Posted on 11/30/2004 1:01:46 AM PST by JohnHuang2
The United States is losing the war on terrorism and faces an "inevitable" al-Qaida attack with weapons of mass destruction that will be worse than 9-11, according to a counter-terror expert.
"All of the warnings we have today indicate that a major strike – something more horrible than anything we've seen before – is all but inevitable," said Yossef Bodansky, former director of the U.S. Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, in an interview yesterday with the Jerusalem Post.
Bodansky said "the primary option" for the next al-Qaida attack on American soil would be to employ weapons of mass destruction.
"I do not have a crystal ball, but this is what all the available evidence tells us; e will have a bang," Bodansky told the Post, adding al-Qaida is "tying up the knots" for an attack.
Bodansky, author of "Bin Laden: The Man Who Declared War on America," and "The Secret History of the Iraq War," said the jihadist movement is gaining strength as Osama bin Laden's call to arms draws an increasing number of recruits throughout the Muslim world.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Bodansky said, the number of people trained and willing to die has more than doubled to an estimated 500,000 to 750,000. Intelligences estimates say another 10 million are willing toactively support them while another 50 million would provide financial support.
Bodansky was in Israel for the second annual Jerusalem Summit, an international gathering of conservative thinkers, the Post said.
Al-Qaida has not carried out a second major attack, Bodansky explained, because the first one sufficiently sent the message to the Islamic world that the U.S. could be penetrated, and a second attack necessarily would have to be more grandiose.
Now, however, the re-election of President Bush has set the stage for a massive attack with non-conventional weapons, Bodansky believes.
There has been a debate between bin Laden allies and some Islamic leaders over the propriety of such a large-scale attack on U.S. citizens, he told the Jerusalem paper. But, according to bin Laden's mindset, that has been resolved by the American electorate backing Bush and thus "choosing" to be enemies of Islam.
Though some debate and doubt may linger, the planning for an attack is finished, Bodansky believes.
"They got the kosher stamp from the Islamic world to use nuclear weapons," he said.
Bin Laden's theme has shifted since 9-11, Bodanksy said. Previously, perpetual confrontation and jihad against the U.S. was seen as the only way to protect Islam. Now, the emphasis is on punishing American society.
"Just as the West was challenging the quintessence of Islam by means of the globalization era, there was a parallel need by Islamic extremists to strike at – and hurt – the core of American society, this time with weapons of mass destruction," Bodansky said.
I don't know about this. The time to launch a WMD attack would have been 3 years ago, not today. I'd say the chances for a successful WMD attack on US soil by Islamic terrorists fared a higher probability pre-9/11. And with each day that passes by (assuming we keep up our military, economic, and diplomatic pressure), the chances grow slimmer still.
If something like this did happen, I wonder what would be the Military response of the United States?
What planet is this person on anyway and how much is he making per speaking engagement to say these things?
Anyone with the ability to read can see that the terror network is crumbling, with Osama sending a TAPE to bomb the US elections, and pleading for a truce in that tape.
Major portions of the hardline fighters are being lured into Iraq and killed by the thousands. There are fewer and fewer who want to don the suicide vests.
Our intelegence is getting better and better, and the fact that two or three cowards send legions of followers out to die while they hide in spider holes is not lost on the arab street.
This is defeatist scare tactics just to garner a speaking fee.
My thoughts exactly.
If Islamic countries want to engage in nuclear war, I believe the US will have the bases covered. We can turn the middle east into a smoldering nuclear meltdown unfit to live in for the next 50,000 or so years. Leaders in these countries need to know that Americans don't accept threats well and we react particularlly badly to attacks on our people.
"They got the kosher stamp from the Islamic world"
Now there's a mixed metaphore.....
Couldn't agree with you more, though, in fairness, Yossef Bodansky, through books, has extensively documented the links between Saddam and al-Qaeda. Small wonder Chris Matthews no longer invites him on Hardball.
I thought that terrorists would want to do something before the election, ala Spain. The fact that they could not do anything makes me wonder if they are capable. Heres to bringing bin Laden and his minions to justice.
The terrorists have nothing to lose except their cause. I think that they are getting a bit desperate. Anything can and generally will happen.
I dont know what scale is he refering too, but I doubt it will be anything like what he is thinking, short of a nuke. A nuke would be bad.
I think it will be something along the lines of that Sarin attack in Tokyo a few years ago.
Gee, this is uplifting.
Is this guy into watching people panic or is he trying to undermine confidence in the Bush Administration?
The "neutron solution" would be in order...say good bye to the inhabitants of Islamabad, Rihyad, Tehran etc...remember "you are either with us or against us..."
Inevitable? Don't think so. Probable? Yes.
I think we are not taking the threat of terrorism as serious as we should. We should be taking out N. Korea, Iran, Syria, and any other state that supports or harbors terrorism TODAY. There is no need to waste time with diplomacy in this situation.
FDR did not waste time with diplomacy with Japan and Germany after Pearl Harbor. Not only did he declare war with Japan, but declared war with Germany at the same time.
The hell with France, Germany, Canada, and the United (bribed) Nations. Let's go and kick a$s!!
Why haven't we bombed Al-Jeezera yet? If this were WW2, we would have bombed the Al Jeezera propaganda machine oin Sept. 12.
"Not only did he declare war with Japan, but declared war with Germany at the same time."
Did he? I thought Hitler declared war on the US after Pearl harbour. Can anyone clarify?
I would submit since 9/11 that there are many who have had time to ponder what a response to such an attack would consist of, and found that they were not opposed to even the worst they could possibly imagine.
Had the attack happened sooner, such resolve would not have been present.
OMGWTFBBQ!!! The sky is falling! :P
Seriesly, you'd think they'd have done something by now if they could.
Punish American society???..who the hell are you???If you want to see nukes going off in major "Islamic Holy Sites"..then so be it....
"They got the kosher stamp from the Islamic world"
Now there's a mixed metaphore.....
"They got the Hallal stamp from the Islamic world"
Now that's more appropriate.
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