According to a National Intelligence Estimate completed in April the U.S. occupation of Iraq is
the leading inspiration for new Islamic extremist networks and cells that are united by little more than an anti-Western agenda. Rather than contributing to eventual victory in the global counterterrorism struggle, it concludes that the situation in Iraq has worsened the U.S. position, according to officials familiar with the classified document.
Islamic extremists, motivating a new generation of potential terrorists around the world whose numbers are increasing faster than the United States and its allies are eliminating the threat, U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded . . .
According to officials familiar with the document, it describes the situation in Iraq as promoting the spread of radical Islam by providing a focal point, with constant reinforcement of an anti-American message for disaffected Muslims.
A U.S. intelligence official cited in this Washington Post article (republished here at MSNBC) stated that this report “is stating the obvious.”
This report is also at odds with numerous Bush speeches promoting the Iraq invasion and occupation as making progress in the Bushs alleged “war on terror.”
