In the NIE headlines, the key word is leverage

A very politically cautious section of the NIE on Al Qaeda was declassified today (pdf.) Perhaps the most convoluted section is the one on Al Qaeda in Iraq.

(W)e assess that al-Qa'ida will probably seek to leverage the contacts and capabilities of al-Qa'ida in Iraq (AQI), its most visible and capable affiliate and the only one known to have expressed a desire to attack the Homeland. In addition, we assess that its association with AQI helps al-Qa'ida to energize the broader Sunni extremist community, raise resources and to recruit and indoctrinate operatives, including for Homeland attack.

The key word in that section is leverage. The NIE does not say that Al Qaeda in Iraq intends to attack the US, just that it is "known to have expressed a desire." The NIE does not say that "corporate" Al Qaeda in Pakistan intends to utilize AQI to mount attacks on the US.

Very carefully obscured by the use of the word "leverage," this NIE says that the "corporate" Al Qaeda wants to attack the US, is planning such attacks, and that the battle in Iraq is helping them gain recruits, support, and resources for that attack.

Al Qaeda wasn't in Iraq until the invasion.

Side Notes: 1) This NIE was completed June 21, so everytime over the last month that this administration spoke of Al Qaeda, AQI, and the Iraq war, they knew what was in this and told their lies anyhow. From Pres. Press Conference July 12, 2007.

My attitude is we ought to defeat them there so we don't have to face them here....

The same folks that are bombing innocent people in Iraq were the ones who attacked us in America on September the 11th...

2) Also with this NIE in hand, the US administration is more or less allowing the Pakistanis to try and revive the "peace deal" in the tribal provinces which would continue the current Al Qaeda safe haven. (NYTimes, AFP)