Politics

Caucus Chairman Emanuel on Al Qaeda Resurgence

By Jesse Lee

Intelligence Chief Cites Qaeda Threat to U.S.
Mark Mazzetti, New York Times - February 6, 2008

Al Qaeda is gaining in strength from its refuge in Pakistan and is steadily improving its ability to recruit, train and position operatives capable of carrying out attacks inside the United States, the director of national intelligence told a Senate panel on Tuesday.

The director, Mike McConnell, told lawmakers that Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, remained in control of the terrorist group and had promoted a new generation of lieutenants. He said Al Qaeda was also improving what he called ?the last key aspect of its ability to attack the U.S.? ? producing militants, including new Western recruits, capable of blending into American society and attacking domestic targets.

A senior intelligence official said Tuesday evening that the testimony was based in part on new evidence that Qaeda operatives in Pakistan were training Westerners, most likely including American citizens, to carry out attacks. The official said there was no indication as yet that Al Qaeda had succeeded in getting operatives into the United States.

The testimony, in an annual assessment of the threats facing the United States, was the latest indication that Al Qaeda appears to have significantly rebuilt a network battered by the American invasion of Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel responded:

?Director McConnell’s testimony demonstrates the dire consequences of the President?s confusion between the war on terror and the war in Iraq. After seven years, and hundreds of billions of dollars, Osama bin Laden remains at large and Al Qaeda is growing stronger. And the growing strength of Al Qaeda and its ability to hit America only highlights the impact of diverting resources to the war in Iraq. Director McConnell’s testimony confirmed that the Bush plan is not working. It is time for a new strategy and new leadership.?

Full post as published by The Gavel on February 06, 2008 (boomark / email).