Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was assassinated In May 2011. The assassination was an impressive success for the Americans, even if the victory was largely symbolic. Bin Laden's Egyptian deputy, Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri, assumed command of al-Qaida, and the organization's jihadist branches returned to operation. Perhaps there have not been any major achievements, but the desire to hit the West has not waned.
U.S. President Barack Obama is convinced that Washington is winning the war on terror, and is very eager to bring the troops back from Afghanistan, following Iraq. Officials in Washington are under the impression that al-Qaida is on the defensive and is on the way to total defeat. This is a mistake.
The American decision to shut its embassies on Islamic lands in the Middle East and North Africa (and also in Israel) because of serious threats proves again just how difficult it is to defeat terrorism, and how it still has the ability, even today, to damage the world's pre-eminent superpower. The fact that Israel is also on the list is another reminder of the type of neighborhood we live in and what threats we face.
In an article published in Israel Hayom over the weekend, Dr. Dore Gold mentioned the prison breaks at Abu Ghraib and Taji prisons, in which 500 al-Qaida operatives escaped. Gold quoted James Jeffrey, the former U.S. ambassador in Iraq, who warned that the extremist terrorist organization is capable today of capturing Abu Ghraib prison or the "Green Zone" where the U.S. embassy is located. In the meantime, the security situation in Iraq is steadily deteriorating. American forces have pulled out, leaving no one in their stead to handle the job.
London, Paris and Berlin have also decided to keep some of their embassies closed, particularly their embassies in Sana'a, Yemen, where one of al-Qaida's major branches operates. Only in Syria and Iraq is al-Qaida more prominent. Foreign nationals have received directives to avoid traveling alone. Aside from terrorist attacks, the West is also worried about kidnappings, which is another acceptable jihadist modus operandi.
America is also concerned about revenge. Zawahiri blames the Americans, along with the Egyptian army, for deposing the Muslim Brotherhood and robbing it of its power. For Zawahiri, the events in Egypt are personal. He very much wants to put his stamp on developments there.
U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey said the terrorists' target is unknown, but their goal is "clear to all." The Americans already have a history of attacks at their embassies. After the deadly attack at the Benghazi embassy in Libya last Sept. 11, Washington is not taking any chances.
America yearns to leave the Middle East. Al-Qaida will not grant it that pleasure so quickly.
And one more word, on a personal note. I do not envy the diplomats who are forced to stay home today. I recall receiving similar terror warnings in Mauritania. It is not a nice feeling as a diplomat to be caged in your home.
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