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U.S.: Al Qaeda Is Crippled

White House weighs speedy Afghan exit.

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Brian Ferguson, U.S. Air Force / Getty Images

Mission accomplished? Top U.S. officials say that al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan has become so crippled and ineffective that a rapid pullout of American troops is on the table. Thirty top insurgents identified by U.S. intelligence have been winnowed down to 10 in the last year and half, officials said, thanks to drone strikes and other secret missions. Intel gathered at the compound of Osama bin Laden reportedly confirms that the terror network is in disarray and not in a strong position to organize attacks. The military, however, is pressing Obama to remove only a few thousand troops this year.

Read it at The New York Times

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