Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Al-Qaeda returns. The new face of terror
The Economist ^ | Sept 28, 2013 | The Economist Staff

Posted on 09/29/2013 7:01:02 AM PDT by Innovative

The West thought it was winning the battle against jihadist terrorism. It should think again.

A FEW months ago Barack Obama declared that al-Qaeda was “on the path to defeat”. Its surviving members, he said, were more concerned for their own safety than with plotting attacks on the West.

Yet the inconvenient truth is that, in the past 18 months, despite the relentless pummelling it has received and the defeats it has suffered, al-Qaeda and its jihadist allies have staged an extraordinary comeback. The terrorist network now holds sway over more territory and is recruiting more fighters than at any time in its 25-year history (see article). Mr Obama must reconsider.

...Meanwhile al-Qaeda’s core, anticipating the withdrawal of Western troops from Afghanistan after 2014, is already moving back into the country’s wild east.

How much should Western complacency be blamed for this stunning revival? Quite a bit. Mr Obama was too eager to cut and run from Iraq. He is at risk of repeating the mistake in Afghanistan. ...

(Excerpt) Read more at economist.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; islamicimperialism; missionaccomplished; obama; obamaforeignpolicy; obamalegacy; obamaswars; spikethefootball; terrorattacks; terrorism; threatmatrix; waronterror; wot
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last
To: Iron Munro

I wonder - if conservative patriots re-name themselves “Al-Qaeda”, will Obama have the DHS troops stand down, and make sure lots of modern weaponry is funneled to us?


21 posted on 09/29/2013 7:43:02 AM PDT by dagogo redux (A whiff of primitive spirits in the air, harbingers of an impending descent into the feral.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

Terror trivia: Al Qaeda’s new tactic to spare Muslims in attacks

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/29/terror-trivia-al-qaeda-new-tactice-to-spare-muslims-in-attacks/

... the assailants began a high-stakes game of 20 Questions to separate Muslims from those they consider infidels.

In an email exchange this week with The Associated Press, it made its intentions clear: “The Mujahideen carried out a meticulous vetting process at the mall and have taken every possible precaution to separate the Muslims from the Kuffar before carrying out their attack.” However, even at Westgate, al-Shabab still killed Muslims, who were among the more than 60 civilians gunned down inside.


22 posted on 09/29/2013 8:04:08 AM PDT by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MestaMachine
obama gave the world smoke and mirrors in place of accomplishment because he never intended to 'decimate' al qaeda from the jump.

Odinga did worse than that. He declared a hudna on behalf of his Islamic boyfriends.

23 posted on 09/29/2013 8:05:22 AM PDT by Old Sarge (Opinions are like orgasms: only mine count, and I couldn't care less if you have one...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: dagogo redux

You might have something there...

Obama negotiates with Iran run by Islamic hardliner and proven sponsor of terrorism, but refuses to negotiate with Republicans.


24 posted on 09/29/2013 8:07:35 AM PDT by Innovative ("Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -- Vince Lombardi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Innovative
Al Qaeda was used by the US/NATO to attack the Russians in the 80's, the Serbian's in the 90's, Libya in 2011, and Syria today.

Al Qaeda is and has always been the sword of the New World Order.

25 posted on 09/29/2013 8:11:49 AM PDT by Count of Monte Fisto (The foundation of modern society is the denial of reality.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

Almost the moment after this PROPHETIC and historical ADDRESS TO CONGRESS on 9/20/2001......the drumbeat began, not against the radicals but against our president, George W. Bush. The hatred was rancid from the left and they did not stop until he was destroyed. The last paragraph is chilling and a must read....IT APPEARS WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY!

“They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of the Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast regions of Asia and Africa.

These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us, because we stand in their way.

We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions — by abandoning every value except the will to power — they follow in the path of fascism, and Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way, to where it ends: in history’s unmarked grave of discarded lies.

Americans are asking: How will we fight and win this war? We will direct every resource at our command — every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war — to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network.

This war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat.

Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.”


26 posted on 09/29/2013 8:46:48 AM PDT by Toespi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

Al-Quaeda is stronger than ever.

Obama lied, innocents died!


27 posted on 09/29/2013 9:03:39 AM PDT by canuck_conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Innovative

Returns hell1 Al Qaeda never left. They just moved into the White House.


28 posted on 09/29/2013 9:31:45 AM PDT by sport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sport

Half the country thought it would be a good idea, less than a decade after 9/11, to elect a man named Barrack Hussein Obama. Now the Muslim Brotherhood, aka Al Qaeda, has unprecedented access to all levels of government.


29 posted on 09/29/2013 10:13:25 AM PDT by Boris99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Boris99
I wasn't in that half, neither was I in 2012. In fact, I pitted my wisdom against the wisdom of a majority of voters both in 2008 and 2012 and was severely chastised by them.

The lesson I learned from that was that me and the majority of voters in this Country have nothing in common. I have no friends that are Liberal. I have no friends that voted for Obama. I have no friends that are parasites or traitors. I have no self hating White friends. Nor do I wish to have any.

30 posted on 09/29/2013 10:22:08 AM PDT by sport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: MestaMachine

They increase in numbers by producing in the bedrooms. The Western world, especially Eurabia and U.S. will be eliminated by promoting abortions in the millions!!!


31 posted on 09/29/2013 11:14:42 AM PDT by danamco (-)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...

Thanks Innovative.
Obama was too eager to cut and run from Iraq. He is at risk of repeating the mistake in Afghanistan.

32 posted on 09/29/2013 2:33:54 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (It's no coincidence that some "conservatives" echo the hard left.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Innovative

Obama is terror, al Qaeda are his allies and he is selling them arms.


33 posted on 09/29/2013 10:36:08 PM PDT by WilliamRobert (Ted Cruz is my senator)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Innovative
To the Economist: NO, al-Qaeda has not returned because it never left. The smart people like Barack Hussein Obama (mmm-mmm-mmm) and the Euroweenies declared victory where none existed. The appeasers of Western Civilization need to get their minds right and do it quickly. Al-Qaeda (and all the other Muslim terrorists) are after only one thing: putting all us nonbelievers under the yoke of Sharia Law. To do this they must kill, convert, or enslave all who oppose them. The Holy Koran commands them to do so.

The problem is the Left has made an unholy alliance with Islam. Both the Left and Islam want to destroy Western Civilization, but the Left thinks it can subvert Islam. Silly fools; if Islam wins the fight, you Lefties will be the first to die or be enslaved or be converted. I know you Lefties scoff at this but you haven't read the Koran. either.

34 posted on 09/30/2013 4:32:09 AM PDT by MasterGunner01
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MestaMachine
al qaeda never left

Amen, Mesta, Amen!

35 posted on 09/30/2013 7:36:33 AM PDT by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson