While the U.S. is bogged down in Iraq, al-Qaeda is opening up new fronts elsewhere

[Don_1967]

. This summer, an individual listed by the U.S. State Department as a suspected al-Qaeda collaborator was named as the new leader of a militia that seized control of Somalia's capital. As Sen. Russ Feingold (R-WI) pointed out at the time, While we were asleep at the switch we are losing the battle to al Qaeda.....We've spent $2 million in Somalia in the last year while we are spending $2 billion a week in Iraq. Now those Islamists control most of the country,and Somalia is threatening to become Africa's Afghanistan. Extremist elements throughout the Middle Eastincluding Iran, Syria, Egypt, and Libya, have provided aid and arms to Somalia's Islamist movement, according to a new United Nations report, and American officials are reportedly concerned that Somalia could offer the kind of training bases for al-Qaeda elements that were once provided by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

[Kagemusha]

1. That's all true but, do we want to be in Somalia instead of Iraq?

My animal brain screams that it wouldn't be much of an improvement.

[Don_1967]

2. NO

But we do need to stay on top of Al-Qaeda.

[Parche]

3. al-kida

The CIA is opening up new fronts.......????/ where where???

[AIJ Alom]

4. Please correct. The (R-WI) should be (D-WI).

Of course they are opening new fronts, because we are fighting a conventional war against an unconventional enemy.

[Monkeyman]

5. Last report they where in 50 Countries

[Vogon_Glory]

6. Connies and Rethugs In Denial about Somalia

So-called "conservatives" and Republicans are in denial about Somalia, just as they were too busy talking about cigars and stained blue dresses back in 1998, when Osama bin Laden's thugs blew up two US embassies in East Africa and issued a fatwa calling for killing Americans everywhere. Whenever I've brought up the matter, the right-wing Morans either dodge the subject or try to talk about Democrats "cutting and running."

Here's some interesting table talk for people with die-hard Clinton-hating relatives or Dubya-loving friends. Afghanistan may have been toppling to the Taliban back in 2000, but it took a "conservative" Republican like no. 43 to fritter away his gains in Afghanistan, then go on to botch Iraq and lose Somalia.

I am still in shock and awe of the Far right's denial and incompetence. I'm beginning to think that the US would be better off if Dubya and Cheney resigned and Maxwell Smart was appointed to fill out the remainder of Dubya's Presidential term.