U.S. sees Iraq link in increased Qaeda threat

Reuters ^ | Tue Jul 17, 2007 | David Morgan

[indcons]

The United States faces an increased threat of attack from al Qaeda, which will likely try to use battle-hardened associates in Iraq to strike inside the United States, an intelligence report warned on Tuesday.

Released as the White House confronts mounting pressure in Congress to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq, the document marked the first time that the 16-agency U.S. intelligence community has warned publicly that the Iraq war poses a near-term threat to the United States.

Democrats seized on the findings to say the administration has mishandled national security and the Iraq war, while U.S. President George W. Bush said U.S. pressure on al Qaeda had kept it from getting even stronger.

The two-page unclassified report was part of a classified national intelligence estimate delivered to Bush and Congress. It said al Qaeda's affiliation with al Qaeda in Iraq is helping Osama bin Laden's militant network recruit operatives.

"We assess that al Qaeda will probably seek to leverage the contacts and capabilities of al Qaeda in Iraq, its most visible and capable affiliate," it stated.

[oldtimer]

The left wing media is already gearing up to blame any attacks in the US on Bush, because of the war in Iraq against the terrorists.

[gcruse]

But, but we’re supposed to be FIGHTING them over there, not TRAINING them over there to fight over here. Looks like it new spin is in the wind.

[Rutles4Ever]

Just a question.

#3...have you factored in, letting the military do what they do best and use all their skills without “silly” rules of engagement which do not allow the use of all force possible?

Just a question, an outcome, I can not see that you have considered.

Unfortunately, any change to the R.O.E. appears to be D.O.A. I'm giving my points based on the actual situation at hand, which does not portend a change in ROE. As I stated, there is a ball and chain wrapped around the military. We can't defeat this insurgency unless it's taken off. With the current ROE, we need many more troops on the ground to police the country.

[PEACE ENFORCER]

Historically speaking......When two Bombs were dropped on Japan did this event create more kamikaze Pilots?

[death2tyrants]

“We don’t have the personnel to sustain an operation like this. “

Then why is the surge working?

[death2tyrants]

“With the current ROE, we need many more troops on the ground to police the country.”

Elaboration please.

[3D-JOY]

Thanks for the reply...I see your point and wonder if there can be no changes made.

Many who are against the war are really against the current methods not the principle of fighting to “win”.

The next few replies to you seem to say others here on FR have the same questions and concerns.

Thanks for any understanding you can contribute......?

[American Infidel]

When two Bombs were dropped on Japan did this event create more kamikaze Pilots?

Excellent point. Crush the enemy's will to fight with an extreme show of force and peace will follow.

[Rutles4Ever]

Really, is it? I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Gen. Petraeus says in September, but if it IS working, why aren’t they shouting it from the rooftops? The Pres. has a bully pulpit. If it’s working, he needs to tell us in neon lights. Otherwise, it appears he’s just biding time.

I get the impression that there’s a lot of uncertainty, and that doesn’t sound to me like any clear success (i.e., turning the tide).

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

“Spare our soldiers this debacle and let the rest of the world deal with the consequence of their own cowardice.”

The rest of the world is not going to deal with the consquences of their own cowardice. Don’t you get that? They never have and they never will. Britain is the only country in that area of the world that will do anything, and they can not respond the way we can.

Add to that, after we leave, Iraq will be taken over either by Al Quaeda or Iran and either way, Al Quaeda will come after us, the United States, not the EU.