Is Al Qaeda Shattered?

With Al Qaeda Shattered, U.S. Counter-Terrorism's Future Unclear -- L.A. Times

Opinions differ over how much threat Al Qaeda's factions pose and how U.S. policy and spending should change.

WASHINGTON — Skilled in tracking foreign terrorists, Jarret Brachman once was a sought-after expert on Al Qaeda, advising several federal agencies and speaking regularly around the country.

Now the former research director of the Combating Terrorism Center, a think tank at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, has turned his focus away from Islamic militants. He spends most of his time consulting with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies about threats from domestic extremists and antigovernment militias.

"I have totally re-branded my career," Brachman said. "I still do the Al Qaeda stuff, but there's no interest, no demand.... We've broken Al Qaeda's back, strategically."

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My Comment: Talk about poor timing to raise this question with the dust still settling at the Boston Marathon bombing .... but it has to be asked. U.S. intelligence budgets consume tens of billions of dollars each year .... and while Al Qaeda is still a threat .... a debate on U.S. policy and spending has to be a priority.