CIA Director: Iraq Not Main Front in "War on Terror"

by: Brandon Friedman

Fri Nov 14, 2008 at 13:07:36 PM EST


Well, I'm glad we finally got this all cleared up:

CIA Director Michael V. Hayden said yesterday that al-Qaeda remains the single greatest threat to the United States but that Iraq is no longer the central front in the broader war on terrorism.

"Today, the flow of money, weapons and foreign fighters into Iraq is greatly diminished and al-Qaeda senior leaders no longer point to it as the central battlefield," Hayden told an audience at the Atlantic Council, a bipartisan group that deals with international affairs.

Let me guess: He's gonna say that the "central front" is now in Pakistan.

But he warned that al-Qaeda remains "a determined, adaptive enemy" that is resilient and operating "from its safe haven in Pakistan's tribal areas."

No one ever could've predicted.  These guys crack me up.
Brandon Friedman :: CIA Director: Iraq Not Main Front in "War on Terror"
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CIA Director: Iraq Not Main Front in "War on Terror" | 8 comments
GWOT & RGWOT (4.00 / 1)
Brandon, this has been well known since at least the term RGWOT was coined by I believe yourself!!

You have been and remain ahead on the power curve.

A Vet's Message To The GOP on Veterans Day -- (4.00 / 2)
Shove It

Which is why I get so disgusted whenever I see all the faux military-loving Republicans turning up on Veterans Day with their flowery pronouncements of how much we Vets mean to them when they prove at every turn that they really don't give a damn about the troops, Veterans or military families.

Of course, Exhibit A is Iraq and the Republican party's steadfast refusal to ever allow our troops to come permanently home to their families and their continued desire to keep them bogged down in a war for nothing. But I mention the G.I. Bill specifically because of the following samples of Republican hypocrisy we see every Veterans Day:

  "On Veterans Day - and every day - we thank the men and women who have fought to keep us safe and free." - Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

   "We must remember the great debt that we owe veterans and members of the armed services who fight to maintain our freedom around the world. Throughout history, our soldiers have risked their lives to defend our freedom, and we must not forget their sacrifices." - Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

  "Veterans Day is our opportunity to honor America's veterans who have courageously served our country. These brave men and women have fought to keep our nation free and secure, and we thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice on our behalf." - Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)

   "So this day, perhaps more than any other day, is a time to honor them. We owe them our respect and profound gratitude." - Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

What's the common denominator in this crew? They all were among 22 Republicans who voted against the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, authored by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) -- a highly-decorated Vietnam Veteran -- and passed with 75 votes on May 22nd of this year.



'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson
As much (0.00 / 0)
as sense as this all seems to make, I still hold reservations to a surge in Afghanistan. Will our strategy revolve around protecting our national security or oil pipelines?
Well, surge or no surge in Afghanistan, (0.00 / 0)
it's still the central front, however you want to deal with it.  Unlike Iraq.
[ Parent ]
Well (0.00 / 0)
I am in agreement that FATA is currently the No #1 front. My main concern is that our handling of this problem will end up being either nonproductive or counterproductive. The 'surge' actually had relatively little to do with our modest successes in Iraq. We have a top of the line military, but the guys in suits aren't inspiring much confidence right now.  
[ Parent ]
We'll See, finally, (0.00 / 0)
A pull down and withdrawal of troops from Both theaters and doing what should have been done long ago, without the invasion of Iraq, a Regional push by us to get them more involved in helping, now in both countries not just Afghanistan.

What will bring this about, Money, there is none and we can't sustain much longer either occupation, and borrowing will completely dry up!

The problem now in seeking regional help, which should have occurred after toppling the Taliban in Afghanistan and adding No Invasion of Iraq, is we Noe have A Much Greater Number of Enemy Types, built on Overwhelming Hatreds in Every Country in the Region and in many other area's of the World!

This isn't a Col War Mentality now, our perpetual war is now 'Criminal Terrorism' and some of those have been rearing their ugly hatreds towards others Right Here, if you hadn't noticed or been to a Palin Rally!!!!!!

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

[ Parent ]
someone needs to fill in McCain (4.00 / 2)
Because he apparently is still fixed on Iraq.  Don't worry John McCain, one of these days you will catch up to what is actually going on.

"Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home."

Marcus Tullius Cicero 106 BC-43 BC

I wouldn't get your hopes up (0.00 / 0)
On McCain actually catching up.  Some level of denial is purposeful.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama
[ Parent ]
CIA Director: Iraq Not Main Front in "War on Terror" | 8 comments
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