Just three months ago, the common assumption was that al-Qaida was losing its importance in the Muslim world. The popular protests in Tunisia and Egypt appeared to herald a newer, younger, Internet-savvy, pro-democratic voice– a voice silenced by autocratic regimes for decades. Following the U.N.’s authorization of a no-fly zone over Libya, and a swift military intervention by international forces, those same pundits fear that al-Qaida might find new inspiration and opportunities for safe haven. Michael Scheuer, Former head of the CIA Bin Laden Tracking Unit, and author of the book “Osama Bin Laden” says that the U.S. is essentially providing air cover for al-Qaida.
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