. How anyone can spin that into something less than a completely embarrassing failure is beyond me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #19 July 12, 2007 Really? And how long have you been at CIA? -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #20 July 12, 2007 cia? this has been common knowledge. actually it was zawahri who was into this jihad shit before bin laden was. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #21 July 12, 2007 If you think for one minute that Bin Laden is not a rally point for this movement, you are mistaken. He planned and executed the most spectacular terrorst act in history against the most powerful nation in history, and got away with it. Besides, I could give 2 shits about what he is doing now. I'd invade China if they were harboring him, to bring him to justice and make him pay for what he did. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,564 #22 July 12, 2007 QuoteBesides, I could give 2 shits about what he is doing now. I'd invade China if they were harboring him, to bring him to justice and make him pay for what he did. Really? You don't think that would be destined to go down in history as the most spectacularly idiotic decision ever made?Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #23 July 12, 2007 QuoteQuoteBesides, I could give 2 shits about what he is doing now. I'd invade China if they were harboring him, to bring him to justice and make him pay for what he did. Really? You don't think that would be destined to go down in history as the most spectacularly idiotic decision ever made? Or the most brilliant...... who the hell knows. I suppose you have a crystal ball. It was conjecture anyway. What I am saying is that we let him go, and that is totally fucked. And he's not in China anyways. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #24 July 12, 2007 Do you have a number in your head, of innocent deaths that you are willing to accept, in order to capture OBL? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #25 July 12, 2007 QuoteDo you have a number in your head, of innocent deaths that you are willing to accept, in order to capture OBL? Define innocent. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
