THE TELEGRAPH: The Bush administration is to be warned today that al-Qa'eda has rebuilt its operating capability to a level not seen since 2001, it was reported last night.
A new counter-terrorism study concludes that despite nearly six years of war, bombings and other tactics aimed at crippling its capability, the group has been able to rebuild to an "extent not seen" since around the time of the September 11 attacks.
The assessment by US intelligence analysts is to be discussed at the White House today as part of a broader meeting on an upcoming National Intelligence Estimate.
A counter-terrorism official who had seen a five-page summary of the report called it a stark appraisal of the threat the organisation poses.
Al-Qa'eda is "considerably operationally stronger than a year ago" and has "regrouped to an extent not seen since 2001", the official said, paraphrasing the report's conclusions. "They are showing greater and greater ability to plan attacks in Europe and the United States." Al-Qa'eda 'has been able to rebuild' (more)
Mark Alexander
