Negroponte Casts Resurgence Of Al Qaeda In ‘Afghanistan And Other Areas’ As ‘Good News’

Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported that some military generals are advocating a “declaration of victory” over al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), claiming that the U.S. has dealt “perhaps irreversible blows” to the group.

Interviewed on the Charlie Rose Show, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte agreed with the Post’s reporting, claiming that “al Qaeda is getting discouraged in Iraq.” While he refrained from declaring “victory” over AQI, he claimed AQI is now shifting their efforts towards Afghanistan due to the Iraq war.

When pressed by Rose on whether this growth of al Qaeda in South Asia is a positive development, Negroponte simply said that it’s “good news” that they are no longer as strong in Iraq:

NEGROPONTE: It’s getting better. It’s definitely getting better. And I’ve heard some people suggest, go so far as to suggest, that al Qaeda is getting discouraged in Iraq and is thinking more of concentrating their efforts on Afghanistan and other areas.

ROSE: That good news or bad?

NEGROPONTE: Well, I think it’s at least good news that their wings have clipped somewhat in Iraq.

Watch it:

That AQI is now refocusing its efforts from Iraq to “Afghanistan and other areas” is a troubling development. U.S. officials have warned time and time again that al Qaeda is resurging in South Asia due to the war in Iraq. “Primary concern is al Qaeda in South Asia, organizing its own plots against the United States,” said National Intelligence Estimate author Edward Gistaro in July.

Today, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto attributed the attempted attacks on her that killed nearly 150 civilians to al Qaeda.

Negroponte’s assertions imply that al Qaeda is not being “crippled” in Iraq but is merely being displaced. Ironically, while the war in Iraq introduced al Qaeda elements to Iraq, the war may now be directly increasing the threat that originated in Afghanistan.