SOTU: Al Qaeda, Taliban Are Regrouping In South Asia, Increasing The Terrorist Threat
SOTU: Al Qaeda, Taliban Are Regrouping In South Asia, Increasing The Terrorist Threat
Bush said: “Thanks to the courage of these military and civilian personnel, a nation that was once a safe haven for al Qaida is now a young democracy where boys and girls are going to school, new roads and hospitals are being built, and people are looking to the future with new hope.”
FACT — AL QAEDA POSING ‘FRESH THREATS’ IN PAKISTAN: In Pakistan, a “regenerating al-Qaida is posing fresh threats.” “There is growing recognition that the United States risks further setbacks, if not deepening conflict or even defeat, in Afghanistan, and that success in that country hinges on stopping Pakistan from descending into disorder.” [AP, 1/28/08]
FACT — TALIBAN CONTROLS OVER HALF OF AFGHANISTAN: The conflict in Afghanistan has reached “crisis proportions,” as the Taliban controls 54 percent of the country as of November. “[S]enior White House officials privately express pessimism about Afghanistan.” [Reuters, 11/21/07; Washington Post, 11/25/07]
FACT — COMMANDERS SAY AFGHANISTAN BECOMING MORE UNSTABLE: Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said last month that “total violence was up 27 percent” in Afghanistan. Retired Lt. Gen. David Barno, former U.S. commander in Afghanistan, noted that the enemy “is unquestionably a much stronger force than the enemy we faced in 2004,” and the “number of roadside bombs in Afghanistan climbed from 325 in 2004 to 1,469 last year.” [Reuters, 1/23/08]
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excellent coverage tp!
January 28th, 2008 at 9:40 pm“al Qaida’s top commander in Iraq declared that they will not rest until they have attacked us here in Washington.â€
is this NEWS?
January 28th, 2008 at 10:40 pmI find it quite interesting that the trolls haven’t made any remarks on any of the SOTU threads.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:09 amIt is dispiriting to see how negatively bush’s invasion/occupation of Iraq has bolstered anti-american sentiment in the region, increased (according to his own state dept) the number of terrorists in the region and has stolen much needed resources, including soldiers and civilian aid, from Afghanistan- the country which had afforded Al Qaeda a geographical home. So yes- there is a resurgence of the Taliban and Al Qaeda was given a pass by much of the middle east when bush invaded Iraq.
I’m angry because the country which most supported the branch of the Al Qaeda which attacked us was left to rot by bush. I’m angry, because the political movement which allowed Al Qaeda to plot and then carry out these abominable acts has now regained over half the country. I am angry that our president has, with absolute knowledge of this consistently deteriorating situation stood by and done NOTHING. Why? Because our military and funding resources are stretched to “the breaking point” in Iraq.
You’ve betrayed America, Mr. Bush. You’ve dropped the ball. You’ve let our enemies regroup and grow. These are facts beyond your capability to hide or spin.
January 29th, 2008 at 4:22 pm