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!
See: The 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....
Related: Globe 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.
--more--"
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.
