al Qaeda at pre-9/11 Strength...

Associated Press reports:

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded al-Qaida has rebuilt its operating capability to a level not seen since just before the 2001 terrorist attacks, The Associated Press has learned...

... Al-Qaida is "considerably operationally stronger than a year ago" and has "regrouped to an extent not seen since 2001," the official said, paraphrasing the report's conclusions. "They are showing greater and greater ability to plan attacks in Europe and the United States."

As a side note, Al-Qaeda had attacked 25 countries, many of them not involved in Iraq or Afghanistan, over the last 15 years.