Despite Best Efforts...

"Al Qaeda strongest since September 11, 2001"

That really kind of sums up what has happened so far in the War On Terror, doesn't it?

Despite a campaign of military action and counterterrorism operations, al Qaeda has regained its strength and found safe haven in the tribal areas of Pakistan, the report says, according to counterterrorism officials familiar with the report.

Hmm... Pakistan? Is that anyplace close to Iraq, where all our soldiers are?

The five-page intelligence analysis remains classified and was prepared for senior U.S. policymakers. It was not issued in response to a specific threat.

Unless your talking about the threat that is related to a certain person's approval numbers.

Two intelligence officials said the report's finding are similar to what is expected to be in the National Intelligence Estimate anticipated to be released later this summer. The NIE is the intelligence community's collective analysis of pressing national security issues.

What? Aren't things supposed to improve "later this summer"? Oh well.

The White House's view is that "over the past six years, we have prevented attacks from al Qaeda by taking the fight to them," a senior administration official said. "But they are an enemy that adapts."

Exactly. They adapt by sitting very still and waiting for America to go start a war in Iraq.

This new report backs up warnings by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and other officials that al Qaeda remains a serious threat and that the United States is vulnerable despite the numerous security changes made since September 11, 2001.

Indeed. In fact, Al Qaeda is so serious a threat, that we have almost 20,000 soldiers trying to find them in Afghanistan... which is all we could spare from the 150,000 or so trying to stop some war in Iraq. (Inconvenient how that civil war in Iraq started up right when we were busy fighting terrorism, isn't it? That was a bit of bad luck.)

Chertoff said Wednesday, however, that there is no "specific, credible information" that terrorist attacks on the United States are imminent.

No... They just are gaining strength, sneaking up on you, looking through your window... BOO!!! (Did I scare ya? I bet I did.)

In a House Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday, several senior intelligence officials talked about how the terrorist group has found refuge in parts of Pakistan.

Kind of like the Canada of central Asia... a nice, friendly place and close ally of America where people can go to hide from the American Army.

"We actually see the al Qaeda central being resurgent in their role in planning operations," John Kringen, head of the CIA's intelligence directorate, testified at the hearing Wednesday. "They seem to be fairly well settled into the safe haven in the ungoverned spaces of Pakistan there. We see more training. We see more money. We see more communications."

We can see it... but, but... we can't touch it!!

Thomas Fingar, deputy director of national intelligence, told lawmakers that al Qaeda leaders hiding in Pakistan are able to maintain relationships "with affiliates throughout the Middle East, North and East Africa and Europe."

Kind of hard to get that to jive with the "Al-Qaeda On The Run" headlines from last year, isn't it? Oh well. Maybe a troop surge will fix all that?

In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said it was no surprise al Qaeda has been able to reorganize and rebuild "given President Bush's stubborn dedication to keeping our overextended military mired in an Iraqi civil war."

I am Harry Reid's brain. Speak Harry, and let the people hear.

"It is a travesty that Osama bin Laden remains at large nearly six years after the 9/11 attacks and appears to have found new sanctuary to operate freely in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border regions," Reid said. "The Bush administration and most congressional Republicans would rather stubbornly stick with a flawed strategy and fight a war that senior military leaders say cannot be won militarily, than adapt to fighting the enemy who attacked us six years ago."

The choir hears you Preacher Harry. Amen and hosanna.

In recent weeks, counterterrorism authorities have expressed concern about the possibility of another attack on U.S. soil, saying several factors, such as the thwarted terror plots in Britain, have them on edge.

Yes... Keep an eye on your cardiologist folks. He may try to blow out the front windows of Cincinnati Airport.

The FBI has created a small group of agents and analysts to examine new threats and leads over the summer, a bureau official told CNN. The group, which was created several weeks ago, is supplementing what agents and others are also doing in field offices across the country and is an example of how the government is trying to make sure no credible lead is missed, the official said.

Okay... we have been told that we are facing "the greatest threat ever" to the American way of life, and now we find out that despite our best efforts to win this battle for our very survival, the enemy instead is growing ever-stronger, and the only response that this article claims the government is taking is that "The FBI has created a small group of agents and analysts to examine new threats and leads"? I've got your BOO!! for ya right there.

It's your government people. I just comment on it.