Topic: Al Qaeda in Iraq

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Top 4 threats against America: the good and bad news

America’s top spy chiefs and intelligence experts come together every year to share their best guesses about the biggest threats that will face the country in the year ahead. Here are the top four pieces of good and bad news to come out of the annual threat-assessment hearing in Congress Tuesday.
The world in 2011: Trends and events to watch in every region

Monitor staff writers and correspondents in each of the world's regions share what they expect to be top headlines in 2011.
Gallery: Global Peace Index: The most and least peaceful nations in the world

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Will Al Qaeda cement its foothold in Syria?

The massacre in Houla, Syria, over the weekend pushed Russia to finally denounce the atrocities there. But Moscow also warned that the regime of Bashar al-Assad faces threats from Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda's future in Syria depends on how Sunnis there respond to foreign jihadi fighters.
Why Bin Laden disapproved of Al Qaeda in Yemen, Iraq, and Somalia

Osama bin Laden held some of the Al Qaeda franchises in disdain, according to the 17 letters released. Bin Laden also ordered an attack in 2010 on Air Force One, Obama's plane.
As Al Qaeda moves fight to Syria, violence in Iraq drops sharply

After Al Qaeda-affiliated fighters left Iraq to join the Syrian rebellion, violence has dropped in Iraq, in some areas by as much as 50 percent in just a few months.
Top US official: Al Qaeda in Iraq joining fight against Syria's Assad

Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper's comments marked the first time a top official publicly confirmed the involvement of AQI in Syria's uprising.
Terrorism & Security
After UN condemns Syria abuses, Assad rains artillery down on Homs

Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad redoubled his assault on the city of Homs after a symbolic UN General Assembly vote calling on him to step down.
Top 4 threats against America: the good and bad news

America’s top spy chiefs and intelligence experts come together every year to share their best guesses about the biggest threats that will face the country in the year ahead. Here are the top four pieces of good and bad news to come out of the annual threat-assessment hearing in Congress Tuesday.
Terrorism & Security
Northern Iraq bomb follows a deadly Iraqi weekend

A bomb killed eight people near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul today following a deadly weekend that raised concerns that sectarian tensions are on the rise once again.
Al Qaeda in Iraq claims responsibility for Baghdad bombings

Al Qaeda in Iraq, the group responsible for many of the deadliest attacks in the Iraq war, claimed responsibility for last week's bombings in Baghdad that killed 69.
Backchannels
Iraq war: Predictions made, and results

A look back at some of the predicted US outcomes for the Iraq war, and what happened.
Terrorism & Security
US formally draws curtain on the unpopular war in Iraq (video)

At the official flag-furling ceremony in Baghdad to end the war in Iraq, Secretary Panetta spoke highly of US soldiers' sacrifice. But both Iraqis and Americans appear happy for it to be over.
Cover Story
Iraq after the US: Will it survive? (video)

Iraqis harbor anger, deep concerns – and some optimism – as American troops withdraw after nearly nine years of war and occupation.
Progress Watch
Hurt by war in Iraq, a Baghdad museum reemerges

A new exhibit opened this month at the Iraqi Museum, providing one more sign that the worst horrors of the war in Iraq are receding and the country is settling into a new normal.
As US exits Iraq, a top general's warning

Gen. Lloyd Austin warned the Iraqi government about dangers from Al Qaeda in Iraq, as well as Iran-backed Shiite insurgent groups – the same players that have perennially dogged US forces.
Biggest threat to Iraq? Iran-backed militias, not Al Qaeda, US official says

The series of bombings that hit Iraq Monday bear the markings of Al Qaeda, but in the long term, Iran-backed militias are a greater problem, says a top US military official.
Backchannels
What the attacks in Iraq tell us [VIDEO]

Iraq's sectarian divisions are deep, militants both Sunni and Shiite still roam the landscape, and the US is no longer in a position to do much about it.
Backchannels
US 'offering' to keep troops in Iraq? More like begging for permission to stay.

The US appears desperate to keep troops in Iraq beyond this year's deadline. The Iraqis? Not so much.
New Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri: Do his flaws diminish group's threat?

Intelligence analysts say Ayman al-Zawahiri, the successor to Osama bin Laden, is disliked in Al Qaeda as an irritable micromanager, but he's also a skilled military tactician and should not be discounted.
CIA chief Leon Panetta: The next Pearl Harbor could be a cyberattack

Leon Panetta, at a confirmation hearing for the post of Defense secretary, says the US will need to take 'both defensive ... as well as aggressive measures' to deal with the threat of cyberattack.
Iraqi refugees in Kentucky charged with planning to help arm Al Qaeda

Two Iraqi refugees who came to the US in 2009 have been charged with plotting to send Stinger missiles to Al Qaeda in Iraq.
Qaddafi claims Al Qaeda could overrun Libya. Could it?

While most experts say Qaddafi is grossly exaggerating the influence of Al Qaeda, new questions are being raised about its true scope as Washington debates arming the opposition.
What are pros and cons of a no-fly zone over Libya?

As some Congressional leaders urges military intervention in Libya, the Pentagon emphasizes the difficulty of implementing a no-fly zone or other proposed military solutions.
US image problem grows as Afghanistan casualties mount

While insurgent-caused casualties are up, US-caused civilian casualties are down. Still, it only takes a couple of high profile incidents to negatively turn public opinion.
US reports 20 percent drop in Iraq violence

US military commanders in Baghdad today said that Iraqi forces are making security gains as the US prepares to withdraw all its troops by year's end.
Backchannels
Karbala and the surge of Iraq attacks

Suicide attacks on Shiite pilgrims. Mass murders of police. It's not 2006 in Iraq anymore, but sometimes it feels like it.
Terrorism & Security
Iraq's security forces targeted in two attacks

In Iraq, two attacks in two days on security forces are a sign that the country is still far from stable – though attacks on civilians are down.