[Non-Sequitur]

Ask the Iraqis if the Americans and they have defeated Al Qaeda and the vast majority will tell you yes. Ask the Afghani if the Americans and they have defeated the Taliban and the vast majority will say yes.

Not the ones who are continuing to blow people up in both places on a daily basis.

[jveritas]

There is much less violence than before. As I said before from all practical military perspectives both Al Qaeda and Taliban are utterly defeated.