One could, however, ask why this is the case.

Analysts and intelligence experts say the speed and frequency with which Ayman al-Zawahri has been issuing statements recently does not reflect the actions of a man cowering in a remote cave, cut off from the outside world and unable to direct terror operations.

If anything, the video and audio tapes offer chilling evidence that al-Qaida's leaders are in greater command than previously feared.

"The notion of them hiding in a deep, dark primitive cave isolated from electricity and all communication with the outside is strongly misguided," said Ben Venzke of the IntelCenter, a U.S.-based intelligence group that monitors terrorism messages. "The speed which they have demonstrated (getting messages out) shows that they are far from cut off."

Personally, I'd argue that the reason that al-Qaeda leaders are more confident is the rise of world and national leaders less interested in fighting terrorism than in engaging with terrorists. After all, given the departure of tony Blair from Downing Street and the rise of the cut-and-run Democrats, prospects of an eventual al-Qaeda victory are looking brighter. Why not go on the offensive, in the hopes of forcing a US and British surrender much more quickly?

Posted by: Greg at 01:26 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 214 words, total size 1 kb.