Competitive Intelligence

As We Commemorate 9/11, Al Qaeda Threat Persists

Coinciding with conclusions by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein against the aviation industry that the hijacking and crashing of a jetliner was a "foreseeable risk", America and the world mourned the 3,000 lives lost two years ago in acts of terrorism by suicidal extremists. The ruling opens the door to a possible rush of lawsuits from families of victims that died as a result of apparent negligence on the part of defendants American and United airlines, the Boeing Co. and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Hellerstein said that while terrorists had never flown airplanes into buildings before, "airlines reasonably could foresee that crashes causing death and destruction on the ground were a hazard that would arise should hijackers take control of a plane."

Elsewhere around the nation, memorials remembered those who died and those who acted to rescue others.

Still, other reports attest to Al Qaeda's "largely invisible but extensive presence in the United States that includes logistical support, recruiting and fund-raising operatives and financial conduits linking them to the terrorist organization's global network".

However, as the Washington Post reported, counter-terrorist efforts have made progress that might signal weaknesses, as evidenced by a decided shift in strategy by Al Qaeda in trying to open a front in Iraq:

"Two years after the attacks on the United States, Osama bin Laden's leadership cadre has been isolated and weakened and is increasingly reliant on the violent actions of local radicals around the world to maintain its profile. But the al Qaeda network is determined to open a new front in Iraq to sustain itself as the vanguard of radical Islamic groups fighting holy war, according to European, American and Arab intelligence sources."

Likewise, the FBI has all but given up hope of infiltrating terror cells using traditional means:

"The FBI has concluded that it may never be able to plant undercover agents inside al-Qaeda, and so agents are focusing more on recruiting terror operatives as informants and on continuing to get details from those already in custody."

And, Homeland Security is still struggling to get a foothold since it was chartered back in March by merging 22 federal agencies and 170,000 employees:

"Six months after it was established to protect the nation from terrorism, the Department of Homeland Security is hobbled by money woes, disorganization, turf battles and unsteady support from the White House, and has made only halting progress toward its goals, according to administration officials and independent experts. The top two officials under Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge are stepping down amid criticism from some White House officials and elsewhere in the administration. So few people want to work at the department that more than 15 people declined requests to apply for the top post in its intelligence unit -- and many others turned down offers to run several other key offices, government officials said."

Yet, there's a profound sense that the problems that still plague us are not insurmountable. As we memorialize fallen brethren, I'm sure we're all reminded how fragile our lives and our economy can be, even while our country remains strong and resolute.

- Arik