“In July 2007, a U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, a summary of sixteen American intelligence agencies, said that al Qaeda had reestablished its central organization, training infrastructure, and lines of global communication primarily due to its safe havens in FATA [Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas]. Mike McConnell, the director of national intelligence, said that al Qaeda was ‘working as hard as they can in positioning trained operatives here in the United States.’ “ [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Ahmed Rashid, Descent Into Chaos, Page 384