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Al-Qaeda Sets Sights on Pakistan

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 11, 2009 7:39 AM CDT

(Newser) – Al-Qaeda has set its sights on the increasingly unstable Pakistan, American and Pakistani intelligence officials tell the New York Times. “They smell blood, and they are intoxicated by the idea of a jihadist takeover in Pakistan,” said a former CIA analyst. The group no longer operates in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus told Congress yesterday, instead using Pakistan as its nerve center.

Taliban gains in Swat and Buner have already brought al-Qaeda closer to Islamabad and helped its recruiting efforts. Though it’s unlikely militants could defeat Pakistan’s powerful military, intelligence officials fear they could create “mini-Afghanistans” throughout the nation. But the local focus may reflect desperation as much as opportunism; American officials say CIA airstrikes have diminished al-Qaeda’s ability to hit its traditional Western targets.

A crowd of men line up to register at a refugee camp in Mardan, northwest Pakistan, Monday, May 11, 2009.
A crowd of men line up to register at a refugee camp in Mardan, northwest Pakistan, Monday, May 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Children push and shove in a scramble to get food at a refugee camp in Mardan, in northwest Pakistan, Monday, May 11, 2009.
Children push and shove in a scramble to get food at a refugee camp in Mardan, in northwest Pakistan, Monday, May 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
Troops of Pakistan's paramilitary force patrol after a suicide attack on a checkpoint in Pakistani tribal area of Darra Adam Khel, near Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, May 11, 2009.
Troops of Pakistan's paramilitary force patrol after a suicide attack on a checkpoint in Pakistani tribal area of Darra Adam Khel, near Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, May 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Iqbal)
Local residents flee from Mingora, the main town of Pakistan troubled Swat Valley, Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Local residents flee from Mingora, the main town of Pakistan troubled Swat Valley, Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Naveed Ali)
Pakistani police officer stand guard at a post in Ambyla, an area of Pakistan's troubled Buner district, Sunday, May 9, 2009.
Pakistani police officer stand guard at a post in Ambyla, an area of Pakistan's troubled Buner district, Sunday, May 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
justme
May 12, 2009 12:38 PM CDT
Unbelievably naive. One more time the US is to blame for every sad thing in the world. Islam, and every other belief system since the beginning of time has had their fringe groups who justify killing by pointing to "injustice". Hitler and every tyrant before and since has used the same phrases about how "They" have wronged "US". Understanding, negotiation and appeasement didn't stop Hitler and it won't stop Al Quaida.
Robert_Dada
May 11, 2009 10:01 AM CDT
Couldn't have said it better.
Observer
May 11, 2009 1:03 AM CDT
For every Jihadist we kill with million dollar Hellfire missiles, we create 20 more. Every traumatized little boy will seek to avenge his father or brother's death. There is no end in the spiral of hatred unless we improve these people lives or simply leave them alone. Haven't we identified and killed most of the known major bad guys by now? With all the money, destruction and special forces assassins - one would hope so. Or could it be that we need to keep a few troublemakers alive to justify the obscene amounts of money the US spends to maintain the bloated DOD and its world empire. And where do the Talibam get their weapons anyway? I don't believe they buy them on Ebay.

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