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State Department says al-Qaeda is on the ropes, nearly eight years after Obama said it was on the ropes

Nov 19, 2020 1:00 pm By Robert Spencer 14 Comments

In January 2013, Barack Obama said: “We achieved our central goal — or have come very close to achieving our central goal, which is to de-capacitate al-Qaeda, to dismantle them, to make sure that they can’t attack us again.” He said this, by the way, in the context of the war in Afghanistan, which so very many politicians want us to continue.

In any case, these wildly wrong analyses, nearly eight years apart, demonstrate the persistent cluelessness and willful ignorance of the counterterrorism establishment.

“Al-Qaida ‘On the Ropes’ After 2 Decades of War,” by Jeff Seldin, VOA, November 17, 2020:

WASHINGTON – Key U.S. officials are not backing down from their assessment that core al-Qaida, while still a threat, is in decline, brushing aside intelligence suggesting the terror organization remains entrenched in Afghanistan and may be growing stronger.

For months, tensions have been growing between the United States and its allies over the status of al-Qaida, with some counterterrorism officials arguing Washington is in danger of underestimating the threat posed by the terror group.

But the State Department’s top counterterrorism official on Tuesday said al-Qaida has been significantly degraded as a result of U.S. efforts.

“I think al-Qaida’s on the ropes, no doubt,” Counterterrorism Coordinator Ambassador Nathan Sales told the virtual Global Security Forum in a pre-recorded interview.

“We have decimated their senior leadership cadre over the past 20 years leaving core al-Qaida leadership really a remnant of its former self,” he said.

Sales’ comments come just a day after U.S. national security adviser Robert O’Brien similarly downplayed al-Qaida core’s capacity to do harm.

“Al-Qaida’s been incapable of directing a complex, large-scale attack against the U.S. because of the pressure that we’ve kept on them,” he said. “And there’s more to come.” …

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Filed Under: Al-Qaeda, Featured, willful ignorance Tagged With: Nathan Sales, Robert O'Brien, State Department


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Comments

  1. wth009 says

    Nov 19, 2020 at 1:21 pm

    I think it’s because Al Qaeda and the rest of their like minded are here in the US and other western nations trying to conquer us!

    Reply
  2. revereridesagain says

    Nov 19, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    That’s nice. Come back and talk to me when the rest of militant Islam is also “on the ropes” and not busily infiltrating the entire structure of our society.

    Reply
  3. Infidel says

    Nov 19, 2020 at 2:35 pm

    So where’s Ayman al Zawahiri?

    Reply
    • gravenimage says

      Nov 19, 2020 at 8:47 pm

      Infidel, he *may* be dead:

      https://www.lawfareblog.com/death-ayman-al-zawahri-and-future-al-qaida

      But these Jihad thugs have tended to have nine lives, so maybe not…

      Reply
      • Infidel says

        Nov 20, 2020 at 9:35 pm

        See below. Two WION reports suggesting that he is

        Reply
  4. somehistory says

    Nov 19, 2020 at 5:30 pm

    He “think(s)” and “no doubt.” No doubt he thinks it, but is it so?

    Many of us know how wrestling matches go. On the ropes…what about the big guy who jumps up on the top of the ring, stands briefly “on the ropes,” and then jumps off to land on the other big guy on the mat?

    I realize most, if not all, wrestling is fake stuff, but so is much of the “fight” that has been fought against al-queda (which word actually means “the core,” as in the core of islam). So , “core al queda” is “core-the core” of islam.

    How many times was ole’ bin laden “in the sights, or cross-hairs” and allowed to slip away back to his cave or to his safe house in pakistan?

    Reply
  5. Keith O says

    Nov 19, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    Idiots! One of the first lessons we were given when being taught tactics on a battlefield is, “respect your enemy, NEVER underestimate him”.
    This is one of the reasons the US will be locked into endless wars. The weapons industry will never let it stop and idiots like this are their Muppets. The will say whatever the defence industry wants so long as the fist up their arse has money in it.

    Reply
    • LR says

      Nov 20, 2020 at 1:06 am

      Yeah. I was thinkin’ gee, I wish I would get paid these beauraucrats’ salary while pushin’, papers around on a desk, and having some yummy, high powered lunches with other knuckleheads.

      Not a good sign the Gubmn’t employs more people than our manufacturing base. Not a good direction at all.

      Reply
  6. gravenimage says

    Nov 19, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    State Department says al-Qaeda is on the ropes, nearly eight years after Obama said it was on the ropes
    …………………

    Yep…

    Fact is there is no shortage of violent, unhinged Mohamemdans.

    Reply
  7. Infidel says

    Nov 20, 2020 at 7:47 pm

    Reply
    • Infidel says

      Nov 20, 2020 at 9:26 pm

      Reply
  8. Inspired Infidel says

    Nov 21, 2020 at 1:19 am

    If the US govt wanted to stop muslim violence it would stop. Citizens have 2 get involved & vote. Biden will be 4 more years of barry. Trump 2024 !

    Reply
    • gravenimage says

      Nov 21, 2020 at 1:22 am

      The idea that even a nation as powerful as the United States can stop Muslim violence all over th world is mistaken.

      Reply
  9. Norman Gardner says

    Nov 21, 2020 at 8:52 pm

    ISIS and Al Qeada are alive and well. Until they are crushed completely they are a threat to every civilized nation.

    Reply

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