Al Qaeda Isn't Dead Or Dying But On The Rise (Commentary)

Al Qaeda Is Making A Comeback -- Jack Keane, Wall Street Journal

Across the Middle East and South Asia, the group isn't dead or dying but on the rise.

With Afghanistan the forgotten war this election season, many Americans might be wondering why we have 68,000 U.S. troops there at all. Sure, the Obama administration says they'll be out "on schedule" in 2014, but can't the U.S. immediately pull back and protect its interests with drones and special-operations forces alone?

To better understand the battle in Afghanistan, look to Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sinai, Syria or Iraq—all places where al Qaeda and associated groups are a growing presence. (Al Qaeda in Iraq has doubled in size in the year since U.S. troops left the country.) These terrorists have already killed Americans, and they have planned and executed several attacks on the U.S. homeland that have failed only thanks to technical problems or outstanding police work.

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My Comment: When it comes to Al Qaeda, the sad fact is that they have always enjoyed the support and sympathy of millions of Muslims around the world who are in agreement with their radical interpretation of Islam. And as long as this support holds and the more moderate supporters of Islam remain quiet, Al Qaeda will continue to be around for a very very long time.