US has captured key operatives, yet the war in Iraq may spawn a new army of recruits. As the US has focused on the war in Iraq, Al Qaeda may have been lying low – watching and waiting for the right opportunity to strike. To be sure, the US has accumulated a string of successes in combating Osama bin Laden’s umbrella terrorism group. At least five top-tier Al Qaeda operatives, who may provide information that helps authorities head off future attacks, have been apprehended since March 2001. Overall, the news on terrorism has been good. Terrorist attacks worldwide dropped by 30 percent from 2001 to 2002, according to a new State Department report. But some intelligence sources and experts outside government believe that Al Qaeda has been quiet by choice, not because its plans have been disrupted. There is also evidence that Al Qaeda’s remaining leadership believes the war in Iraq will produce a new stream of recruits disenchanted with American actions, perhaps allowing Al Qaeda to create a new front of international jihad. Full Story
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