As al Qaeda Adapts Its Tactics, Threat From Splinter Groups Persists .

The Wall Street Journal ^ | MAY 3, 2011. | MARGARET COKER and KEITH JOHNSON

[Scanian]

Long before Osama bin Laden's death, al Qaeda had adapted itself to survive and operate without him, ensuring the threat his terror network poses will live well beyond his demise.

Bin Laden spent the last decade on the run following the al Qaeda-mounted terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. But his fugitive status didn't render the network impotent. Instead, it forced an evolution: The original group splintered, popping up in new places with new leaders who, in addition to attempting high-profile attacks, encouraged their radicalized followers to strike on their own if the opportunity presented itself.

Strong al Qaeda offshoots exist not just in hot spots such as Yemen, Somalia and Indonesia, but increasingly in more far-flung locations, such as Sweden and Norway. The leaders of these groups consider bin Laden a religious and philosophical guide, but have worked independently from his command for years.

The expansion of al Qaeda affiliates comes against a backdrop of political upheaval in the Middle East that is disrupting counterterrorism cooperation by onetime key U.S. allies such as Egypt and Yemen and giving terrorists potentially more operational breathing space.

"We've struck a substantial blow at part of the [radical Islamic] movement, but this is far, far from over," said James Woolsey, a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

[livius]

Islamic terrorism will continue as long as Islam exists. It’s just part of the package.

[Sacajaweau]

They’re spinning the enhanced interrogations.