Threat of terrorism growing - US Intelligence Report

[Greymatters]

Its becoming harder and harder to tell if we are winning or not. 

This article from the Victoria Times-Colonist on 18 July (Threat of Terrorism Growing US Intelligence Report Warns) says that since 2002 the US led effort has slowed the growth of AQ but adds that the organization has regenerated its attack capability from its new base of operations in northwestern Pakistan (note - probably refering to the provinces of north and south Waziristan).  The report also states that US pressure on Iran may provoke Tehran-funded Hezbollah to strike inside the USA from a base in Lebanon.  The report is based on analysis of 16 US intwelligence agencies (but does not state who did the analysis).

Would like to provide full article but the VTC has already pulled it and although some US stories are similiar the text is different to reflect a local focus.  This is the best I got: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=aa12da4d-cf60-4b50-ba03-8a5c287cd611



tells of

 

[The Bread Guy]

Sounds like this piece is referring to the USA National Intelligence Estimate (.pdf) released 17 Jul 07:

"Key Judgements:

We judge the US Homeland will face a persistent and evolving terrorist threat over the next
three years. The main threat comes from Islamic terrorist groups and cells, especially al-
Qa’ida, driven by their undiminished intent to attack the Homeland and a continued effort by
these terrorist groups to adapt and improve their capabilities.
We assess that greatly increased worldwide counterterrorism efforts over the past five years
have constrained the ability of al-Qa’ida to attack the US Homeland again and have led
terrorist groups to perceive the Homeland as a harder target to strike than on 9/11. These
measures have helped disrupt known plots against the United States since 9/11.
• We are concerned, however, that this level of international cooperation may wane as
9/11 becomes a more distant memory and perceptions of the threat diverge.

Al-Qa’ida is and will remain the most serious terrorist threat to the Homeland, as its central
leadership continues to plan high-impact plots, while pushing others in extremist Sunni
communities to mimic its efforts and to supplement its capabilities. We assess the group has
protected or regenerated key elements of its Homeland attack capability, including: a
safehaven in the Pakistan Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), operational
lieutenants, and its top leadership. Although we have discovered only a handful of
individuals in the United States with ties to al-Qa’ida senior leadership since 9/11, we judge
that al-Qa’ida will intensify its efforts to put operatives here.

• As a result, we judge that the United States currently is in a heightened threat
environment.

(....)

• We assess that al-Qa’ida will continue to try to acquire and employ chemical,
biological, radiological, or nuclear material in attacks and would not hesitate to use
them if it develops what it deems is sufficient capability.

(....)

• The ability to detect broader and more diverse terrorist plotting in this environment
will challenge current US defensive efforts and the tools we use to detect and disrupt
plots. It will also require greater understanding of how suspect activities at the local
level relate to strategic threat information and how best to identify indicators of
terrorist activity in the midst of legitimate interactions."

Director of National Intelligence's speech at a conference that day

White House Fact Sheets and Links

White House Briefing next day

Some MSM coverage:
Christian Science Monitor:  Overview

New York Times:  PAK "hands-off" approach = Ability for AQ to Regroup in PAK Hinterland

Associated Press:  PAK Not Happy with Assessment that AQ is Sheltering in PAK

Agence France Presse:  Anti-war critics upset at AQ comeback

Hope this is what you're looking for....

 

[Greymatters]

Many thanks, now I can read the full version!