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Lawrence Wright: Underestimating Al Qaeda Eight years after 9/11, many analysts are saying that Al Qaeda is finished. That’s not true. The inner circle of that organization is much reduced; Egyptian intelligence told me a couple of years ago that it numbers about two hundred men, and the C.I.A. estimates it contains perhaps three hundred to five hundred. Certainly it’s nowhere near its pre-9/11 strength. But from Al Qaeda’s perspective, things aren’t all bleak. Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri are still free. Moreover, since November 2001, when Mohammed Atef, Al Qaeda’s military chief, was killed by an American bomb, not a single member of the the shura council—the core of Al Qaeda—has been captured or killed. The propaganda arm is producing video and audio messages at a furious rate, and with excellent production qualities. Al Qaeda’s affiliates, especially in North Africa and Yemen, have been murderously active. The Taliban, Al Qaeda’s greatest ally, is making a comeback in Afghanistan and threaten much of western Pakistan. The fact that Al Qaeda is still kicking, twenty-one years after its founding, is a testament to its adaptability—and to the failure of the U.S. and its allies to penetrate the organization. Al Qaeda certainly is under pressure and in danger of losing its relevance to radical or disaffected Muslims around the world, but who would really be surprised to discover another bomb—or a trademark simultaneous, multiple attack—once again in a Western city? Many hope Al Qaeda has been put to sleep, but the truth is, as long as bin Laden is free, he and his followers pose a threat.
Originally posted by thebluecadet
is anyone else trippin out on this story?
Last week a whistle blower gave the date tues sept 15, 2009 as a date he had heard something BIG was going to happen...
then another Said friday they heard that this weekend could be big in the midwest due to some training.
now we are hearing the FBI preemptively talking about a terror suspect with bomb making capabilities who came from the midwest and is now back in the midwest...
something may happen tomorrow...
thoughts?
Originally posted by really
reply to post by JJay55
"Good news is that the Pentagon, NYC, and Toronto attempts were thwarted. Only 11 more to go."
...... how do you know this?
Originally posted by JJay55
Originally posted by really
reply to post by JJay55
"Good news is that the Pentagon, NYC, and Toronto attempts were thwarted. Only 11 more to go."
...... how do you know this?
Friday the Coast Guard had a shoot out on the Potomac.
Today NYC and Toronto were busted.
I listen to analysists.
Originally posted by JJay55
reply to post by Smurfwicked
But no one is panicking. We just want to be aware and alert. It's not about fear. I think we are all adults and aren't the scardy cats you are dreaming of. If you want to be a skeptic go back to sleep. Meanwhile those who know Islamic terrorism will be doing their jobs.
Everyone knows the next attack will be a dozen attacks in US and EU. That's common knowledge that has been out there for years. The 7 phase plan clearly lays it out.
As for the swine flu, all governments have biological weapons in their arsonnels.