Joint Chiefs Chair Says Al Qaeda in Iraq Has Been 'Devastated'

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. — A string of setbacks for Al Qaeda's affiliate in Iraq has left the insurgent group "devastated" and struggling to cope with a double whammy of a leadership vacuum and a money squeeze, the top U.S. military officer said Sunday.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he found it particularly encouraging that gains against Al Qaeda have been made in operations carried out jointly by U.S. and Iraqi military forces. That makes it more likely, Mullen said, that after U.S. troops leave in 2011 the Iraqi government will be able to handle what remains of Al Qaeda's capability to launch terror strikes.

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Erod said:

FOXNews.com - Joint Chiefs Chair Says Al Qaeda in Iraq Has Been 'Devastated'



Rooting out terrorists takes time. Anyone who thought otherwise was just looking at the war through a bumper sticker.

Long way to go, but we're aren't in the quagmire as described. The only thing that could derail this is to start withdrawing troops too early.

However, if we don't get our border situation in order, we'll pay some heavy prices before this threat is truly under our thumb.

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reefedjib said:

There is still an uptick in violence in-country. This is presumably from al'Qaeda, so their being devastated hasn't reached the ranks where they can pull off attacks.

What border are you talking about?

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Erod said:

Any border of the U.S. The more desperate they get, the more apt they are to strike anywhere they can as fast as they can.

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reefedjib said:

So be it. We will react after the attack, if they lauch one. Me thinks they have their hands full overseas....the Bush Strategy.

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