Progress is being made toward dismantling this loathsome enemy, but the United States cannot take its eyes off the target yet. Key leaders and operatives have been taken off of the battlefield. It has become more difficult for many al Qaeda aspirants to train, recruit, raise funds, and ultimately to attack. The threat of terrorist attacks against the United States has certainly diminished. Constant pressure by the United States and its allies for more than a decade has allowed for some optimism, not a trait commonly associated with intelligence analysts or counterterrorism operators. While claims that al Qaeda is roaring back to life should be met with some skepticism, the organization and its offshoots are still dangerous and continue to pose a residual threat. Have no doubt that the followers of Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen are still targeting the West, and with the package plots and the underwear bomber they have proved their creativity and skill. And al Qaeda in many forms has proven its ability to endure seemingly devastating losses. Whether in Pakistan after evacuating Afghanistan or its current foray into Syria from its base in Iraq, al Qaeda remains a force to be reckoned with.
Al Qaeda's Current Status: Inept, Weakened, But Dangerous - World Report (usnews.com)
