Do We Need to Fear al-Qaeda?

In my blog of last month, Is al-Qaeda Defeated?, I quoted a story by Peter Bergen, CNN’s National Security Analyst that pointed out several items that pointed to a weakened al-Qaeda. Peter has also written a book titled “Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for bin Laden — From 9/11 to Abbottabad”. His book is scheduled to release on April 30th (ironically the same date as Deadly Beliefs) by Random House. This book is dubbed as the definitive account of the ten years of pursuit of bin Laden. Peter had unprecedented access to White House officials, CIA analysts, Pakistani intelligence and the military. I’m anxious to read it and, based on the publisher’s promotion, I would recommend it to anyone interested on this subject.

In another article on CNN.com Peter is further building a case that core al-Qaeda is on its way to extinction Should We Still Fear al-Qaeda? . He builds a convincing case as a world renowned expert on the topic. Among other points he makes:

Al-Qaeda’s North African affiliate, Islamic Maghreb has had no known or aborted attacks in the West and quotes Camille Tawil who has covered Islamist militant groups for two decades.
He states that the core al-Qaeda is on its way to extinction – done strikes killed 38 al-Qaeda leaders in Pakistan. Bergen says, “Core al-Qaeda is going the way of the dodo.”
Many of their affiliates are in also in sad shape and lists several examples.
Yemen militants are also being decimated by drone strikes with 28 key members of the group being killed.

After building this case he concludes his article by stating that the jihadist violence is not over and points out some exceptions to the points he raised above – some areas of concern.

Now enter Deadly Beliefs – I am not for a minute going to argue with Peter Bergen but, as a fiction writer, I am going to take the concept that al-Qaeda is a ‘non-issue’ and create the opportunity for a world-wide simultaneous attack. It is interesting to read actual news articles that support my premise.