al-Qaeda works to plant US operatives
Ap, Washington
al-Qaeda is stepping up its efforts to sneak terror operatives into the United States and has acquired most of the capabilities it needs to strike here, according to a new US intelligence assessment, The Associated Press has learned. The draft National Intelligence Estimate is expected to paint an ever-more-worrisome portrait of al-Qaeda's ability to use its base along the Pakistan-Afghan border to launch and inspire attacks against the United States over the next several years. Yet, the government's top analysts concluded that US soil has become a harder target for the extremist network, thanks to worldwide counterterror efforts since the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. Among the key findings of the classified estimate, which is still in draft form and must be approved by all 16 US spy agencies: The US will face "a persistent and evolving terrorist threat" within its borders over the next three years. The main danger comes from Islamic terrorist groups, especially al-Qaeda, and is "driven by the undiminished intent to attack the homeland and a continued effort by terrorist groups to adapt and improve their capabilities." al-Qaeda is probably still pursuing chemical, biological or nuclear weapons and would use them if its operatives developed sufficient capability.
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