Changes

==Terrorist activities from 1998 - 2008==

==Terrorist activities from 1998 - 2008==

Al Qaeda is responsible for the September 11, 2001 attack on the [[World Trade Center]] and [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]], the bombings of American embassies in [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]] in 1998, the October 2000 bombing of the [[USS Cole]], and numerous smaller attacks. The group's wing in Iraq is believed to be responsible for many of the attacks and bombings there. The 9/11 Commission Report cites Bin laden meeting with Iraqi intelligence officials in Khartoum as early as 1995. Bin Laden declined reported Iraqi offers of a safe haven, instead settling in Afghanistan. Friendly contacts between Iraqis and Bin Laden continued, though there is no evidence of an operational relationship between the two sides.  

Al Qaeda is responsible for the [[September 11, 2001 attack]] on the [[World Trade Center]] and [[The Pentagon|Pentagon]] killing 3000 Americans, the bombings of American embassies in [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]] in 1998, the October 2000 bombing of the [[USS Cole]], and numerous smaller attacks. The group's wing in Iraq, many of which came from Libya, was responsible for many of the insurgent attacks and bombings there. The 9/11 Commission Report cites Bin laden meeting with Iraqi intelligence officials in Khartoum as early as 1995. Bin Laden declined reported Iraqi offers of a safe haven, instead settling in Afghanistan. Friendly contacts between Iraqis and Bin Laden continued, though there is no evidence of an operational relationship between the two sides.  

"However difficult the fight in Iraq has become, we must win it," Mr. Bush said during a commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. "Al Qaeda is public enemy No. 1 for Iraq's young democracy. Al Qaeda is public enemy No. 1 for America as well." <ref>http://www.washtimes.com/national/20070523-115137-6054r.htm</ref>

"However difficult the fight in Iraq has become, we must win it," Mr. Bush said during a commencement speech at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. "Al Qaeda is public enemy No. 1 for Iraq's young democracy. Al Qaeda is public enemy No. 1 for America as well." <ref>http://www.washtimes.com/national/20070523-115137-6054r.htm</ref>

Some [[liberals]] seem to have a problem calling this group what it is, a terrorist organization, and prefer to call it a more "politically correct" term: ''militant organization''.

Some [[liberals]] seem to have a problem calling this group what it is, a terrorist organization, and prefer to use the more "politically correct" terms: ''militant organization'' and its members ''rebels''.

Today the al-qaeda is fighting in the [[Syrian Civil War]] against the syrian leader Assad.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/02/12/leader-al-qaeda-calls-on-muslims-to-help-syrian-rebels/</ref> A group called [[Ansar Dine]], which is connected with the al-Qaeda, fight against the government in [[Mali]].<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18870130</ref>

Today al-Qaeda is fighting in the [[Syrian Civil War]] against the Syrian leader [[Bashir Assad]].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/02/12/leader-al-qaeda-calls-on-muslims-to-help-syrian-rebels/</ref> A group called [[Ansar Dine]], which is connected with the al-Qaeda, fight against the government in [[Mali]].<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18870130</ref>

==Downplaying al Qaeda's significance in the early Obama era==

==Downplaying al Qaeda's significance in the early Obama era==