Thursday, January 3, 2013

Al-CIA-Duh Still Active in Afghanistan

Then we simply must stay, 'murkn. 

"Al Qaeda is weakened but stays active in Afghanistan" by Deb Riechmann  |  Associated Press, October 23, 2012

KABUL — A diminished but resilient Al Qaeda, whose 9/11 attacks drew America into its longest war, is attempting a comeback in Afghanistan’s mountainous east as US and allied forces wind down their combat mission and concede a small but steady toehold to the terrorist group.

Uh-oh! 

SeeThe President Who Lost Afghanistan

And if they ever got a nuclear bomb.... goodbye, Chicago!

That concerns US commanders, who have intensified strikes against Al Qaeda cells in recent months. It also undercuts an Obama administration narrative portraying Al Qaeda as battered to the point of being a nonissue in Afghanistan as Western troops start leaving....

As things stand, however, an unquestionably weakened Al Qaeda appears to have preserved at least limited means of regenerating inside Afghanistan as US influence in the country wanes....

For years the main target of US-led forces has been the Taliban, rulers of Afghanistan and protectors of Al Qaeda before the US invasion 11 years ago. But the strategic goal is to prevent Al Qaeda from again finding haven in Afghanistan from which to launch attacks on the United States.

Al Qaeda’s leadership fled in late 2001 to neighboring Pakistan, where it remains.

The group remains active inside Afghanistan, fighting US troops, spreading extremist messages, raising money, recruiting young Afghans and providing military expertise to the Taliban and other radical groups.

US General John Allen, the top commander of international forces in Afghanistan, has said Al Qaeda has reemerged, and although its numbers are small, he says the group doesn’t need a large presence to be influential.

US officials say they are committed, even after the combat mission ends in 2014, to doing whatever it takes to prevent a major resurgence. The Americans intend, for example, to have special operation forces at the ready to keep a long-term lid on Al Qaeda inside Afghanistan....

A more immediate worry is the threat posed by the growing presence of Al Qaeda and affiliated groups in Yemen, Somalia, and across a broad swath of North Africa....

RelatedGlobe Xmas Gift: AmeriKa to Occupy Africa

And wherever else oil and other vital minerals are to be found. 

US analysts say there is reason for concern that Al Qaeda is down, but not out....

At least for now, Al Qaeda in Afghanistan has no capability to launch attacks on the United States, although commanders are taking no chances.

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Related: Sunday Globe Special: Al-CIA-Duh Returning to Afghanistan

I'm just hoping you can see why I'm struggling to read the repetitive broken record that is an AmeriKan newspaper.