As I insisted in previous posts, Al Qaeda sees the recent conflict in Pakistan as fertile ground to launch attacks that can eventually destabilize the country, at least according to intelligence officials. They also say that Al Qaeda is stepping up recruitment around the world, motivated by the potential terrorist takeover of a nuclear armed country, a move that will turn make the world a much more dangerous place. To the credit of coalition forces, Pakistan has intensified its offensive against the Taliban in the Swat Valley region and the United States is sending more troops to Afghanistan. The problem is that Al Qaeda, sensing a weak Pakistan and a US administration that is taking a more “measured” approach to the war on terror, may escalate its attacks in order to force a cease-fire in Pakistan that could result in more safe havens for the terrorist groups.

While the Obama administration continues its strategy in Afghanistan that focuses less on combat troops and more on military advisers and is seen replacing our top commander over there, the Taliban and Al Qaeda will point to our indecisiveness in this war as a sign that they are getting results. Already, the terrorists have the impression that Pakistan cannot stand up to a prolonged guerrilla conflict or terrorist offensive since this is not the first time that Pakistan has attacked the Taliban. Every other time, Pakistan has agreed to a cease-fire with the terrorists and the last agreement actually granted their demands for Sharia law (Islamic law) in certain districts. America must be more decisive in this war so that the enemy is not emboldened.

Another significant obstacle that the US military faces in its operations against Al Qaeda and the Taliban is the fact that both the Afghan and Pakistani governments have been protesting air strikes conducted by the US. In Afghanistan, the president Hamid Karzai has been protesting the death of civilians in air strikes that are aimed at neutralizing an enemy that hides among the local population and uses human shields. Karzai has gone as far as calling for an end to US air strikes. I am sure Al Qaeda and the Taliban are thrilled that they have the Afghan government on their side. Furthermore, the Pakistani government has denounced US drone strikes inside their country, for the obvious reasons of collateral damage and violation of sovereignty. The administration is even considering stopping these attacks which, up until two weeks ago, were the only actions being taken to fight the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Pakistan. Again, Al Qaeda and the Taliban are probably ecstatic that the Pakistani government is pressuring the US to stop these operations.

Will the United States Military be given the tools and the permission to go after the terrorists given the political climate? This is unknown as of yet. There are good signs and bad signs coming from Washington. Unfortunately, this uncertainty makes one thing certain: Al Qaeda will try to create more chaos anywhere and everywhere it can. Our soldiers can handle Al Qaeda, but not if we tie their hands and legs behind their back. The sooner they can do their job, the sooner they come home victorious… and to all the men and women fighting over there, know that the American people “got your back"…

-AG