Al Qaeda's base
James Forsyth 3:37pm
The New York Times’ big splash today on the hunt for Osama bin Laden is well worth reading in full as it deals with the more important question of what Al Qaeda is capable of now. Here are the two key paragraphs on this point:
Just as it had on the day before 9/11, Al Qaeda now has a band of terrorist camps from which to plan and train for attacks against Western targets, including the United States. Officials say the new camps are smaller than the ones the group used prior to 2001. However, despite dozens of American missile strikes in Pakistan since 2002, one retired C.I.A. officer estimated that the makeshift training compounds now have as many as 2,000 local and foreign militants, up from several hundred three years ago.
…
“The United States faces a threat from Al Qaeda today that is comparable to what it faced on Sept. 11, 2001,” said Seth Jones, a Pentagon consultant and a terrorism expert at the RAND Corporation. “The base of operations has moved only a short distance, roughly the difference from New York to Philadelphia.”
How to deal with this Pakistan problem is the foreign policy question that is discussed most vigorously in off the record meetings. There is no easy answer but allowing Al Qaeda a safe haven from which to plan attacks is clearly not an acceptable answer.
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Elizabeth
July 2nd, 2008 7:49amIf some excellent people are to be believed the Al Qaeda HQs are certain rooms at the Pentagon and the CIA Head Office.
Just something to ponder.
tangshui
July 2nd, 2008 8:46amWhy can't US take out these terroists as did to the German and the Japanese during WWII? Do US has to wait for another attack before action taken? Right now we are sitting duck waiting for Pakistan approval before taking out these terroists. I believe when the Democrat take charge, all hell will break loose since Democrat main weapon is to appease and negotiation with the enemies. This party represents weakness not strength by might. If not for US might and an able president at the present, the terroist monumental effort would been unleashed. I believe God will allow Obama win on the account US do not desire the blessing of God by her social wickedness beginning 1953. The tide is turning and there is no stopping what God will do. As much as I love America, the hand writing is already on the wall. Ask yourself why so many devastation occurring in such a short span of time. It is just the beginning of sorrow and distress as the Bible put it. Are you saved? Turn to Jesus, he will save you.