[alloysteel]

Al-Qaeda is under a little pressure now. Behind already in the first quarter, they have to throw in their reserves, and try to overcome the lead that the US has built up in this game.

But their bench is rather shallow, and made the more so by the recent elimination of one of their staunch team players, who was not merely sidelined, but expelled from the game. And the fan base does not seem to be as motivated, either.

More and more, al-Qaeda is playing defense, and the team that settles into a purely defensive posture is marked for eventual failure. Sure, they may pull off a few impressive, even brilliant, plays, but they have largely lost the initiative. They have made the mistake of making too big a strike early in the game, and essentially they have wasted that volley only to rally the US into a state of readiness they were not prepared to counter.

[Savage Beast]

The leaders of al-Qaida have intelligent if evil minds. Fortunately for the world--and no accident, considering God's love of His world--they are no match for President Bush--or for America. God will destroy these evil creeps just as He has destroyed their countless loathsome predecessors throughout history and pre-history.

[wayoverontheright]

More and more, al-Qaeda is playing defense, and the team that settles into a purely defensive posture is marked for eventual failure. Sure, they may pull off a few impressive, even brilliant, plays, but they have largely lost the initiative.

I am SO in agreement.

This is beginning to look to me like a whole lot of bluster, as they must know these warnings are making their "strike" a lot more difficult, if not less likely. If they are unable to pull off anything, it's time to conclude they either lack the ability or the will, possibly both, as consequences have begun to exceed any possible gains.

If they're smart, and I'm not willing to concede that yet, they will not stick their hand back in this particular hornet's nest.

[GOPJ]

Excellent analysis:

More and more, al-Qaeda is playing defense, and the team that settles into a purely defensive posture is marked for eventual failure. Sure, they may pull off a few impressive, even brilliant, plays, but they have largely lost the initiative. They have made the mistake of making too big a strike early in the game, and essentially they have wasted that volley only to rally the US into a state of readiness they were not prepared to counter.