June 27, 2008: What shape is al Qaeda in? Both U.S. intelligence officials, and al Qaeda message board traffic seem to agree that the terror group was defeated in Iraq, and is now gathering for a last stand in Pakistan. But there have been no numbers released to back this up. - Al Qaeda representatives and Internet based fans openly discuss the defeat in Iraq, and the much reduced stature of al Qaeda in the Moslem world. The problem was that too many terrorist resources were being poured into Iraq, where the main result was the loss of many terrorist leaders and specialists, and even more innocent Iraqi civilians. That led to a loss of popularity throughout the Moslem world, and even fewer recruits and contributions. The al Qaeda leaders dare not show themselves, and can do little but release audio and video messages pleading for supporters around the world to do something violent for the cause. Anything. Please. |