Al-Qaida could be beaten in a few years, says head of FBI

[sabra]

Source: The Guardian

The head of the FBI predicted yesterday that al-Qaida could be defeated within a few years, far more quickly than senior counterterrorism officials and government ministers in Britain suggest. "I think we'll see victory on my watch," Robert Mueller said on a visit to London.

Mueller, 63, also sharply attacked the British ban on phone tap evidence in terrorist trials, describing it as "untenable". He said: "Some of the best evidence you get are the words coming out of the mouths of those who are being prosecuted."

Mueller, who was appointed FBI director a few days before the September 11 2001 attacks on the US, was answering questions after delivering a speech on global terrorism at Chatham House, the prominent British foreign affairs thinktank.

British security and intelligence chiefs and government ministers have warned that the fight against Islamist-inspired terrorism will last as long as a generation. Mueller's prediction that al-Qaida could be defeated before he retires came after an upbeat speech in which he praised close cooperation between US and British counterterrorist agencies. "Our information-sharing is getting faster, easier, and more detailed every day," he said. "This collaboration is the future of counterterrorism."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/08/alqaida.terrorism

[Nickster]

1. Mueller displays his ignorance of counter-terrorism. Very comforting.

[LynnTheDem]

2. BRING 'EM ON!!11!1!

Rightwingnuts; truly the stupidest MFers ever.

[panader0]

3. I say Bull

The ideology behind al-Queda can't be beaten. They will dissolve only when the US no longer is in the Middle East.

[atreides1]

4. On "his watch"

If a Democrat wins the White House, Mueller's "watch" will probably be over.

[Astrad]

5. Makes sense

Millions of disenfranchised young men across the muslim world who have been and are being radicalized by militant Islam will, in few years, say 'this war on terrorism's just too tough, I quit.' YEah I can see it.

[tanyev]

6. And then only 90 more years to get the troops out of Iraq.

[MidwestTransplant]

7. Maybe Mr. Mueller hasn't figured out that Al Qaeda doesn't wear a uniform but is an ideology.

I agree we will make some good progress against them in the next few years with Obama or even Clinton as President as their recruits will dry up. If McSame wins, it will get worse and for longer.

[defendandprotect]

8. Maybe someone should tell him that our CIA created the Taliban/AlQaeda --- !!!

Our CIA financed the Taliban creation thru ISI/Pakistan ---

[RC]

9. Gotta keep that Military, Industrial complex money flowing.

It's the only thing keeping this country financially afloat.

[Virginia Dare]

10. Just keep killing those number 2's and 3's..

the old attrition strategy...:eyes:

[Javaman]

11. victory on his watch? is that another way of saying, "we've turned a corner"??? nt

[Parche]

12. We Have To Kill The Number 2 Guy Before That Can Happen

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

:hi:

[booley]

13. Speaking of which

just how many number 2's have we killed so far?

[Igel]

14. AQ's #2? Not "AQ-in-Iraq #2s"?

So far, we've killed precisely zero #2s for AQ-not-in-Iraq.

The Egyptian doctor that was involved in the Egyptian JI and that we knew about before 9/11 is still there.

[booley]

15. I can't even keep track anymore

Shrub's lies and spin comes and goes so fast, i can't keep up.

I am still getting over how before everyone the US was fighting in Iraq was Al Queda. Now those same people are on "our side" fighting Al Queda.

[olddad56]

16. the ones in custody are being beaten now.