US still at risk from al-Qaeda
Sunday, 29 July 2007
Andrew Ward
Al-Qaeda could use contacts and capabilities developed in Iraq to mount fresh attacks on US soil, according to a new US intelligence estimate released recently.
The report said the US had become harder for terrorists to strike since the September 2001 attacks but al-Qaeda's network would continue to attempt mass-casualty assaults within the US.
"We are facing a persistent terrorist enemy led by al-Qaeda that remains driven and intent on attacking the homeland and that continues to adapt and improve its capabilities," said Fran Town-send, White House home-land security adviser.
"Of most concern is that al-Qaeda will try to exploit the conflict in Iraq and leverage the contacts and capabilities of al-Qaeda in Iraq."
National intelligence estimates bring together the views of all 16 US spy agencies, making them the most authoritative assessments of threats to the US.
The report was released amid growing concern within the US intelligence community at a resurgence in Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, particularly along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. It was reported recently that a new classified US intelligence assessment had judged al-Qaeda to be stronger than at any time since September 2001.
The latest declassified report confirmed that al-Qaeda had found safe haven in tribal areas of Pakistan and replaced senior leaders that have been captured or killed. "Al-Qaeda has protected or regenerated three of four key elements in planning an attack on the homeland: a safe haven in Pakistan, operational lieutenants and top leadership," said Ms Townsend.
She predicted that the terrorist network would intensify efforts to infiltrate operatives. Because of that risk, the US was in a "heightened threat environment".
"We have no credible information pointing to a specific imminent attack or the timing or execution of such an attack," said Ms Townsend. "But the warning is clear, and we are taking it seriously."
Michael Chertoff, the home-land security secretary, drew criticism recently for telling a newspaper that he had a "gut feeling" that al-Qaeda was preparing an attack.
Democrats said the report proved that the war in Iraq had made the US more vulnerable by giving al-Qaeda a new training and recruiting ground and by diverting attention and resources from pursuing terrorists elsewhere. Republicans pointed to parts of the report that showed how increased counter-terrorism measures had made the US more secure.
Ms Townsend said al-Qaeda's ability to strike the US had been "constrained" since September 2001. But she warned that international co-operation against terrorism could wane as September 11 became "a more distant memory and perceptions of the terrorist threat diverge".
"Al-Qaeda will continue to attempt visually dramatic mass casualty attacks in the homeland. And they will continue to acquire and employ chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials and will not hesitate to use them if they develop sufficient capability," she added.
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— FT Syndication Service
Al-Qaeda could use contacts and capabilities developed in Iraq to mount fresh attacks on US soil, according to a new US intelligence estimate released recently.
The report said the US had become harder for terrorists to strike since the September 2001 attacks but al-Qaeda's network would continue to attempt mass-casualty assaults within the US.
"We are facing a persistent terrorist enemy led by al-Qaeda that remains driven and intent on attacking the homeland and that continues to adapt and improve its capabilities," said Fran Town-send, White House home-land security adviser.
"Of most concern is that al-Qaeda will try to exploit the conflict in Iraq and leverage the contacts and capabilities of al-Qaeda in Iraq."
National intelligence estimates bring together the views of all 16 US spy agencies, making them the most authoritative assessments of threats to the US.
The report was released amid growing concern within the US intelligence community at a resurgence in Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, particularly along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. It was reported recently that a new classified US intelligence assessment had judged al-Qaeda to be stronger than at any time since September 2001.
The latest declassified report confirmed that al-Qaeda had found safe haven in tribal areas of Pakistan and replaced senior leaders that have been captured or killed. "Al-Qaeda has protected or regenerated three of four key elements in planning an attack on the homeland: a safe haven in Pakistan, operational lieutenants and top leadership," said Ms Townsend.
She predicted that the terrorist network would intensify efforts to infiltrate operatives. Because of that risk, the US was in a "heightened threat environment".
"We have no credible information pointing to a specific imminent attack or the timing or execution of such an attack," said Ms Townsend. "But the warning is clear, and we are taking it seriously."
Michael Chertoff, the home-land security secretary, drew criticism recently for telling a newspaper that he had a "gut feeling" that al-Qaeda was preparing an attack.
Democrats said the report proved that the war in Iraq had made the US more vulnerable by giving al-Qaeda a new training and recruiting ground and by diverting attention and resources from pursuing terrorists elsewhere. Republicans pointed to parts of the report that showed how increased counter-terrorism measures had made the US more secure.
Ms Townsend said al-Qaeda's ability to strike the US had been "constrained" since September 2001. But she warned that international co-operation against terrorism could wane as September 11 became "a more distant memory and perceptions of the terrorist threat diverge".
"Al-Qaeda will continue to attempt visually dramatic mass casualty attacks in the homeland. And they will continue to acquire and employ chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials and will not hesitate to use them if they develop sufficient capability," she added.
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— FT Syndication Service