Iraq — The leader of the Sunni insurgent group al-Qaida in Iraq and several of his top lieutenants have recently left Iraq for Afghanistan, according to its leaders and Iraqi intelligence officials, a possible further sign of what Iraqi and U.S. officials call growing disarray and weakness in the organization.
U.S. officials say that there are indications that al-Qaida is diverting new recruits from going to Iraq, where its fighters have suffered dramatic setbacks, to Afghanistan and Pakistan, where they appear to be making gains.
Brig. Gen. Brian Keller, the senior intelligence officer for Gen. David Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq, said in an e-mail that he believes al-Qaida is reassessing the continued viability of its fight in Iraq. But he said the reliability of the indications that recruits have been diverted has "not yet been determined."
Al-Qaida in Iraq has long been one of the most ruthless and dangerous organizations in the country. But even some of its leaders acknowledge that it has been seriously weakened over the past year.
Comments
salad 9 years, 9 months ago
Yes, it IS bad right now, and the sooner we get out of Iraq, where the terrorists aren't, and focus on Afganistan, where the terrorists are, then the better we'll be. On the other hand, just think how much better off we'd be if we never pulled out of Vietnam, Somalia, Lebanon, Grenada, etc. and instead had a permanent occupation force in place like we do in Korea. I'm sure the military would LOVE being stretched like that...and people all around the world would just ADORE us!!!Bond(age)men and mad(eich)man...you guys are just waiting for good ole' Rush to give the word that it's OK, and you'll be roundin' up "undesireables" and lockin' em up in detention camps for their own good, won't cha?Before you know it, you're goose-steppin' toward Poland.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 9 years, 9 months ago
If we're really going to be the emperors of the world, we'll need a standing army of about 30 million.
bondmen 9 years, 9 months ago
The US must hurry up and retreat before Al-Qaida falls entirely say the extremist, leftist Democrats! From a formerly proud past the Democrats now specialize in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Unfortunately the Republicans are only marginally better, which is not saying much.
Richard Heckler 9 years, 9 months ago
More Iraq nonsense propaganda coming from the White House news censoring bureau. Real news headlines: US Troops Kill 3 More Iraqi Civilians Bush Cuts Iraq Tours, No Deal Yet on Force Pact Iraqi Parliament Deadlocks Over Kirkuk US Auditor Says Funding for Iraqi Rebuilding Should Cease Thursday: 2 US Soldiers, 20 Iraqis Killed; 21 Iraqis WoundedUS Judge: Bush Aides Can Be Subpoenaed House Panel Votes to Cite Rove for ContemptStrike on Iran Still Possible, US Tells Israel Air Force Think Tank Advises Against Iran Attack US Reaffirms Saturday Deadline on Iran, Warns of 'Consequences' Obama Gets the Feeling Israel May Attack Iran if Sanctions FailIsraeli Prime Minister Olmert to Resign in Sept. ( one less maniac like Bush) Poll Shows Netanyahu( the former maniac) as Israelis' Preferred Choice for Next PM Middle East Peace Process in Turmoil as Olmert Announces ExitNATO Blames Pakistan Peace Talks for Afghan Unrest CIA Confronts Pakistan Over Spies' Terror Links NW Pakistan Clashes Intensify; Taliban Says Peace Deals at Risk
Richard Heckler 9 years, 9 months ago
Promoting Incompetence in Iraqhttp://www.inthesetimes.com/article/3800/promoting_incompetence_in_iraq/
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