reconstituting terrorist groups among our allies


Summer NIE estimate: "In some ways, the most startling assertion made was that al Qaeda has reconstituted itself in Pakistan. What is startling is that it appears to acknowledge that the primary U.S. mission in the war -- the destruction of al Qaeda -- not only has failed to achieve its goal, but also has done little more than force al Qaeda out of Afghanistan and into Pakistan." ("Week out of Focus: Washington, Iraq and Al Qaeda," By George Friedman, 17 July 2007, Geopolitical Intelligence Report, Stratfor)

diplomatic surge working: for now

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker met Aug. 6 with Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Hassan Kazemi Qomi and Iraqi National Security Adviser Muwaffaq al-Rubaie. Separately, a committee of Iranian, Iraqi and U.S. officials held its first meeting on Iraqi security, following up on an agreement reached at a July ambassadorial-level meeting. ("The Major Diplomatic and Strategic Evolution in Iraq," By George Friedman, 8 July 2007, Geopolitical Intelligence Report, Stratfor)