CIA Director Hayden: U.S. Counterterrorism Doesn't Pass Muster
Posted by Patrick Barry
Michael Hayden has some dispiriting news about our worldwide counterterrorism efforts. In short, they're not going so well:
[CIA] director, Michael V. Hayden, identified North Africa and Somalia as places where Qaeda leaders were using partnerships to establish new bases. Elsewhere, Mr. Hayden said, Al Qaeda was “strengthening” in Yemen, and he added that veterans of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan had moved there, possibly to stage attacks against the government of Saudi Arabia.
He said the “bleed out” from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also extended to North Africa, raising concern that the countries there could be used to stage attacks into Europe. Mr. Hayden delivered his report in a speech to the Atlantic Council of the United States in Washington, and it offered a mixed assessment of Al Qaeda’s ability to wage a global jihad.
He drew a contrast between what he described as growing Islamic radicalism in places like Somalia and what he said had been the “strategic defeat” of Al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia — the network’s affiliate group in Iraq.
Compare this sobering assessment to the remarks by President Bush before the FBI a few weeks ago, in which he pointed to the absence of a terrorist attack on the homeland as a sign that U.S. counterterrorism efforts were succeeding, and it's hard not to leave with the impression that the President is living in a shuddered unreality. The fact that no major attack has occurred on U.S. soil since 9-11 is nothing to scoff at, but should it be the primary criteria for evaluating our worldwide counterterrorism strategy? Not when there is a rising tide of "Islamic radicalism, when former insurgents from Iraq are bringing newly acquired talents to bear in Afghanistan, and when al-Qaeda is strengthening franchises in Yemen and Somalia. While there thankfully has not been an attack on the homeland, the likelihood that such an incident will occur appears to be rising.
That Hayden should describe the diminishing significance of al-Qaeda in Iraq as a "strategic defeat" is also interesting. As a matter of internal Iraqi security, AQI's reduced significance does amount to a defeat for terrorists, but externally, that defeat looks less strategic than it does tactical. Elsewhere, al-Qaeda and other terrorist movements appear to be just as strong, if not stronger than they were before 9-11. The broader take-away from Hayden's assessment, and really every assessment from the intel community, is that U.S. counterterrorism policy has been, at best, like squeezing a water balloon - we're produced displacement, but nothing more.
Welcome to our game world, my friend asks me to buy some habbo gold . I do not know how to use the habbo coins ; my friend tells me how to use. I will thank for my friends bringing me in this world. I am not regret to buy buy habbo gold . We all love game, if you want to play it, please cheap habbo credits and join us. Please do not hesitate to have game.
Posted by: habbo credits | December 25, 2008 at 12:57 AM
When you have aoc gold, you will become strong. With conan gold, you can upgrade and admire by others. You can use age of conan gold to start the journey of the world. So, do not hesitate, let us move to buy cheap aoc gold
Posted by: aoc money | January 07, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Without thinking I buy some Metin2 gold . I use some Metin2 yang and want to find a good group.
Posted by: Metin2 gold | January 20, 2009 at 03:26 AM
I hope i can get Tales Of Pirates gold in low price,
Yesterday i buy Tales Of Pirates Gold for my friend.
Posted by: gg | March 05, 2009 at 08:17 PM
I think 2moons dil changes my life. I gain a lot of cheap 2moons gold and harvest in life.
Posted by: cheap 2moons gold | March 20, 2009 at 04:06 AM
I think 2moons dil changes my life.
Posted by: Fake Givenchy Bags | April 19, 2009 at 08:58 PM
I think 2moons dil changes my life.
Posted by: Bvlgari replica Earings | April 28, 2009 at 05:04 AM
This is a very good site..
sonra bedava chat
burasıda var bedava sohbet
Posted by: sohbet odaları | February 26, 2010 at 04:10 AM
e biodegradablechanel bags when you "stoop and scoop."
Dispose of animal waste according to the campground rules or bury it off-road.
Observe fire coguccinditions and always keep a full jug of water nearby.
Remove flammable brush near fire pits and keep campfires small.
Don't burn plastics and metalshermes.
Use non-toxic, phosphate-free, biodegradable cleaning supplies and sanitary additives.
Reduce the need louis vuitton for air-conditioning by parking in natural shade, opening windows, using awnings or portable sun shelters.
Wash air-conditionidesignerng filters when dirty, instead of buying new ones each time.
Reduce the need to turn on heat designer handbagsby parking in a sheltered spot, out of the north and west winds.
Posted by: Account Deleted | July 16, 2010 at 01:44 AM
Are you fighting in Final Fantasy XIV for FFXIV Gil or Final Fantasy XIV Gil?
Can you suffer yourself being called newbie in FFXIV Gil game?
Are you seeking unofficial Buy FFXIV Gil cheats or Final Fantasy XIV guides in order to make Final Fantasy XIV Gil faster?
Can you get millions of Cheap FFXIV Gil in one day?
Even if you know how to farm Buy Final Fantasy XIV Gil you have to prepare enough Final Fantasy XIV Power Leveling first to buy height class Final Fantasy XIV Items, to upgrade your Final Fantasy XIV characters.
FF14 Gil Then why not Buy FFXIV Gil from us?
In Final Fantasy XIV it's the fastest way FF14 Gil,for you to get rich. We are online 24 hours a day ready and 7 days one week to power up your FFXIV Gil accounts with FFXIV Gil. Here is the best place for the Final Fantasy XIV Online players to buy your Final Fantasy XIV Gil.
We are the professional website in FFXIV GIL sale.FFXIV GIL here,We are professional FFXIV Power Leveling online. We update price every single day to make sure we are the lowest in the market.(we don't compare price with scam sites which uses unbelievable low price to deceive.)
Our slogan:Cheapest price, Fastest delivery, Best service! Final Fantasy Xiv Gil
In the 2 years we are in this field , FFXIV Gilbuilt many business with tens of thousands of customers. They are very satisfied with our service.So if you want to get a log of Cheap FFXIV Gil ,no doubt ,come to our website to buy. Our customer service is ready for you on line now!(WWW,GM MMO,COM Sell FFXIV Gil)
Posted by: FFXIV Gil | August 22, 2010 at 03:16 PM